Fire Inspector I, FPB West Industrial, Active
Born: March 30, 1959
Appointed LAFD: June 5, 1989
Died: March 2, 2016
Sandra Lee Smith was born March 30, 1959 in the City of Los Angeles. She was the third child of David and Emma Smith. San-d, as she was affectionately known, was an outstanding athlete high school and college. She was a lover of music and was a standout drummer while attending Compton High School.
San-d received a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from the University of LaVerne and a master’s degree in Education from California State University Dominguez Hills. After graduating from college, San-d was hired to teach physical education at Centennial High School, where she was often mistaken for one of the students. She remained there for two years and then decided to change her career.
San-d studied and passed the test and training to become a Los Angeles City Firefighter where she worked for almost twenty seven years. She was a Fire Inspector I for the past 15 years. She was a member of the Stentorians and also a member of Women of the Fire Service.
San-d was truly a trail-blazer her career choices and humanitarian outreach. She was featured in Black Elegance Magazine as a “Beautiful Blue Collar Woman” in 1995. She was a member of the National Association of University Women for more than 20 years, where the organization focuses on serving women, youth and the disadvantaged in our communities. As a member of the Episcopal Chorale Society Inc., San-d traveled to China, Amsterdam, Austria, Puerto Rico, Argentina and Germany.
Above all, San-d loved the Lord and accepted Christ at an early age. She became a member of Calvary Baptist Church and she served faithfully for more than 40 years. She was involved in Sunday School, Baptist Training Union, the Usher Board, and Mission Choirs where she played the drums.
She served as Chairperson of the Music Committee, President of the Sanctuary Choir, and a member of the First Aiders. Sandy unselfishly shared her knowledge and skills by developing a wallet size medical card for church members, so that they would always have their medication information at their fingertips.
San-d was unique and very creative. She changed the spelling of Sandy to San-d. She always wanted to stand out from others as an independent and unique individual.