Phoenix Society of Pasadena

Coming soon…

Preliminary Drawing

Remembering the great leader, John J. Kennedy, and honoring our beautiful heritage on a beautiful Saturday in Pasadena. Today was a good day.

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Hate mail & complaints to 911: A firefighter’s 20-year battle for hair equality in the St. Louis Fire Department A dream of being a firefighter was almost differed for St. Louis Fire Department spokesman, Cpt. Garon Patrick Mosby.

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Pasadena’s Black History Parade Back After Two-Year Absence; Sportscaster Jim Hill is Celebrity Grand Marshal

https://www.pasadenanow.com/main/pasadenas-black-history-parade-back-after-two-year-absence-sportscaster-jim-hill-is-celebrity-grand-marshal

Come join the ranks of Pasadena’s Bravest! Log on and apply.👊🏾

Ready for a career in firefighting? To be considered for the Firefighter Training Academy, you must first take a written test. The next test date is THIS SATURDAY, FEB. 11. Visit https://FCTConline.org for full details.

We started off this years Black History Month in Pasadena with the return of our time honored Pancake Breakfast tradition, honoring the trailblazers who came before us and current leaders within our community. It was a wonderful event shared by city and state dignitaries, local sponsors and public safety volunteers. A huge thank you to all those who put in their time and effort putting this together and making the celebration a memorable one. And a special thank you to Pasadena Firefighters Local 809 Pasadena Fire Department National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives - NOBLE Pasadena Police Department Pasadena Police Officers Association City of Pasadena - Public Agency for their continued support and volunteering at the event. Serving our community is what this city does best!

If you or anyone you know is interested in getting some first hand exposure to this exciting profession, sign up and come on down to train with some of the toughest women in the business!👩🏾‍🚒👩🏼‍🚒👩🏿‍🚒

Any EMT’s looking for an opportunity to work for the Pasadena Fire Department with support for further career advancement as a Paramedic within the Department, apply now! A new program has become available to support the City and the community, in the endeavor to provide world class service. See flyer for details and hope to see you soon!

Excellent opportunity for future firefighters! Check it out and share for those interested in a future with the Pasadena Fire Department!

Join the PFD family. This is a great opportunity to open the “apparatus” doors to become a future Paramedic Firefighter. We pride ourselves on being home to world class special events, businesses, colleges and a great parade on January 1st

Perspective is everything. Your viewpoint is your advantage. 🚒

Repost from the City of Pasadena:

Our hearts are heavy today as we share news of the passing of beloved District 3 Councilmember John J. Kennedy. Councilmember Kennedy was a long-standing staple in our community and he will be greatly missed.
Councilmember Kennedy proudly and tirelessly served District 3 since 2013. During his tenure on City Council, he was chair of the Public Safety Committee, served on the Finance Committee, and was one of three City representatives to the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority. He served on a variety of local boards, including the Community Health Alliance of Pasadena, the Pasadena Police Foundation, and the Tom Bradley Legacy Foundation at UCLA. He was an ardent supporter of affordable housing, paying workers a liveable wage, and hiring locally.
Councilmember Kennedy was born and raised in Pasadena. From a young age, he dedicated his life’s work to serving others. He served as student body president at Blair High School and student senator at the University of Southern California, where he received dual degrees in International Relations and Economics. He earned a juris doctor degree from Howard University School of Law, and was the youngest person to have served as president of the Pasadena branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
On remembering his friend and longtime colleague, Mayor Victor M. Gordo shared, “While we are all deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our friend and colleague, John Kennedy, we should always remember and celebrate his many accomplishments and contributions to our city and beyond. John Kennedy loved Pasadena and the people of Pasadena. He worked hard every day to make Pasadena a better place for everyone. He dedicated himself to helping others, and we are all better off because of his efforts. His was a life well-lived.”

John was loved, greatly appreciated & will be missed. Our prayers and condolences go out to the family.

Congratulations to Phoenix Society President - Justin Hester and Class of 2022 on their graduation from the .pasadena program!

Leadership Pasadena is a collaborative, community classroom that pulls together leaders from every industry for peer-learning and future collaboration potential. Nonprofits, entrepreneurs, municipalities, artists, advocates. A diverse cohort of people who know being a strong, connected leader increases the impact they can have in their area of influence and passion.

We look forward to the continued work with the city and our partnerships in creating positive impacts in the community and public safety.

