EAST ORANGE – Mayor Ted R. Green and the East Orange City Council designated the corner of South Clinton Street and Elmwood Avenue across from Fire House Five as Robert Slaughter Square on Wednesday, July 15, 2020. The ceremonial street re-naming honors the legacy of Retired Fire Captain Robert Slaughter, a well-respected public servant and the first African American fire captain in the City of East Orange.
Family, friends and local public officials gathered to pay tribute to Captain Slaughter, who also served as Special Chief in charge of public relations and fire safety. During his nearly 30-year tenure, Captain Slaughter was instrumental in the founding of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters (IABPFF), the Firefighters League Advocating Minority Equality (FFLAME), and in 1969, was selected president of the Vulcan Pioneers of New Jersey.
“I’m honored to give a gentleman like Mr. Slaughter his flowers while he is still here,” said Mayor Ted R. Green. “This street-renaming is to serve as a reminder for all of our young people that visit this corner so they can remember the esteemed legacy Captain Slaughter left in the City of East Orange.”
Fifth Ward Councilman Mustafa Brent, who is also a fire captain in the City of Newark, reminded guests about the hardships Slaughter had to endure as an African American firefighter at the height of the Civil Rights Movement when segregation still existed throughout the nation.
“Mr. Slaughter was a firefighter in a time where they used to send firefighters home because they didn’t want them working in a firehouse because it was an all-European crew,” said Brent. “I want all to understand the gravity of not just being a firefighter at that time, but [what it took] to elevate to captain and retire as (special) chief.”
East Orange Fire Chief André Williams echoed the sentiments of Councilman Brent, referencing the turbulent time Captain Slaughter had to navigate and how it paved the way for him and the rest of the East Orange Fire Division, which is predominately African American and reflective of the current city population.
“Robert Slaughter came on the job in 1961, that’s before most of us could even vote. It was not easy to be a firefighter anywhere in this country in 1961as a black man,” said Williams. “What he endured, he endured it for us to stand here today and wear this uniform. Understand that without him, I wouldn’t be standing here. He is a pioneer that fought for equality for African American firefighters.”
Before the new street sign was unveiled, Captain Slaughter spoke to the audience of over 50 people, which included many EOFD retired and current firefighters.
“I thank everyone for showing up and showing appreciation. I thank everyone that chooses to be a fireman, it wasn’t like that at one time. Thank you for showing up,” said Slaughter. Captain Slaughter retired with distinction after 29 years of service.
