F.I.R.E. Rejects Creation of Asst. Chief Position, Demands 50/50 Hiring 

The association of black city firefighters is holding a press conference today to once again demand Mayor Francis Slay address the group’s concerns.

The Firefighters Institute for Racial Equality (F.I.R.E.), which almost all of the city’s African-American fire fighters belong to — representing 44% of the fire department — is upset with Slay for removing Fire Chief Sherman George from his position and for dealing exclusively with the so-called white firefighters union, Local 73.

UPDATE: The group is also calling on a return the 50/50 hiring (one white for every black) policy which the fire department operated under for many years under a federal consent decree.

From F.I.R.E.:

Members of F.I.R.E. will uphold our oath to the citizens of the city of St. Louis to protect property and save lives. We will fight fires aggressively; respond to emergency medical and special calls with integrity and professionalism. Yet we will not stand for our issues to be ignored by the mayor; members of F.I.R.E. is comprised of 98% of the Black firefighters in the department and represent 44% of the members in the St. Louis Fire Department. Our issues with testing are still pending in the federal court of appeals. Racial tensions are present in firehouses and must be addressed.

We have witnessed the mayor addressing all of the issues (transfers, civil service hearings, non-establishment of an Advanced Life Support Pumper Program, etc.) of local 73 during Chief George’s tenure. He has affirmed actions for the local in reference to promotions and the demotion of Fire Chief George. His most recent affirmed action was to promote Battalion Chief Dennis Jenkerson to Fire chief over the most qualified officer in the department Deputy Chief Charles Coyle. Yet he has not addressed our chief complaint cheating during the 2004 exam administered by EBJacobs. To add insult to injury they want to create a position and give it to a Black officer to appease Black firefighters we reject that offer. REINSTATE THE FIRE CHIEF SHERMAN GEORGE!

The Firefighters Institute for Racial Equality (F.I.R.E.) will not be able to move forward if our issues are not addressed.

• Conduct an INDEPENDENT investigation into the allegations of cheating on the 2004 test.
• No testing processes should be administered until an agreement on what the system should be and how it should be administered.
• An affirmed action in the form of an executive order from the mayor to institute a 50/50 hiring and promotions diversity plan.
• F.I.R.E. is against the creation of an Assistant Chief’s position.
• Expedite the Civil Service Hearing of Fire Chief Sherman George.
• Fire Chief Sherman George earned his pension as fire chief because of his demotion to deputy chief they deliberately cost him 10’s of thousands of dollars in retirement benefits. Reinstate Sherman George back to Fire Chief.

Today’s press conference is at 3:30 PM at F.I.R.E.’s headquarters, 1020N. Taylor Ave.