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.);

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.);

Tacoma's Fireboat #1, with several streams of water shooting into the air, demonstrates its ability to defend the waterfront from fire during a May 7, 1943 drill. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

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

Heavy smoke billows from the remains of the C & S Foundry, 3018 So. Chandler St., destroyed by a fast burning fire on March 23, 1943. In 45 minutes, the fire was contained but the foundry was lost, sustaining $15,000 in damages. Quick work by 11 fire fighting companies, civilians and members of the Coast Guard stopped the fire from spreading to the surrounding Center St. industrial district. (TNT 03-25-1943 p.1)

Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950; C & S Foundry (Tacoma); Fire fighters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Satterly - Teamsters Union. A small fire engine has Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation,"Number 1" painted on the side of the door and there are dials the valves on the side just in front of the door. A siren is attached over the hood and "Tacoma Division" is painted on the engine cover.

Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1940-1950;

This is the new $13,000 scarlet fire engine, trimmed with chrome, that was put into service at Fircrest in July of 1951. It had traveled up from California. On the way it put out two vehicle fires and came to the assistance of a bus. At the wheel is Fire Chief Oren W. Satterlee. Leo J. Ash, city councilman in charge of the fire department, is in the middle. Fircrest's Mayor Nelson J. Morrison is on the right. Children were invited to visit the fire station on July 12th for rides and fire chief hats. The new acquisition carried 500 gallons of water with a pumping capacity of 600 gallons per minute. It had 1,300 feet of hose. The old unit, a 1939 model, would be kept mainly for brush fires. Fircrest at the time had a population of 1600 and was undergoing a building boom. (TNT, 7/11/1951, p.8)

Fircrest Fire Department (Fircrest); Fire engines & equipment--Fircrest; Satterlee, Oren W.; Ash, Leo J.; Morrison, Nelson J.; Mayors--Fircrest--1950-1960;

Firefighters from eight companies labored nearly four hours on the evening of November 9, 1949, combating the stubborn 2-11 fire which gutted the one-story brick facilities of the Avenue Tire Shop, located at 2311 Pacific Avenue. Loss to the tire shop, principally in ruined tires and damaged machinery, was estimated at $35,000. Adjacent properties, including Willner Clothing Company, also suffered damage. No injuries were reported. (TNT,11/10/1949, p.1-alt. photograph) TPL-9144

Avenue Tire Shop (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Tacoma Fire Department provided ladders and the Safeway stores supplied scaffolding when members of the Painters Union, local # 64 and members of the Tacoma Junior Chamber of Commerce took on the project of painting Tacoma's totem pole at South 9th & A Street in 1955. By official proclamation, Mayor Harold M. Tollefson had declared May 8-14, 1955 "Clean up, fix up, paint up" week in Tacoma. This annual event encouraged citizens to clean out their basements, attics and yards and dispose of excess items. The re-painting of the totem pole was the project chosen to kick off the campaign. Local # 64 had already painted the totem pole once before in April of 1948.

Totem poles--Tacoma; Painting--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1950-1960; Laborers--Tacoma; Painters Union Local No. 64 (Tacoma); Labor unions--Tacoma; Urban beautification--Tacoma--1950-1960; Scaffolding--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment;

ca. 1955. View in 1955 of the tall doors to the garage bay where the fire engines are stored at Tacoma Fire Department's Engine Company #17. A reader notes that although signage over the doors indicated that Truck Co. #5 also operated from this station, the Tacoma Fire Department never established a staffed Truck 5 out of this station or anywhere else and still operates to this day with only four ladder companies city-wide. In addition to room for a thousand gallon pump truck and 75 ft aerial ladder truck, the building contained accommodations for 18 firemen and six officers. Lighting in the apparatus room came from large clerestory windows. Radiant heating panels were installed in the floors over which the trucks stood, to keep them warm and ready in all types of weather. The station had an enclosed outside garden court adjacent to the living quarters. It was closed when Engine Co. #17 moved to Fircrest. (TNT 1/9/1955) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Fire stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Fire Department, Engine Company #17 (Tacoma);

