In June of 1936, Tacoma hosted the state Fire Chiefs Convention and the first ever Northwest Fire College. Pictured are a few of the veteran firemen in Tacoma for the college. Front row, left to right, Chief Henry J. Quane from Anaconda, Mt.- a well known character who hands out calling cards of pure gold, silver and copper; Chief G. W. Dewar of Havre, Mt.; Ass't. Chief J. Blamey and Chief W.P. Payne of Spokane and Chief Emory N. Whitaker of Tacoma. Back row: Chief William Sanborn and Capt. B.C. Harwood of Sprague, Wa. and Capt. Joe Cook of Seattle, drill instructor. The men are posed for a portrait beside a fire engine. The Washington State Fire Chiefs Association met on June 17th and the Northwest Fire College ran June 18-20, 1936. The Hotel Winthrop served as the location and attendees included all paid and volunteer chiefs in the state, as well as representatives from Montana, Idaho and British Columbia. (T. Times 6/19/1936, pg. 18)
Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1930-1940; Quane, Henry J.; Whitaker, Emory; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);
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.
On April 23, 1937, Tacoma fire fighters posed on their new 75 foot high extension ladder reaching upward into sky. One fireman with a rope over his shoulder was on bottom rung, while another was standing at the very top. The ladder was a replacement for the 24 year old one belonging to Station #2's hook and ladder truck. It was designed and built by Hoseman Royce H. Waldrep when it was determined that the city could not afford to purchase a replacement. The ladder took Waldrep and his team 35 days to build and cost $300, a savings of around $1,000. (filed with Argentum) (T. Times 4/26/1937, pg. 1)
Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ladders;
On April 23, 1937, five fire fighters from Tacoma Station #2 tested their new 75 foot ladder on a city street divided by streetcar tracks. Three men were beside the fire truck and two were on the very high extension ladder which reached into the open air. The ladder was a replacement for a creaky 24 year old model. It was designed and built under the direction of Hoseman Royce H. Waldrep when it was determined that the city could not afford to purchase a replacement. The Tacoma-made ladder cost $300 ( a savings of around $1000) and took 35 days to build. (filed with Argentum) (T. Times 4/26/1937, pg. 1)
Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ladders;
On July 25, 1937, fire broke out at the Puget Sound Manufacturing Company, 1121-23 Saint Paul Ave. Eight fire companies battled the flames for five hours. As the flames were brought under control, fire fighters were photographed spraying water onto the wooden plank floor of the former warehouse. The loss was estimated at $15,000. The fire was believed to have been started by a careless cigarette tossed from an automobile onto a sawdust pile. (T. Times, 7/26/1937, p.1).
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puget Sound Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);
At 12:45 in the afternoon on July 25, 1937, a two alarm fire broke out at the Puget Sound Manufacturing Company. Eight fire companies responded and fought the blazes for five hours. As they fought the flames, three fire fighters held down water hoses as they sprayed water onto the brick exterior of the building at 1121-23 Saint Paul Ave. Loss was estimated at $15,000. (T. Times, 7/16/1937, p. 1).
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puget Sound Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);
Puget Sound Manufacturing Company fire. On July 25, 1937, Fire fighters were photographed dousing the ruins of a warehouse at the Puget Sound Manufacturing Co. Metal debris covers the field beside the burned-out building. Eight fire companies battled the blaze for five hours before it was completely contained. The Puget Sound plant sustained $15,000 in damages and there was also minor damage to the St. Paul Mill Store and the offices of Wheeler Osgood. The Puget Sound Manufacturing Co. specialized in general mill work (T. Times, 7/26/1937, p. 1-picture).
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puget Sound Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);
Puget Sound Manufacturing Company fire on July 25, 1937. Fire fighters inspect the charred ruins inside the former building on Saint Paul Avenue. Eight fire companies fought the $15,000 two-alarm blaze. The fire was believed started by a careless cigarette thrown from an automobile which landed in a sawdust pile on the southside of the plant. A lumber storehouse then burst into flames. The ensuing sparks set fire to the St. Paul mill store and the offices of Wheeler-Osgood but damage was minimal. The fire was finally contained after five hours. (T. Times, 7/26/1937, p. 1-picture).
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puget Sound Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);
At 12:45p.m. on Sunday, July 25th 1937, a fire broke out at the Puget Sound Manufacturing Company. Eight fire companies responded to the two alarm fire and fought the blaze for 5 hours. The loss to the plant exceeded $15,000. (T. Times, 7/26/1937, p. 1).
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puget Sound Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);
Captain E.F. Leo (right) stands next to a newly rebuilt Tacoma Fire Department pumper truck in this photograph from November 1937. The truck had been almost completely destroyed by a collision with a streetcar on January 20, 1935. Working during his spare time over a two year period, George Perry, a maintenance man with the fire department, completely rebuilt the truck. Fireman L. C. Russell is at the wheel. (for photographs of the accident, see series 929, images 1 & 2) (T.Times, 11/04/37, p.5)
Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1930-1940; Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Leo, E. F.;
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;
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;
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. 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. 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. 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;
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
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;
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;
