ca. 1936. Tacoma Fire Company, Fireboat No. 1. Firefighters at stations on fire boat with far-reaching sprays in action.

Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1936. Tacoma Fire Company, Fireboat No. 1. Firefighters at stations on fire boat directing far-reaching sprays of water into Commencement Bay. Industries in background.

Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Cooney Transfer & Storage Company fire. Two firemen with hose spraying water on fire. (T.Times)

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Moving & storage trade--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cooney Transfer & Storage Co. (Tacoma);

Cooney Tranfer & Storage Company fire. Seven firemen spraying water from truck and ground level. (T. Times).

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Moving & storage trade--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cooney Transfer & Storage Co. (Tacoma);

On June 21, 1938, a $30,000 fire destroyed the two and 1/2 story wood frame commissary at the United States Cushman Indian Hospital. Four firemen with hoses are pictured spraying water on the burning building. The building was used to store foodstuffs and supplies for the hospital. It was located on the west side of the grounds so that the fire, despite its intensity, did not endanger the dormitories or wards. The building was fully engulfed when the first fire company arrived about 11:45p.m. on 6/20/38. The fight was hampered by a lack of water pressure from the hospital's tank. (T. Times, 6/21/1938, p. 1).

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cushman Indian Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On June 21, 1938, firemen watch as the side of a building collapses and smoke billows from inside. The $30,000 fire on June 20-21 at the United States Cushman Indian Hospital destroyed the hospital commissary, a two and 1/2 story, wood frame building. The intense flames lit up the night for miles. The fire fight was hampered by a lack of water pressure. The Indian Hospital had its own pumping system and tank, but the tank had been almost emptied by the evening sprinkling of the grounds. Finally hoses were hooked up to city hydrants on Bay Street, sometimes blocks away. The commissary was razed, but its secluded location from other structures meant that the hospital itself was not in danger. (T. Times, 6/21/1938, p. 1)

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cushman Indian Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On the evening of June 5, 1938, crowds tied-up traffic for blocks around Union Station and Dock Street to watch the extensive fire at Tacoma Sash and Door Company, 1501-05 Dock Street, and George Scofield Company warehouse, 1543 Dock Street. More than 100 firefighters fought the $125,000 blaze. The fire started from an undetermined cause at the door company around 7:30p.m. in the evening. It quickly spread to the warehouse of the George Scofield Co. and the south lane of the 15th Street Bridge. More than 10 companies and the fire boat responded. The flames roared into the air, attracting thousands of sightseers that hampered fire fighting efforts. The flames ate through high tension power wires plunging downtown into darkness. The firemen fought for two hours, saving the bridge and surrounding buildings. TPL-1473 (T.Times, 6/6/1938, p. 1).

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma); George Scofield Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Crowds--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Smoke from Tacoma Sash and Door Company and George Scofield Company warehouse fires can be seen beyond railroad cars and bridge ramp. More than 100 firefighters fought the blaze which caused $125,000 in damage. At the fire's height, it spread to the south lane of the 15th Street Bridge. Firefighters worked for over two hours, saving the bridge and surrounding businesses. (T. Times, 6/6/1938, p. 1)

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma); George Scofield Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Crowds--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Two firemen using ater jets, two others watching.

Fire at Plywood Sales & Box Company. Fire fighters spray water on an old two-story frame building. The two-alarm fire drew six fire engines and two hook and ladder trucks to fight the $5,000 blaze. (T. Times, 3/27/1939, p. 14)

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Plywood Sales & Box Co. (Tacoma); Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smoke--Tacoma;

Fire at Plywood Sales & Box Company. A huge crowd gathers on Alaska Street and across the railroad tracks to watch fire fighters douse the billow of black smoke rising from the old two-story frame building. (T. Times, 3/27/1939, p. 14).

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Plywood Sales & Box Co. (Tacoma); Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smoke--Tacoma; Crowds--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Fire at Plywood Sales & Box Company. Black smoke billows from an old two-story frame building. A huge crowd of spectators watch from the street, vacant lots and railroad tracks as fire fighters battle the blaze. (T. Times, 3/17/1939, p. 14).

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Plywood Sales & Box Co. (Tacoma); Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smoke--Tacoma; Crowds--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Fire at Plywood Sales & Box Company. Two fire fighters carry hose up ladder to second floor window of old, wood-frame, burning building, To the left, railroad signal, no. 37, shows building's proximity to the railroad tracks. (T. Times, 3/27, p. 14)

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Plywood Sales & Box Co. (Tacoma); Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smoke--Tacoma; Railroad signals--Tacoma;

ca. 1940. Ground level view of volunteer fire members and dog aboard Model T firetruck with ladder. Vehicle is parked "P.F.D." which may stand for the Parkland Fire Department.

Fire fighters; Fire engines; Ford automobile; Community Service; Dogs;

The Fircrest volunteer Fire Department poses with their ladder truck for a group picture.

