BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN SWORN IN AS DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF IN TRENTON - " HOMER RAWSON " : GOES INTO THE " HALL OF BLACK HEROES "

BLACK  SOCIAL  HISTORY                                                                                                                                                                                           First African-American sworn in as deputy fire chief in Trentonl

By Alex Zdan/The Times 

.Leonard Carmichael Jr., hand raised, takes the oath to be sworn in as Deputy Chief of the Trenton Fire Department. To right and holding the Bible is Carmichael's grandfather, Lindsey W. Page Sr. The ceremony took place in council chambers at Trenton City Hall Friday. Back to camera is Deputy City Clerk Cordelia Staton (left) and Fire Director Qareeb Bashir (right).Alex Zdan /The Times TRENTON — Homer Rawson, the city’s first black fire officer, would be proud.

Leonard Carmichael Jr., a 22-year veteran of the city fire department who has called Rawson an inspiration, yesterday became the first African-American to be sworn in as deputy fire chief.
Carmichael, who served as acting fire director in 2010, took the oath yesterday afternoon in city council chambers in front of his family, colleagues and friends. Rawson, the first black firefighter to be named captain, passed away several years ago, but Carmichael invoked Rawson’s name as he spoke of the special calling to protect life and property that bonds all firefighters together.
“When that bell rings, everything goes away,” Carmichael said.
The promotion ceremony, attended by the 17 Trenton Fire Academy recruits now in training, also saw Firefighter David Jobes receive a promotion to captain. Jobes, who saw a planned promotion canceled once before, said the rank was 30 years in coming.
Jobes joined the fire department in 1992.
“He’s an outstanding gentleman, and most deserving, and I know he worked hard to get to this position,” Fire Director Qareeb Bashir said.
Carmichael joined the fire department in 1991, rose to captain in 2001 and was named a battalion chief in 2009. He had been acting deputy chief since last November.
“We really don’t have enough time, because we would probably be here till 8 o’clock tonight with all the commendations and certifications he has,” Bashir said.
In remarks after he was formally promoted, Carmichael heaped praise on his mother and his hometown where he says he found his footing.
“Well, I got that foundation right here in the City of Trenton,” he said.
In addition to Rawson, Carmichael said one of his mentors was former Police Chief Ernie Williams, the first African-American to serve in that post. It was then-Public Safety Director Williams who called Carmichael and let him know he had a job as a city firefighter.
“He said, ‘I just want one thing from you: go as far as you can go,’” Carmichael said.
Trenton firefighters put in an amazing effort every day, he said, from assisting with a deadly standoff three weeks ago to freeing an entrapped man and two horses from a wreck on the New Jersey Turnpike last year.
“I am truly honored and grateful to work alongside these men and women who are just, they’re extraordinary human beings,” Carmichael said.
With two new leaders in the ranks and new firefighters on the way, Bashir said yesterday was a great day for the Trenton Fire Department.
“I think the city of Trenton can be assured their fire service is in good hands,” Bashir said.