Thank you to all those who continue to support!

More info in bio*

Happy 4th of July! Please be safe and celebrate responsibly.💥🌭🇺🇸

Congratulations to the 20 year badge recipients! Such a wonderful tradition continued. It is an honor to celebrate you all and your dedicated years of service!

❤️🖤💚Happy Freedom Day!

June 19,1865

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States of America, dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Ending the last stronghold of black slavery in America.

Today also commemorates the 2nd anniversary of the Phoenix Society! Thank you all for your continued love and support. It’s been an incredible year and we look forward to so much more in the near future. Stay tuned!❤️🖤💚

June is Men’s Mental Health Month! It’s important to recognize and discuss some of the issues that affect men of color, young and old, in an ongoing battle to provide service and maintain wholeness. Recognition and destigmatizing conversations around mental health can lead to more effective support, available resources and overall better positive outcomes in managing difficult times. Take care of yourself and each other, so we can take care of them.

To all those who nurture and heal our hearts with the softest touch. Women who support us on our darkest days with a strength that knows no bounds. You are celebrated today and everyday. Happy Mother’s Day!

Come join us and bring the family down for Fire Service Day! 🚨🚒🚨

Congratulations to newly promoted, Captain Kyle Robinson! He has dedicated himself in his career to being an experienced and knowledgeable firefighter, as well as engineer. Now onto Captain. We expect much of the same from him…hard work, dedication and a love of the job. Cheers brotha! ✊🏾

Congratulations to newly appointed Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson!

In addition to being the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, Jackson will also be the first justice to have experience as a public defender. As an assistant public defender from 2005-2007, Jackson says she argued before the appeals court about 10 times. The two-time Harvard grad represented several defendants who otherwise couldn’t afford private counsel.

President Biden eagerly announced his nomination for Judge Jackson to the Supreme Court on February 25th.

“It’s a joyous, momentous, groundbreaking day,” he said today. “Later this afternoon, the Senate will fulfill its constitutional duty to finally confirm this remarkable and groundbreaking jurist… In the 233-year history of the Supreme Court, never, never has a Black woman held the title of Justice. Ketanji Brown Jackson will be the first and I believe the first of more to come.”

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Congratulations to Captain William Basulto on being honored for his acts of heroism last week.

Captain Basulto was headed to the Rams game with his father last week when he came upon a house fire at his neighbors home. He went into action and rescued their mother, who was being overcome by the effects of fire, from the second story of their home. He then assisted units on scene responding to the fire and once the situation was under control, continued onto the game. The Rams recognized his bravery by awarding him with Super Bowl LVI tickets! Leading a diverse crew of men and women, Captain Basulto has made the members of the Pasadena Fire Department very proud and will be remembered forever for the impact he made in his community. Strong work sir!✊🏾

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Repost: Pasadena Fire Department

Repost: Pasadena Fire Department

February marks Black History Month, a tribute to African American men and women who have made significant contributions to America and the rest of the world. Here are a few more of our hometown heroes:
Manuel “Manny” White (pictured left) is a 13 year veteran within the Pasadena Fire Department. Manny is a long time resident of the Santa Clarita Valley and resides with his wife Rashida and 3 children Isaiah (12), Evan (9), and Aiyana (3). Manny is a UCLA graduate (2004) were he served as a Team Captain of the UCLA Bruins in both 2003 and 2004. After his time at UCLA, Manny was drafted to the NFL to play for the newly named Washington Commanders where his career was cut short due to injuries. Manny promoted to Fire Captain in 2019 and enjoys being in a position to support other members of PFD.

Phillip Ward is a Battalion Chief with the Pasadena Fire Department. In his current position, he oversees 50 members daily, and supervises ten (10) Company Officers. Phillip also serves as the Department’s manager for the Mental Health Peer Support Team, and the Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM). After obtaining his undergraduate degree from UCLA, Phillip played four (4) years in the National Football League, with teams such as the St. Louis Rams and the New Orleans Saints. During Phillip’s 3rd year in the NFL, he began to focus on life after football as a public servant (in the Fire Service). In 2002, Phillip made the transition to the Fire Service, and has now been serving the residents of Pasadena for the last 20 years. During that time he has earned a promotion in every rank including his current position. Phillip has enjoyed mentoring several young men in their journey to becoming a firefighter over these years. Some of Phillip’s proud accomplishments are mentoring young people into the fire career, completing several national and executive level leadership courses, and supporting his wife, Dr. Dawn Ward, in becoming a physician back in 2008.

