In the spring of 1992, African-American firefighters organized the Phoenix Sentinels of Howard County, MD, an affiliate of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters.
The Phoenix Sentinels were organized to promote the spirit of the fire and rescue service among African-American career employees and volunteers, and to increase the understanding of the role of fire and rescue within the African-American community.
The Sentinels have maintained an active program of community involvement, that includes working with youth and adults at the Roger Carter Center, an annual toy collection and distribution at Christmas for children in low income housing, providing CPR classes and blood pressure screening, and presentations of a safe house, to teach children fire safety.
Sentinel concerns of on-going, and they include recruitment of African-American and members of the minority ethnic groups, monitoring fair and equitable treatment of employees, mentoring to the community, and serving as a bridge of understanding between the Department and the community. |
