Today the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) is led by its second African-American fire chief, Ernest Malone, and has a mostly African-American command staff.
This would not be possible without firefighters such as Charles E. Smith. Smith, 91, a lieutenant with IFD, died earlier this month and was the last surviving African-American who worked at IFD when it was racially segregated.
“He helped many young African-Americans to adapt today,” his daughter, Sharon Jagers, said.
Smith joined IFD in October 1951 and was assigned to Station 1, an all-Black firehouse with 24 firefighters who rotated through two 24-hour shifts.
According to IFD records, the department began hiring African-Americans in 1876. However, IFD placed them in separate units and only hired a new Black firefighter to replace one who retired or died.
Jagers said her father’s personality helped him withstand the racist attitudes African-American firefighters often encountered early in his career.
“He didn’t take no mess,” said Jagers. “He didn’t care if you liked him or if you didn’t. But he carried himself in a way that said you was not going to disrespect him.”
Segregation in IFD officially ended in 1960, and Smith was transferred to Station 7. His dedication to excellence led to a promotion to lieutenant in 1966. After being assigned to Engine 10, he returned to Station 1, where he worked until his retirement in 1993.
Historically, Black firefighters took pride in their skills and had a strong tradition of teaching younger firefighters about fire equipment, safe operations, techniques and toughing out both the job and pervasive discrimination.
Daryl Hayden, a battalion chief, believes Smith kept the tradition alive by establishing himself as a mentor to Hayden and other Black IFD recruits.
“Charlie was very interested in young African-Americans succeeding,” Hayden said. “He was the guy that would get to know you, ask questions and make sure you understood your job. He would set expectations for you so that you would be prepared as a young firefighter.”
Outside of his work with IFD, Smith also enjoyed golf, assisting with events such as the 1987 Pan American Games and operating Cosmo Knights, a club popular with African-American professionals, including police officers and firefighters.
“He loved life and was very outgoing,” Jagers said. “Some of that also took a lot of what he was going through on the job off of him.”
Following services at First Baptist Church North Indianapolis, Smith was laid to rest at Crown Hill Cemetery. His funeral procession stopped by two of the places he loved: Station 1, where his badge was retired, and Cosmo Knights, where a crowd saluted him.
Corey Arnold, president of the Black Firefighters Association of Indianapolis, said Smith served as one of the last members of the all-Black unit of Station 1 along with Joseph Kimbrew, who became the city’s first African-American fire chief in 1987.
“They were blessed to be in an awesome position and they used it to make a difference,” said Arnold.
Arnold thought Smith was younger because he got around so well until recent months.
“He had a lot to say about how we should conduct ourselves on the job and was always interested in the younger generations, some of whom are in leadership positions now,” Arnold said. “That is a testament to how much of a people person he was and how much he loved the job.”
Contact Reporter Brandon Perry at 317-762-7848.
Charles E. Smith