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Thomas J. Martin was born May 29, 1842, in Harpersville, Alabama. Thomas created the upgraded portable fire extinguisher. Martin’s fire extinguisher is said to be attached to a stored water tank and used to spray fires. He created a wet piping system capable of channeling pressurized water to the nozzles inside a building.

Although the British captain George William Manby is known to have created the modern style of the fire extinguisher in 1818, the improved version of Martin is often considered the first practical use of the machine by some historians.

Ernest Mitchell, Jr.

Pasadena Fire Chief and U.S. Fire Administrator

Chief Mitchell began his firefighting career in Compton Fire Department, where he studied the craft and quickly moved up the ranks. Through his intellect and commitment to leadership, he set his goals early to achieve the rank of chief. After only 9 years he had made his way to the rank of Battalion Chief. After which time he began his journey as a chief officer. Eventually taking the position as Fire Chief of City of Pasadena - Public Agency.

Chief Mitchell; affectionately known as “Curtis Mayfield” due to his ability to coin inspirational phrases and motivational quotes, retired as the Fire Chief and Assistant Director of Disaster Emergency Services for the Pasadena Fire Department after 33 years in the fire service. Chief Mitchell was an active member and former officer of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). During his last year in Pasadena he was also President of the IAFC, where he continued until the completion of his term. He served in Pasadena from 1998 until 2004. Prior to Pasadena, Chief Mitchell served as Fire Chief and Deputy City Manager in the City of Monrovia, California for seven years.

Ernest Mitchell, Jr. continued his career as the Federal Emergency Management Agency's U.S. Fire Administrator for the U.S. Fire Administration under President Obama. He began his tenure on December 5, 2011 and is responsible for managing the U.S. Fire Administration and the programs and training activities at the National Emergency Training Center. There he helped develop many policies within FEMA that have assisted in the saving of lives across the country such as the Active Shooter Response for first responders.

During his career, Chief Mitchell has either chaired or been a member of many working committees that contributed to the progress and development of communities, as well as local, state, and national fire and emergency services. He is a past recipient of the IAFC President's Award for Service and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the IAFC Black Chief Officers in 2012.

Chief Mitchell is the embodiment of excellence and we thank you for your service.✊🏾🌹

It’s time! If you or anyone you know desires to live a life of service and dedication to excellence, look no further! The Pasadena Fire Department has once again opened up its doors to hire Entry Level Firefighters. Apply now for a limited time and a chance at an incredible opportunity to work for a world renowned fire department. See you soon!

Links in bio*

Repost: Pasadena Fire Department

Today is the start of Black History Month and we want to highlight some of our members (past and present) who call Pasadena Fire their home.

Meet Firefighter “Hutch” and hear his story:

Born just north of Boston, MA in the city of Lowell, I was raised by a strong single mother. The youngest of four, the importance of education and hard work was always held high in my family. My early interest in the arts lead me to sunny California after graduating from Emerson College. My mother, having grown up in the south as an active participant in the civil rights movement, instilled in me a strong desire to help others and use whatever abilities I had to leave the world a better place than I found it. A career in the fire service seemed like the most logical choice for me. Three years in to putting my head down and doing the hard work necessary to be successful, I was rewarded with a career as a sworn firefighter for the Pasadena Fire Department where I’ve served for the past 8 years. Recently, over the summer of 2021 I was presented with yet another opportunity to serve the community in a whole new facet. The ever growing population of those experiencing homelessness in LA county has reached epidemic proportions. Pasadena has taken the initiative to institute an outreach program that is a collaboration effort between the Fire Department, the Health Department, and Union Staion Homeless Services. This program called the Pasadena Outreach Response Team (PORT) has been working tirelessly over the past 3 years to help provide services such as rehabilitation, detox, mental health treatment, and necessary documentation for housing to those on the streets of Pasadena. PORT has seen a host participants get the treatment they desperately need and eventually a place to call their own. I’m honored to have been chosen as part of the programs expansion over the past year. Being able to use the influence of the fire department as a necessary leg up for those most in need has been so greatly rewarding, and I’m ecstatic to be a part of significant change in people’s lives.

🚨Pasadena Fire Department is hiring soon! Application opens February 3rd - 17th! Get ready!