The STENTORIANS was founded in 1954 by African-American firefighters of the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD). Their purpose and goal was to band together and address the discrimination and segregation challenges in the LAFD. The name STENTORIANS was selected for its appropriateness from the word Stentor, a Greek Herald described in the Iliad as having the voice of 50 men; extremely loud, powerful and audible, expressing a very forceful sound.

The STENTORIANS began to gain African-Americans members from the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD), as they were gradually hired in the early 1950’s.

As a result the Los Angeles County STENTORIANS was formed. Today, the STENTORIANS’ membership consists of over 500 men and women, active and retired, sworn and non-sworn and from all races throughout the Southern California area. The STENTORIANS belong to the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters (I.A.B.P.F.F.), a National Organization in which the STENTORIANS are a charter member.