By Dave Canton
masslive.com
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — When Leonard A. Corbin showed up at the YMCA for his civil service physical in 1968, he didn’t aspire to be the first Black firefighter in Springfield, only the second in the state. He was there because he wanted to become a firefighter.
“I think what appealed to him was helping,” Corbin’s younger brother, Edward, said Friday. “He had adopted this love for helping people in a really big way. I think he saw the fire department as inspirational guidance.”
“The fire department triggered his desire to help and he saw all the things available and that pleased him,” Edward Corbin said. “I don’t think he wanted to be the first Black fireman; I think he just wanted to be a fireman.”
The top echelon of the Springfield Fire Department gathered in front of Station 4 in Mason Square Friday morning to pay tribute to the man who reluctantly broke a racial barrier while just trying to do a job.
Leonard Corbin served for 32 years with the Springfield Fire Department, hearing his last return to station bell on March 4, 2001. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 62.
“What Lenny did was open the door for many minority firefighters, especially African American – Black – firefighters,” Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said. “He was the Jackie Robinson of the Springfield Fire Department .”
Once on the force, Corbin proved to be a loyal and hard worker for his fellow firefighters. Later he took younger men under his wing to give them guidance.
“He was respected and held in high regard. He not only helped up-and-comers from the minority community, but he helped all. He was so proud of his job and proud to do it,” Sarno said.
One of those “new guys” is now Lt. Kelly Jones. Jones worked with Corbin just before he retired.
“I was a new kid and nervous about it. But he calmed me down and began filling me in about the traditions of the fire department and the brotherhood of firefighters,” Jones said. “He just wanted all the guys to be successful.”
As he stood before the crowd of firefighters, family and friends of Leonard Corbin, his brother Edward noted that Friday’s memorial service followed by a day Vice President Kamala Harris’ acceptance of the Democratic Party’s nomination to run for the presidency.
“It just so happens that we are here today to talk about a pioneer,” he said. “And last night we saw a pioneer. We had a pioneer stand up in front of the whole nation last night and here today we have a pioneer that stood up for Springfield.”
Fire Capt. Kevin Rankin manned the call bell, as Fire Superintendent Bernard J. Calvi explained for the audience the significance of the bell.
“The traditional alarm code for an engine company returning home to the station was four bells, followed by the number of the engine company,” Calvi said.
Rankin rang the service bell four times, paused, and then rang it eight times.
“My brother would be at this station all day long,” Edward Corbin said with a laugh. “I would probably have to come and pick him up here every day. He truly loved being a fireman. It wasn’t about the color: It was about being a fireman and helping people and saving people’s lives. He did that eagerly and earnestly every single day.”
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