Urban Firefighters
The most well-known volunteer group was called Original 38’s, Company Number 1; they were the first to create an organized system with a board of officers while also building the first fire truck company in LA. These men would organize fundraisers to support their efforts to keep the city safe.[1] It wasn’t until 1886 that the volunteer groups banded together and were recognized by the city government as the Los Angeles Fire Department. Its firefighters finally entered the city’s pay-roll.[2]
At the time of the birth of the department, LA was merely a small town of around 30,000 residents. Most of these residents carried hand guns and warned the fire department of fires by shooting three times into the air.[3]
These ‘triple-shots’ sent firefighters speeding to the burning location on horseback. From 1886 to 1911, horses were an essential part of fire fighting in the city. In 1911, they reached their highest number of 163 fire horses. Ten years later, all of the horses were retired and replaced completely by trucks.[4]
Another important part of LAFD’s story is their history with segregation and eventual integration of African American firefighters. In 1892, a man by the name of Sam Haskins became the first Black man to work on the Los Angeles Fire Department, albeit in a part-time capacity. Three years after joining, he fell under a fire truck in an accident and passed away. Haskins was loved by his fellow firefighters and superiors. That same year the Fire Commission in charge of leading the department created the first African American Engine Company in honor of Sam Haskins’ death. This opened the doors for more Black firemen to join the fire department, though always in segregated companies. By 1950, there were two all-Black, segregated fire stations (Fire Station No. 14 and Fire Station No. 30).[5]
In 1954, a Black firefighter by the name of Arnett Hartsfield started an organization called the Stentorians. This organization was made up of all-Black firefighters who supported each other through the hardships they endured in the LAFD. They voiced their opinions to the department together; they protected each other from the harassment meted out by white firefighters; and they trained younger Black men to be future firefighters.
In 1956, Black firefighters were integrated into many previously all-white fire companies. The first year of this integration was met with tension and violence amongst the firemen. The challenges they encountered, combined with the need to rely on each other, helped to overcome the resistance to integration. By the 1960s, Black firefighters had earned their deserved place in the LAFD.[6]
Since then, as Los Angeles rapidly grew larger, the fire department has expanded accordingly. Today, the department is made up of around 3,000 members who serve more than four million residents in the Los Angeles area. They respond to over 1,300 emergencies daily and take as many as 600 people to hospitals every day.[7]
[1] “A Few Highlights About Early Fire Department” The Fireman’s Grapevine (March 8, 1961)
[2] “Over a Century of Service” Los Angeles Fire Department (February 1, 2018)
[3] “A Few Highlights About Early Fire Department” The Fireman’s Grapevine (March 8, 1961
[4] “The Era of the Horses” The Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive
[5] “History of the Black Firemen” The Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive (December 13, 1997)
[6] “The West on Fire: Black Firefighters in L.A.” Western Edition: Episode 1 (September 7, 2021)
[7] “Over a Century of Service” Los Angeles Fire Department (February 1, 2018)