Chicago Firefighter Launches Water Drive for the Residents of Flint, Michigan
Eric Washington, a Chicago firefighter and member of the African American Firefighters and Paramedics League of Chicago (AAFFPL), is collecting water for the residents of Flint, Mich. in the wake of the city’s current water crisis. Washington, who began a GoFundMe account aiming to raise $15,000 worth of bottled water for Flint by Friday, January 29, said today he has exceed that goal and will now try to raised $20,000.
“This started as something small where I planned to rent a U-Haul truck, fill it with water and drive it to Flint. It all started on Monday morning (January 18th) after watching the crisis on CNN and thinking there must be something I can do,” said Washington, who plans to personally travel with the water to Flint, a city of about 100,000 residents, located approximately 270 miles from Chicago. For months, Flint residents have been exposed to elevated levels of lead in the city’s water.
“I'm way beyond a U-Haul now,” laughs Washington who has been joined by JB Hunt, a logistics transportation company pledging to donate trucks and trailers to deliver the water.
AAFFPL President Gregory Boggs said members are moved and excited about Washington’s humanitarian effort. “Anything we can do to help Flint is a noble effort and what Eric is doing is outstanding,” Boggs said. “Our league campaigns for social change and to have more African Americans in the Chicago Fire Department. Eric fulfills his lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter and is a shining example of what it means to be a member of the African American Firefighters and Paramedics League.”
Washington, who began his firefighting career in November 2014, is a crew member assigned to Truck 38 at the Chicago Fire Department’s Engine 124, which is located on the city’s north side.
“Every kid grows up wanting to be a fireman or police officer,” said Washington, who hails from the Jeffery Manor neighborhood on the city’s far south side. “For me, it was always the fire department. I lost someone really close to me growing up due to a fire and that gave me that drive to go and get it. I love it, and it's the greatest job in the world.”
Boggs said Washington’s story is just another reason why the AAFFPL must remain vigilant in its fight to create more opportunities for African Americans to become Chicago firefighters. The organization is currently leading efforts to bring about reform within the Chicago Fire Department. Most recently, the AAFFPL has called for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to oust Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Jose Santiago and for the Department of Justice to investigate discrimination within the department surrounding hiring and promotions as well as heavy handed discipline of African Americans within the department.
Created in 1967, the African American Firefighters and Paramedics League of Chicago (AAFFPL) has been working internally and externally in righting the wrongs against African-American men and women within the fire department.
For additional information about the African American Firefighters and Paramedics League of Chicago, contact Matt Fitzgerald at Matt@jerrythomaspr.com or (781) 974-6657, or Brianna Fitzpatrick at Brianna@jerrythomaspr.com, or (269) 271-9183.
To donate to Chicago’s Water Drive for Flint, MI campaign please visit https://www.gofundme.com/ghkdbdjw
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