BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : THE EARLY SEGREGATED AFRICAN AMERICAN FIRE FIGHTER IN THE UNITED STATES :

The Segregated Years

October 1897 to September 1956

Roster of the BBlac Firemen 1897 to 1956

BLACK               SOCIAL                 HISTORY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Call Fireman Sam Haskins Engine Company No. 4 Call Fireman Sam Haskins is the earliest known black man to work on the Los Angeles Fire Department.  Born a slave in Virginia, Haskins came to Los Angeles sometime in 1880.  In 1892 Haskins worked as a "Call Fireman", a paid position that was part time, filling in for members off sick or on vacation.  Most call firemen eventually filled  a permanent position when one became available.  On November 19, 1895 an alarm came into Engine Company No. 2 located at 2127 East First Street.  The Engine Company responded, the hose wagon leading the way, the steam engine following.  Sam Haskins climbed on the rear tailboard of the engine alongside of the engineer.  Hitting rough pavement on North Main Street, Haskins lost his balance and fell forward into the large wheel on the left side of the boiler.  He was fatally crushed and died a short time later at the Engine House.  Sam Haskins was a well liked person around town and had many friends.  He was the first member of the department to die in the line of duty and his funeral was attended by Chief Walter S. Moore, his assistant, Ed R. Smith and  Ira J. Francis, the electrician.  A large detail of thirty men from the fire department as well as members of the police department attended.  The cortege was headed by a band and Chief Moore delivered a grave side address.         The death of fireman Haskins prompted Councilman Ashman to direct the Fire Commission to organize an Engine Company to be composed of colored men.  A motion was put forward to the Fire Commission on November 26, 1895. Shown seated on the Hose Jumper next to the man with the white shirt sleeves, this is the only know picture of Call Fireman Sam Haskins. Call Fireman Sam Haskin

The Reference Source for this section is "The LAFD Centennial 1886-1986"  pages 92, 146-153 by Paul Ditzel. Lieutenant George W. Bright George W. Bright, hired October 2, 1897, was the first black member of the Los Angeles Fire Department.  He was appointed by the Fire Commission as a callman and assigned to Engine Co. No. 6.  Less than a month later on November 1, 1897 Bright was promoted to a full-time hoseman and assigned to Engine Co. No. 3.  On January 31, 1900 He was promoted to Driver Third Class and assigned to Chemical Engine Co. No. 1. George W. Bright 1900 George Washington Bright was born in 1862. He was a teamster prior to being hired by the LAFD. The City Fire Department Report of 1905 shows Lt. Bright assigned to Chemical Company No. 1 and living next door at 125 Belmont Ave. On August 1, 1902 George Bright was promoted to Lieutenant. In those days chief officers made the promotions. However, before the commission would certify his promotion, Bright, being the first colored to express desires for such advancement was required to go to the Second Baptist Church and obtain an endorsement from his Minister and congregation.                              Chemical Co. No.1 / Hose Company No. 4                                                 Segregation Begins The Department, to avoid Bright from commanding white firemen, gathered up all the colored and Mexican-American firemen and formed the city's first all-black fire company: Chemical Co. No.1 at 137 S. Belmont (129 Loma) Drive, across the street from the present site of Belmont High School. W. W. Glenn 1900 Prior to segregation Hoseman Glenn was assigned to Engine Company No. 4 Chemical Company No. 1 Chemical Company No. 1137 S. Loma Dr. Circa 1902  Equipment--One Champion Chemical Engine, double tank, each 50-gallon capacity, and 200 feet of chemical hose Chemical Company No. 1