Earl Gage Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Earl Gage Jr.
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| Born | November 19, 1926 |
| Died | July 30, 2017 Elk Grove, California, United States
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| Nationality | American |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Education | San Francisco City College |
| Alma mater | University of California, Berkeley |
| Occupation | Firefighter |
| Known for | First Black firefighter in San Francisco, California |
| Spouse(s) | Blondell Wright |
| Children | 1 |
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Earl Gage Jr. (born 1926 – died 2017) was an important American firefighter. He made history as the first Black firefighter in San Francisco, California. For 12 years, he was the only Black firefighter in the department. During his 28-year career, Earl Gage Jr. worked hard to bring more diversity to the fire department.
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Who Was Earl Gage Jr.?
Earl Gage Jr.'s Early Life
Earl Gage Jr. was born in 1926 in Beaumont, Texas. In 1945, his family moved to San Francisco. He had two sisters and four brothers. Earl Gage Jr. studied at San Francisco City College and the University of California, Berkeley. He also served in the United States Army.
Becoming a Firefighter
The San Francisco Fire Department hired Earl Gage Jr. in 1955. This was a big step, as he became the first Black firefighter in the city.
Facing Challenges as a Pioneer
Being the first often means facing tough challenges. Earl Gage Jr. experienced unfair treatment because of his race, especially during the 12 years he was the only Black firefighter. For example, some firefighters would not want to use a mattress he had slept on. Because of this, he had to carry his own mattress to different fire stations.
Working for Change
Even with these difficulties, Earl Gage Jr. worked to make things better. As early as 1969, he started asking for more diversity in the fire department. He wanted people from all backgrounds to have a chance to become firefighters.
He later moved from fighting fires to a new role. He became the director of community services. This was the first time a Black person held such a high position in the department. In this role, he worked to recruit new firefighters. He focused on making the staff more diverse. He even hired Robert Demmons, who later became San Francisco's first Black fire chief.
Earl Gage Jr. also helped improve the entrance exams for new recruits. He made sure the tests were fair and allowed more people to pass. He also brought back fun programs for the community. These included field trips for children to visit fire stations. He also helped organize holiday decorations at firehouses.
Retirement and Lasting Impact
Earl Gage Jr. retired in 1983 after 28 years of service. Even after he retired, his work for diversity continued. In 1987, his name was part of an agreement to increase diversity in the fire department. This included both racial and gender diversity. After retiring, he also worked as a real estate broker.
Earl Gage Jr.'s Legacy
Earl Gage Jr. passed away on July 30, 2017, in Elk Grove, California. His funeral was held at the Third Baptist Church in San Francisco.
At his funeral, people started talking about naming a street after him. In 2020, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to rename part of Willow Street in his honor. This shows how much he was respected and how important his work was.
Personal Life
In 1952, Earl Gage Jr. married Blondell Wright. He became a Catholic to marry her.
