“My desire to be a medic, and how I operate in general, comes from my father,” said Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Firefighter/Paramedic (FF/PM) Steven Smith.

“In all honesty, I didn’t understand my dad’s impact on people and this job until I was on the job,” FF/PM Steven shared, adding that his father’s influence became even more apparent after his passing in September 2011.

His father? Glenn Smith, the first LAFD member to achieve the rare distinction of holding three titles concurrently: firefighter, paramedic, and pilot.

Smith's journey and work ethic were shaped by his mother and father, who did everything they could to support their 17 children, of which Steven was the 12th, in Lake Providence, Louisiana. After moving to Los Angeles in the mid-1960s and attending high school, he married Marva Lajoy in 1975 and they both worked in the Garment District in Downtown Los Angeles to support a young Steven.

In 1976, Smith learned about city jobs offering better pay and good benefits, which led him to consider a career with the LAFD.

The LAFD had recently integrated its stations, creating more opportunities for Black firefighters on the heels of the Civil Rights era. Intrigued by the challenge and stability of firefighting, Smith set his sights on joining the LAFD.

Smith earned his General Education Diploma (GED) on the first attempt without studying, reflecting his natural aptitude for learning. In 1978, he achieved his goal of becoming an LAFD firefighter and obtained his paramedic certification in 1980, coinciding with the department's transition to allow dual-function roles and the birth of Steven’s sister, Robyn.

Back in the 1970s and early 1980s, a small percentage of firefighters were Black, and even fewer held multiple roles within the department. For years FF/PM Smith had been told what he could not do as a Black man in the South, much less in America. After becoming a firefighter and a paramedic, he had already beat the odds of what Black men were considered capable of at that time. He asked himself, “What prevents me from doing something that I’ve always wanted to do?”

Inspired by “Whirly Bird,” a fictitious television show from the 1950s that featured two average citizens solving crimes by way of their helicopter chartering company, he had always wanted to become a pilot.

Smith pursued his lifelong ambition in the face of significant challenges, and after meticulous studying and training, he became the LAFD’s first Black helicopter pilot.

Throughout his career, FF/PM/Pilot Smith received numerous accolades, including Paramedic of the Year and two Medals of Valor for his heroism. His influence extended beyond individual recognition; he developed the Chief Pilot 5 position within the LAFD to oversee all air operations shifts, recognizing the need for specialized leadership.

Initially hesitant to take on the role himself, Smith emphasized its importance for the department. After others had held the position, he eventually assumed the role of the LAFD's Chief Pilot.

Pilots prepare for a potential crash or in-air disaster as part of their extensive training, but few ever come face to face with a life-or-death situation. One night, FF/PM/Pilot Smith was performing “night sun training,” a specialized training that uses only the helicopter’s spotlight for illumination. While airborne with the LAFD’s Engine 100 crew, the helicopter's instruments started blinking erratically, indicating engine failure.

One LAFD Captain recalled the moment that the helicopter started to fall from the sky. “I don’t know what was scarier – the fact that we were going down, or the fact that [FF/PM/Pilot Smith] was calm.”

In the tense moments that followed, FF/PM/Pilot Smith executed a precise maneuver to safely bring the helicopter down, following all the safety protocols that he had trained on years prior.

FF/PM/Chief Pilot Smith's legacy continues through his children and grandchildren, whom he cherished deeply. The LAFD honored him by renaming a West Hills helispot the Glenn V. Smith Memorial Helispot, ensuring that his story remains a permanent part of LAFD history.

His ambitions not only influenced future firefighting practices but also inspired future generations within the department, including his son.

"To me, my dad was larger than life," FF/PM Steven reflected, underscoring the enduring impact and profound respect for his father within the firefighting community and beyond.