Box 1, Folder 14, Document 48

Box 1, Folder 14, Document 48

CITY OF ATLANTA
8 August 1969

Memorandum Regarding Discrimination Against Black Firemen Of Atlanta

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-- To: Mayor Ivan Allen, Chairman Board of Firemasters, Alderman_Wm, .T,
—=-* _ Knight and Atlanta Fire Chief Paul 0. Williams - ~~ i:
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From: Black Firemen of Atlanta — > -

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The Black firefighters of Atlanta are dedicated municipal employees, af
concerned with the safety and welfare of our city and all of its citizens. _
During the years of our tenure as firemen we have been subjected to dis-- |
crimination and abuses as outlined below. We xequest that immediate~—
action be taken to correct these practices, and that on or before Monday, -

August 18, 1969 that we receive a formal report on your actions in corrette |
ing the actions cited herein: of “|

I, HIRING PRACTICES We io bees owe | a
Ser eee ecenen aks ae eoae tae "Eo hs 3

The ratio of Black Firemen to White Firemen-does not correspond

——to the population of Black citizens in Atlanta. There are_about 90 to (OS

100 Black Firemen in a department of more than 900 men. Black~Firemen oy

. that are drafted into the armed services are replaced by white firemen $7






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II. SEGREGATED SLEEPING & LOCKER ARRANGEMENTS

_ Lockers and beds of Black Firemen are placed in the back or away |
from the white firemen. . . |

III. RECREATION CLUB




The membership was closed the year Rlack Fireme
1963. Land was given to the club by the government on Lake Allatuoona. (13 acres)
‘ge MOL : daph pus ; - ‘ on '
IV. PROMOTIONAL DISCRIMINATION \© out Ferme Pecuati- z )

Black Firemen should be included in every department. White fire- ox
men with less time and experience are promoted: to driver ions. slack
Firemen with 5 and 6 years should be promoted to Lieutenants, because the ~~.
entire officer cabinet is made uo of all white officers. Most of these
officers have been known_to-forcetheir-prejudices on Black Firemen. We

are aware of the test for Lieutenants, but in a time of an emergency men
have been promoted wholesale from private to captains within a year, thus.
setting proper precedent. We consider this an emergency-because of the
overall discrimination in the department, White drivers are giving up their
positions because they know future Lieutenants are going to be appointed by
Chiefs.: This is true because in the last captain's test the aides of all
the chiefs dominated the list. Some of these Lieutenants didn't place in
the top 40 on the Lieutenants list. ‘Now they are captains.

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V. EXPERIENCE AND LENGTH OF TIME ON THE DEPARTMENT

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Acting officers,'we feel that every Black Firemen with the time
and experience, equal to any white firemen, should be-given the opportunity !

to be an acting officer. This applies to extra drivers. House dyties
should be picked according to seniority. Gon 1S mero fam 5

VI. STANDARD SET OF RULES FOR ALL CAPTAINS

Each shift is operated different, captain authority has no limit.
He forces personal prejudices on Black Firemen. Transfer of men to other -

stations. Chil) puree tle Ante
Lt sO ae I ee ta poo alt -.
FOR CONTACT: Fireman William Hamer 7 ci

195 Hermer Circle, N. W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30311
Blephone - 794-2244 —

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Fire Station 16 on C Shift hee
Telephone 523-5786