The family of a recently terminated Toledo Fire Department recruit is calling on city officials to improve the way they treat minorities vying for positions in the department.
Earl Murry, a spokesman for Major Smith III, told a crowd of about 40 on Thursday at the Frederick Douglass Community Center that he believes the recruit was fired because he is black. He was one of three African-American recruits in fire class 292, which held its graduation ceremony in May. Mr. Smith, 23, was let go in June.
“I think race is a significant factor for why he was terminated, yes,” Mr. Murry said.
But others contend race was not a factor, and Mr. Smith was given several chances to meet the state’s requirements to become a firefighter.
Outgoing Chief Luis Santiago confirmed Thursday that Mr. Smith was given remedial training after he could not successfully complete the ventilation portion of his physical test. He also confirmed the administration’s reason for firing Mr. Smith was that he was unable to meet the state’s standards, but he did not want to comment on the matter further.