VBI HISTORY

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Upon blacks entering the Baltimore City Fire Department in 1953., the fire department was like a "private club" for white males only.

When the first blacks were admitted to the fire department, they had to deal with segregated beds, toilets and face bowls. Many were not allowed to use the same kitchen utensils, drink coffee or read the daily newspapers, which were paid for through a common pool (fund) exclusively for whites. Certain firehouses had "reserved" signs placed over some beds, toilets, face bowls and tables, "Reserved for colored people."

Blacks were not allowed to join the local union until eight years after they broke the department's color line. It was a long and bitter battle, full of racial tension, disappearing rules, double standards and rowdy intimidation. With the help of some fair thinking whites, the law firm of Brown, Alien and Watts, labor leader A. Phillip Randolph, the N.A.A.C.P., the Urban League and S.A.F.F., the local union leader along with the Board of Fire Commissioners reluctantly agreed to bring the "Negro issue" to the floor. Blacks were still denied the right to join Local 734. Finally, in 1961, the union agreed to admit blacks but only upon payment of an unjust monetary penalty.

During that period, many Blacks proved their worth and ability to perform their duties as well as their white counterparts. Fire Fighter John Johnson of Engine 30 (deceased during the 60's) became the first black to receive the Meritorious Conduct Award for Heroic acts in 1954. Fire Fighter Herman Williams was the first black promoted to the rank of Fire Pump Operator in 1959 but was not allowed to drive the fire apparatus to a fire. Brother Williams is now (RETIRED)Chief of the Fire Department of the City of Baltimore. Fire Fighter James "Bus" Chambers was promoted to Fire Pump Operator in 1960. In 1961, Fire Fighter James Thomas became the first black promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.

All of the racial controversy encountered by Baltimore black fire fighters served as a solidifying force and as a result, three black fire fighters' organizations were born. The first of these organizations was named the Social Association of Fire Fighters (S.A.F.F.) The President was Charles R. Thomas and their main purpose was to integrate the white "Jim Crow" union. After this task was accomplished, they soon disbanded. The second black organization was known as Los Diakanos with Charles R. Thomas, President; Ernest Barnes, Vice President; Howard Tucker, Secretary; Lawrence Holly, Treasurer; and Robert Sisco, Business Manager. This social organization sponsored numerous entertainment events in Baltimore and other cities and states along the East Coast. Most of its proceeds were earmarked for charitable contributions. They established contact with other black fire fighter organizations across the country.

During the mid-sixties, the Civil Rights Movement climaxed under the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blacks united for equal rights and an era to racial discrimination. In September 1969, the city of New York, a group of black fire fighters answered the call to unify and fight discrimination and racism within the fire services across the nation. Eleven black Baltimore City fire fighters attended that conference.

On October 3, 1970, in Hartford, Connecticut, under the leadership of David J. Floyd, a New York City fire fighter, the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters was born. Their main purpose was to upgrade the rank of blacks within their fire departments; to recruit more blacks and minorities into the fire service and to insure fair treatment of all. The New York City black fire fighters organization is known as the Vulcan Society, Inc. founded in 1940.

In 1970, the Vulcan Blazers of Baltimore City, Inc. was officially born with Charles R. Thomas elected as President. John R. Johnson, 1st Vice President; Francis R. Handy, 2nd Vice President; Howard Owens, Secretary; Henry Fowlkes, Treasurer; John O. Fryer, Financial Secretary and Bernard Scott, Sergeant-at-Arms. The original trustees were Ernest Barnes, Lawrence Holly, and Calvin Brown.

The founding members in their desire to find a name for their organization felt that being associated with the already established Vulcan Society of New York and in addition choosing a name that dealt with their profession as fire fighters would be most appropriate. The name "Vulcan" in Roman mythology is the "god of fire". "Blazers" was chosen to symbolize the path we intend to cut through racism and bigotry in our plight for the upward mobility of the black and minority fire fighter.

In 1971, four black plaintiffs (all members of the Vulcan Blazers) filed a class action suit against the City of Baltimore, the Fire Department and the Civil Service Commission charging discrimination in employment. Under the astute legal counsel of Attorney Ken Johnson in the court case of 1971, the four plaintiffs, Louis Harper (1^st Black Captain in Baltimore City Fire Department), Thomas Deshields, Alphonso Thornton and Carl McDonald were able to win the first discriminatory case of its kind for black fire fighters in the nation. This modern day "Whistle Blowers" had the profound effect of altering the level of the playing field for minorities in fire departments across America.

The results of the class action racial discrimination suit in 1971 proved that the Baltimore City Fire Department had discriminated against Blacks. The Board of Fire Commissioners in 1971 sanctioned the Vulcan Blazers, Inc. of Baltimore City to be an advocacy organization in the Baltimore City Fire Department to represent their members and to ensure all fire department personnel would receive fair and equal treatment. The Reverend Marion C. Bascom and Konstantine J. Prevas (former board members) were extremely helpful and for that, we are eternally grateful.

Not all of our goals have been strictly fire department oriented. In partnership with the Mayor and citizens of Baltimore, we are participants in the Mayor's "Adopt a School" program. We have adopted two area elementary schools and assist them not only financially with their curricular enhancement programs but also in many other ways. We can live up to our motto, "Dedicated to the Community". The Vulcan’s provide Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets to the needy; annual holiday luncheons and monthly entertainment for senior citizens; Halloween and Christmas parties for children and donations to charitable causes. We are proud to serve the community.

Other significant firsts: Brother Clyde Smith was our first instructor assigned to Fire School, also, our first Battalion Chief, our first Deputy Chief, and our first Assistant Chief. Brother Louis "Jake" Harper was our first Lieutenant promoted to Captain. Sister Bertha Butler was our first female in the fire department and the first female promoted to Lieutenant in the Medical Bureau. Sister Minnie Brissett was our first female promoted to Lieutenant and Captain in the Communications Division. Brother William O. Collie, Jr. was our first Lieutenant Pilot assigned to the Fire Boats. Brother Robert Sisco was our first Fire Boat Engineer. Brother Lloyd Marcus was our first assigned to the Ambulance Division. Brother Matthew C. Goodwyn was our first assigned to the Communications Division. Brother James Britton was our first promoted to Lieutenant in Communications. Brother John R. Johnson was our first Lieutenant, Captain and Chief of the Medical Bureau. Brother Carl E. McDonald was our first Battalion Commander and first Shift Commander. Brother Francis R. Handy was our first permanent assigned Aide to Chief #7 (red car driver). Brother Harold Mason was our first Captain and Chief of the Communications Division. Sister Vernese Hilton-Osborne was our first female fire fighter promoted to Pump Operator assigned E-36. Sister Vernese Hilton-Osborne is our first female to be promoted to the rank of Suppression Lieutenant. She is currently assigned to E-40.

In February 2004, the Baltimore City Fire Department hired an "all white class" fifty years after the first African American was hired by the Baltimore City Fire Department the Fire Department. This created quite a controversy and made national news. The Vulcan Blazers worked closely with the Fire Department to totally revamp the hiring process and spearheaded a minority recruitment campaign that resulted in the hiring of over 65% African Americans in the next 150 candidates hired.

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03/24/2006 12:31:23 PM