The plant formerly occupied by the Tacoma Sash & Door Co. on the Tideflats was destroyed by a $400,000, 2 hour fire on May 9, 1959. The building had been abandoned by the previous company and was now occupied by 8 smaller businesses, including Nordlund & Silva Boat Co., Educators Manufacturing, Nu Life Fertilizer, City Millwork, General Hardwood Co. and Thunderbird Water Ski Co. All of the businesses suffered extensive losses, most were insured to some extent. The fire was started by an oil burner and tank that were installed without the Fire Department's knowledge. Three-fourths of the sprinkler system had been turned off a few days before the fire due to its leakage on desks stored in the plant by Educators Manufacturing. Firefighters kept the flames from spreading to surrounding plants. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1; 5/10/1959, pg. 1, TNT 5/19/1959, pg. 3)

Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma);

The newly formed Browns Point volunteer fire department tried out their new equipment on one of the Point cottages on March 15, 1925. Their equipment included two portable hose reels, 1,000 feet of 2 1/2 inch double-jacketed hose, two portable chemical tanks and a motor driven siren. Water was available through six hydrants placed at convenient locations in the city. The volunteer fire department included Chief Oscar Brown, Allie Hoska, Fred Schenck, Ed McClure, Jerry Meeker, Will Burrows, Vic Bjorklund, Rolla Gilman, Clint Hull, Bill Wharton, Fred Allstrum, Bob Gleason Jr., Andy Wingard and Bob Gleason Sr. (TNT 3/17/1925, pg. 22) Boland-A7134, TPL-705

Fire fighters--Browns Point; Firefighting equipment--Browns Point;

Work continues on the installation of equipment aboard the new Tacoma Fire Boat No. 1 in June of 1929. One unidentified man is standing on top of a Sterling-Viking gasoline engine carefully monitoring the lowering of what possibly is a pump. After the fire boat's successful launching on June 8th, the vessel was moved to a Port of Tacoma pier where five engines were to be installed as well as four centrifugal pumps. This was Tacoma's first fire boat, officially known as Tacoma Fire Boat No. 1, with a hull of 95 1/2 feet, 21 1/2 beam and 6-foot draft. G26.1-042 (TDL 6-8-29, p. 1-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-9-29, p. 1-article)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Boat engines;

On November 5, 1899, over 50,000 admirers lined the tracks of the Northern Pacific Railroad to welcome home the First Washington Volunteer Infantry Regiment, the "Fighting First," from their battle service in the Philippines. The crowd was so thick that it lined the track for miles, stretching upward to cover rooftops with a mass of humanity. The soldiers had been absent for 18 months, a year spent training and six months spent fighting Filipino insurgents in Manila and Luzon. Over 1,125 men left for the Philippines of which 129 never returned, felled by battle or disease. The Regiment was made up of 12 companies, mostly National Guard, from Seattle (2), Spokane (2), Walla Walla, Vancouver, Centralia, Dayton, Yakima, Waitsburg, Ellensburg and Tacoma. Picture of the crowd awaiting the arrival of the volunteers' train. On the left of the track were, front to back, 1701 Commerce (built 1892), a building at the corner of Jefferson and So. 17th St. and 1511-41 Pacific Ave. The street running along the left side of the track is Hood St.; the track is the Northern Pacific Portland branch.

First Washington Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Wash.); Philippine Insurrection, (1899-1902); Crowds; Homecomings;

ca. 1911. In 1911, Truck Co. No. 1 received a Seagrave tractor for aerial; their old tractor was given to Truck Co. No. 2. View of Truck Co. No. 2 firefighters with No. I's truck, pulled by three horses, taken the same year. According to the Tacoma Times, this was Tacoma's first modern ladder truck. At the tiller is L.S. Finney with Harry White driving. Standing next to the driver's seat is Charles W. Nichols. Standing on the ground, left to right, are: S.F. Buck, William F. Bing, A.L. Hooten, Edward Evans. TPL-709. (Talbot: 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 52; T. Times 6/18/1936, pg.1)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma;

ca. 1911. Sepia photograph of Engine Co. No. 4's new quarters in the 200 block of E. 26th St. near "C." This large two-story brick structure had three apparatus doors. Three men are standing outside the facility, seemingly dwarfed by the massive building. Engine Co. No. 4 had moved from 505-507 E. 26th to 224 E. 26th in 1911 and remained there until 1972. It is on both the City and National Registry.