Fircrest Fire Department (Fircrest); Fire engines & equipment--Fircrest; Fire fighters--Fircrest;

The Fircrest and University Place volunteer Fire Departments posed with their ladder trucks for a group picture in December of 1941. The UP fire truck on the right was recently purchased with donations from the citizens of UP and the other areas served by the department. The reconditioned commercial truck was equipped with hose, an extension ladder, chemical fire extinguishers, a 500 gallon water tank and tools. The UP fire department was under the direction of chief Lesley B. McGaw, who served as chief until he retired in 1966. (T.Times 12/18/1941, pg. 5)

Fircrest Fire Department (Fircrest); Fire engines & equipment--Fircrest; Fire fighters--Fircrest; University Place Volunteer Fire Department (University Place); Fire engines & equipment--University Place; Fire fighters--University Place;

This photograph of Fire Chief Emory N. Whitaker was taken at Station # 2 on October 17, 1941. Mr. Whitaker served as the chief for Tacoma from May 1932 until September 9, 1944, his 63rd birthday. His career with the department began in 1903 when horses were used to pull steam-pressure fire engines and red hose-wagons. He worked his way up through the ranks to Chief. Born in Utica, NY in 1881, he died in December of 1958 at the age of 77. (T. Times 10/11/1941, pg. 1)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Whitaker, Emory; Fire stations--Tacoma--1940-1950

Boy Scouts that assisted in the March 21, 1943 civil defense drill pose in front of the historic Fire Station No. 1, 425 Tacoma Ave. So. It is believed that the scouts posed as victims that were evacuated from the surrounding buildings.

Fire stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma;

A medical team from Fort Lewis and their civil defense counterparts load a "victim" into an Army ambulance in front of Fire Station #1 during a March 21, 1943 civil defense drill. The drill simulated an enemy bomb raid on Tacoma. Certain buildings were designated as "bombed" with the people inside "victims." (TNT 3/24/1943, pg. 4)

Fire stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Ambulances--Tacoma;

On March 21, 1943, a practice "incident" took place in Tacoma; a Civil Defense drill simulated a enemy bombing of the city. Men in Army medical units, on loan from Fort Lewis, lay out their field dressings preparatory to bringing out "casualties" from the "bombed" buildings.

Fire stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Ambulances--Tacoma;

Coast Guard off Old Town Dock in Commencement Bay with five fire barges during a May 7, 1943 drill with the city's Fireboat #1. The fire barges are displaying streams of water used to extinguish marine fires. The three larger barges could pump 4,000 gallons a minute. The two smaller vessels in the center were designed for fighting fires under docks. They could pump 600 gallons a minute. (T.Times, 5/8/1943, pg. 3; 5/10/43, p.14.)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coast defenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military personnel--Tacoma;

On May 7, 1943, five Coast Guard fire fighting barges took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock, showing their ability to stamp out waterfront fires. Also participating in the drill was Tacoma's Fireboat #1. The three larger barges can be seen in the background with the two smaller ones, designed to fight fires under docks, in the center. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coast defenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military personnel--Tacoma;

On May 7, 1943, Tacoma's Fireboat #1, as well as five Coast Guard fire fighting barges, took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock. The group was showing their ability to effectively stamp out waterfront fires. They were also calling attention to the clean up drive along the front sponsored by the Waterfront Defense Committee. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Three of the Coast Guard's fire barges are photographed during the May 7, 1943 drill off Old Town Dock. The vessels can pump 4,000 gallons of water a minute each and move very quickly across the water. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

A spray of water calls attention to a May 7, 1943 fire fighting drill off the Old Town Dock. Participating are Tacoma's Fireboat #1 and five Coast Guard fire barges assigned to Tacoma. Together the vessels can pump over 23,000 gallons a minute. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

On May 7, 1943, Tacoma's Fireboat #1 took part in a drill with the Coast Guard, demonstrating the city's ability to fight a waterfront fire. The city's fire boat and five Coast Guard fire fighting barges went through their paces, shooting 50 streams of water high into the air. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Coast Guard off Old Town Dock in Commencement Bay with fire barges. The fire barges are displaying streams of water used to extinguish marine fires. Brown's Point is visible in the background. (T.Times, 5/10/43, p.14.)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

On May 7, 1943, five fire barges from the Coast Guard took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock. The drill was intended to show their ability to stamp out waterfront fires. The three larger barges are pictured. They could pump 4,000 gallons a minute. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

One of the three Coast Guard fire barges stationed to protect Tacoma's waterfront showed off its water pumping abilities in May of 1943. U.S. Coast Guard inspectors were visiting Tacoma to look for fire hazards and award "Good Housekeeping" pennants to the waterfront businesses that had eliminated fire hazards on their property. Accumulations of waste wood and bark, drifting logs and oil on pilings and bulkheads were the most serious problems found. The fire barges were propelled by two engines at the rear and could scoot around the waterfront at very rapid speed. (T. Times 5/10/1943 p.14)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

One of the five Coast Guard fire barges stationed in Tacoma showed off its pumping ability during a May 7, 1943 drill. The barges were propelled by two engines at the rear and could move across the water very rapidly. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);