Vulcan Blazers facts for kids
| Type | Fraternal society |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Represent the interests of African-American firefighters |
| Headquarters | Baltimore, Maryland. United States |
The Vulcan Blazers is a group based in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a fraternal organization for African-American firefighters and paramedics. They help more than 300 full-time fire and rescue workers. Since 1970, they have worked to support African-American firefighters. They have grown to include members from all over the state.
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How the Vulcan Blazers Started
The Vulcan Blazers began in 1970. They are connected to the IABPFF. In 1973, they became the first minority group to win a lawsuit about unfair hiring. This victory helped more minority firefighters join the Baltimore fire service. It also opened the door for other groups to fight for fairness. The main goal of the Vulcan Blazers is to help the community. They work on social issues, support schools, and guide young people interested in fire service jobs.
A Look Back: History of Black Firefighters in Baltimore
African-Americans have been part of the Baltimore City Fire Department for a long time. In 1949, a man named Smokestack Hardy and other helpers pushed the Mayor. They wanted to become permanent, paid firefighters. During World War II, many firefighters joined the army. So, fire helpers were used to fight fires in Baltimore. Hardy was the first to be officially certified as a firefighter. He kept helping even after the war.
In 1953, the fire academy accepted its first class that included African-Americans. Many of the earlier helpers were too old by then. But Charles Miller, Charles L. Scott, and Roy Parker became full firefighters. Charles L. Scott scored number one on the civil service test. Before this, the Fire Department was like a "private club" for white men.
When black firefighters joined, they faced many challenges. They had separate beds, toilets, and washrooms. Sometimes, they couldn't use the same kitchen items or drink from the same coffee pot. Some firehouses even had "Reserved" signs for black firefighters. These problems happened in many places, not just Baltimore.
In 1954, Firefighter Jack Johnson was the first black firefighter to get a Meritorious Service Award. In 1959, Herman Williams was the first black person promoted to Engine Engineer. But he was not allowed to drive the fire truck to a fire. He later became the Chief of the BCFD in 1992. In 1960, James Thomas was the first black person promoted to Lieutenant.
Black firefighters in the BCFD were not allowed to join the local union until 1961. Since they couldn't join the union, they formed their own group. It was called the Social Association of Fire Fighters (SAFF). They met at James Crockett's house. The SAFF leaders visited the Vulcan Society in New York City. They were advised to take legal action. With help from lawyers and groups like the NAACP and the Urban League, they fought for their rights. Eventually, the union allowed black members, but they had to pay a special fee.
In 2003, some of the first black recruits from Engine House 36 met to remember their history. This firehouse was where 10 men first broke the color barrier. All of them had been members of the Vulcan Blazers. The city later renamed Engine Company 36 the Charles R. Thomas Sr. Engine Company. This was in honor of Charles R. Thomas, a leader of the SAFF. It was the third firehouse named after a black firefighter. In 2015, the Baltimore City Council honored these black firefighters. They thanked them for their service and their membership in the Vulcan Blazers.
Working with the IABPFF
In 1969, minority firefighters from across the country met in New York City. They were there for the first meeting of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters. The next year, in Hartford, Connecticut, the SAFF leaders helped form this organization. When they returned to Baltimore, they officially became the Vulcan Blazers. Their first goal was to find lawyers. They wanted to fight the unfair treatment and promotion practices in the fire department.
In 1971, four Vulcan Blazers members filed a lawsuit in federal court. They said the Baltimore City Fire Department was unfair to black firefighters in hiring and promotions. The judge found that there was a pattern of unfair treatment. He ordered that promotions be stopped until more diverse firefighters were promoted. After the lawsuit ended in 1973, the BCFD appointed an African American Fire Chief. Several black officers were also promoted to high ranks.
Tax Exemption for the Blazers
In 1989, the city of Baltimore tried to charge the Vulcan Blazers an amusement park tax. This happened after their hall was checked and found to have underpaid taxes. The court sided with the city at first. But after a check by federal tax authorities, the organization was given special tax protection. The Vulcan Blazers were found to be a "Labor, agricultural, or horticultural organization." This meant they did not have to pay federal or state income tax.
Other Important Actions by Vulcan Blazers
In 2007, the Vulcan Blazers spoke out about problems at the Fire Academy. A trainee firefighter had died during a training exercise. The Blazers called for changes in leadership. They felt that diverse classes were being treated more harshly than previous all-white classes. After their calls, some training officers were disciplined, and the head of the academy was replaced.
Later, there were rumors of cheating by black candidates on exams for Lieutenant and Captain. The president of the Vulcan Blazers said these rumors were unfair and racially motivated. In 2011, a judge dismissed the discrimination charges. The decision said that the black candidates' earlier scores were too low for them to have achieved the highest scores without cheating.
In 2011, Lloyd Carter, a former diversity officer for the BCFD, sued the city. He claimed he was treated unfairly because of his race. The Vulcan Blazers supported him in this lawsuit. Carter was also a past president of the Vulcan Blazers. The Blazers have also sued over low minority hiring and unfair practices. A similar lawsuit by minority police officers in 2009 led to a large settlement. This showed the lack of diversity in hiring for police and fire departments.
On November 14, 2014, Lt. James Bethea, a fire safety officer, died in the line of duty. He was a lifelong member of the Vulcan Blazers and very active in his community. His death led the department to consider new safety rules, like having safety officers work in pairs. Lt. Bethea was part of the 1973 BCFD class. This class was hired because of the discrimination lawsuit brought by the Vulcan Blazers.
Promotions and Diversity
In 2013, Captain Charline B. Stokes was promoted to Battalion Chief for Community Outreach. She was the first African American woman to reach this rank in the Baltimore City Fire Department's 154-year history. Niles R. Ford, an African-American, is the current Fire Chief of the BCFD.
The department has also updated its physical test guidelines. The IAFF and IAFC worked with fire departments and unions. They created a new test called the "IAFF/IAFC Candidate Physical Ability Test" (CPAT).
Based on these changes, the BCFD has a new goal for diversity. They want their firefighters to reflect the diverse communities they serve. The CPAT helps find people who are physically ready for the job. It also aims to remove unfair barriers. This helps the fire department build a strong team that includes people from all backgrounds. They actively look for qualified men and women from all racial and ethnic groups to join the fire service.
