Indianapolis Dedicates Memorial for First Black Firefighter Killed in Line of Duty

From the IFD: The Indianapolis Black Firefighters Association, a fraternal organization of the Indianapolis Fire Department, is pleased to announce the memorial dedication for Lt. Tom Smith. On Friday, September 25, 2009 at 10:00am; as part of the 150th Anniversary of the Indianapolis Fire Department, IFD, IAFF Local 416, Department of Public Safety, active and retired firefighters will gather at Crown Hill Cemetery to honor Lt. Tom Smith.

Smith, the first African-American line of duty death in IFD history, was killed when Hose Wagon 16 was struck by a street car, while answering a call to Box 317 at Northwestern Avenue and 21st Street. Smith was hurled into the air and thrown in front of the street car, which passed over him. He was dragged for several feet and his body became lodged at the front trucks; according to the Indianapolis News (11/08/1911).

Born May 10, 1843 in Crab Orchard, Kentucky; Smith was a member of the IFD’s first colored fire company. In May 1876 James Mitchell was elected mayor of Indianapolis, he appointed W.O. “Deck” Sherwood fire chief. Chief Sherwood recognized the need for a colored fire company. Two weeks later, on May 19, 1876 a colored company was formed and firehouse established on St. Mary’s Street. The fire company included Tom Smith, Thomas Howard, Robert Braxton, and James Graves. Smith was assigned badge # 158 and quickly became the city’s horse expert. Tom was known as one of the most skillful drivers that ever sat on a piece of Indianapolis fire apparatus. The story is told that the board of safety considered retiring Smith because of his age. A member of the board was at the firehouse when an alarm came in, Tom sprang to his seat and tripped the harness with a single action and as soon as the harness snapped the horses sped out the door. Tom was as agile and muscular as a man half his age, the topic of retirement would no longer be considered.

The firefighter’s processional will begin @ 10:00am at the 34th St. entrance of the Crown Hill Cemetery and proceed to Section 97 (Heroes of Public Safety Section). For more information on this event or the organization, visit www.indyblackfirefighters.com or call 317-253-0323

Suspicious White Powder Found at Indianapolis Business

From the IFD: Shortly before 1:30 this afternoon an employee at Eskew Enterprises opened the mail just like any other day. Although the standard white business envelope was addressed to another company, S And H Marketing the return address of Eskew Enterprises had been pasted on the envelope so the post office returned it here. When Christina Lee-Gasaway opened the envelope she discovered a scrap of clean foil, the type used in fast food restaurants, with a powdery substance inside. She contacted her bosses, owners Darryl and Andrea Eskew who called police and evacuted the building. Haz Mat crews from IFD Station 13 were dispastched and prepared to begin entry and testing. 2 firefighters entered the building in Level B suits and ran 2 tests on the substance. Both tests tested positive for TRYPSIN. Trypsin is an ammino acid and considered a non threat. Investigators from IMPD and the US Postal Inspectors office were called to investigate any possible criminal wrong doing. Representatives from the Marion County Health Department were on hand to assist with any Haz Mat needs. The substance was sent to the LRN lab at 16th and MLK for further testing. No injuries were reported.

Fire at Post Brook Apartments is Suspicious

From IFD: At 6:20 this evening firefighters from IFD and City of Lawrence were called to 4004 Windhill Dr. for a reported apartment fire. Upon arrival they found fire showing from the rear, first floor apartment # 229. This building houses 4 units, all vacant. The fire apartment was completely burned with the unit next door suffering smoke damage. According to residents in the complex the other 3 units have suffered at the hands of vandals. IFD/IMPD fire investigators have been called to the scene for cause. The origin is believed to be a couch in unit # 229. According to firefighters in Battalion 4 they have had at least 3 fires in the last several months in this complex, Post Brook Apartments.. The fires have all been suspicious in nature and are believed to have been started with ordinary combustible materials. No injuries were reported. Battalion Chief Shawn Grass estimates the damage to be 20,000 dollars.

Divers Find Young Man's Body in White River

From the Indianapolis Fire Department: Shortly before 5:30 this evening The Indianapolis Fire Department Dive Team was dispatched to a possible drowning in the 1500 block of Waterway Blvd. Tactical Dive Team 14 arrived on the scene along with several other fire department units, where they were approached by Medics who told them that witnesses stated a man had fallen in the river and had not surfaced. A large scale search effort ensued with additional IFD Tactical Dive Teams being called in for assistance.  Divers from Station 14 took one side of the river while divers from Station 7 took the other.  Using search patterns, divers on each side of the river tried for almost 2 hours to locate the man identified at 19 year old Corey Mitchell.  According to divers, the river at that particular location is about 10 feet deep and full of large rocks, Rebar and discarded fishing line. There was no current in the river today and divers were confident that the area they searched was the exact location.  They did not think that Mr. Mitchell was carried downstream.

Corey Mitchell, his girlfriend Crystal Cook (31 y/o), her brother Ronnie Peed (30 y/o) and her two sons ages 10 and 8 had gone to the area to go fishing.  Although it is unclear how long they had been at the site, at some point the two men decided to navigate the lower part of the dam into the middle of the river.  Once they were located there, Mr. Peed states that Corey got his foot caught on something under the water. When he bent over to dislodge his foot, he fell into the water and never surfaced. No one in the group was wearing a life jacket.  911 was called at that time. Initially the call came in at 5:17 as an unconscious person near the waters edge. Once Medic 18 arrived on the scene they were informed there might someone in the water.  M18 advised dispatch to send the dive teams.

Captain Rob Aldrich a diver from IFD Station 7 found Mr. Mitchell in approximately 10 feet of water.  Although the river was full of debris, Captain Aldrich stated that Mr. Mitchell was not entangled in anything. He was simply face down in the water on the bottom.    Divers were dispatched at 5:29 pm.  The victim was confirmed in the water at 5:48 pm.  Dive teams and boats were deployed into the water at 5:57 pm.  Mr. Mitchell was located at approximately 7:20 pm.  Once firefighters recovered Mr. Mitchell from the river, he was placed in a Wishard Medic unit pending the arrival of the Coroner's Office.    Nothing further to report.

Fire Engulfs Home on East 21st Street

From IFD: On the scene at 4344 E 21st street for a residence fire. At approximately 2:45 this morning a passerby Larry Tutson was headed East on 21st street when he noticed flames coming from a two story residence. Mr. Tutson called 911 and reported the fire. He then went to the front door of the residence and yelled for everyone to get out. Apparently the family that lives there was not home at the time. A car parked in the front yard is always present and was confusing as to the possibility of possible entrapment. When firefighters arrived on the scene they reported heavy fire showing through the roof. Firefighters on this box alarm response had the fire out within 20 minutes. IFD/IMPD fire investigations units are on the scene and are searching for cause and origin at this time. According to Battalion Chief Dave Harris damage is estimated at 40,000 dollars. No injuries were reported. Nothing further to report.