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire stations--Tacoma--1910-1920;

ca. 1911. June, 1911, saw Engine Co. No. 4 in new quarters at 224 E. 26th St., just a few blocks distant from their old location. They were now housed in a two-story brick building that was equipped with three bays. Sepia photograph shows the men and equipment of Station No. 4. In 1910 they received a 2nd class American LaFrance Metropolitan steam fire engine, possibly shown above. This brick building designed by Frederic Shaw is still standing and is on the city and national registry of historic buildings. (100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 49, 52)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire stations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma;

ca. 1909. In 1909 Engine Co. No. 4 were still in their old quarters in the 400 block of E. 26th St. A new two-story brick building would be constructed at 220-24 E. 26th in 1911. Seven firemen are pictured in this sepia photograph; pump drivers at that time were M.E. Shaver and Dick Brown. In 1910 Engine Co. No. 4 would receive a 2nd class American LaFrance Metropolitan steam fire engine . The dog in the photograph is believed to be Jumbo, the station mascot. He was a combination Mastiff-Newfoundland and an integral part of the station. Jumbo dashed alongside the apparatus at the first tap of the alarm bell and used his powerful jaws to drag hose. Thick smoke and flames did not deter him; he worked side-by-side with his fellow firefighters. When he died at a ripe old age, taps was played at his funeral; two special honor taps were struck for him. Jumbo was buried in a secluded spot near the firehouse. (100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 20, 34-35)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Dogs--Tacoma;

In October of 1928, Tacoma Fire Station No. 15 at 3510 East 11th was nearing completion. The station was designed by M. J. Nicholson, architect, of brick, tile and stucco. It was one of three new stations built with funds provided by the passage of a March 1928 bond issue. Station #15 was located at East 11th and Taylor Way, on the east side of the Tideflats. The other two new stations were in Fernhill at South 74th and Park and in North Tacoma at North 41st and Gore. Construction costs of the stations totalled around $27,000 and 30 new fire fighters were added to the rolls to man the stations. Station #15 worked 5 men to a shift, including officers, and was under the command of Capt. Charley Mustoe and Lt. William R. Sherman.The three stations opened at the end of January and the beginning of February, 1929. Station #15 is on the City Registry of Historic Buildings and was added to the National Register on 5/2/1986.

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire Station No. 15 (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.;

Tacoma played host to the first Northwest Fire College June 17-20, 1936. The school was an opportunity for professional and volunteer fire departments from across the Northwest to train together and share techniques. The remains of the burned out Tacoma Hotel had been left intact for training. On Thursday, June 18th, 1936, eerie red lights once again glowed inside the hotel as Tacoma's various fire departments sped to the scene. The first floor is well-lit in this night-time exposure. Automobiles are parked in front of the fenced-off hotel. The Balfour dock, destroyed in a January 1936 fire, was also left intact for training. (T. Times 6/19/1936)

Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotels--Tacoma; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);

In June of 1936, Norman E. Whiteman, left, and Detmer H. Ketler, two Tacoma fire fighters from the Tacoma Avenue station, modeled and demonstrated fire equipment from the 1880s for the Tacoma Times. Whiteman wears the belt and hat of the "Alert" Hose Co. #2, a volunteer organization established in 1885. He is holding the hose belonging to the first two wheel hose cart owned by "New Tacoma." Ketler is garbed as one of "Our Boys," another volunteer firefighting unit from the 1880's. He shouts orders through the old chief's silver plated trumpet. (T Times 6/18/1936, pg. 1)

Fire fighters--Tacoma--1890-1900; Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Whiteman, N.E.; Ketler, D.H.; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1890-1900;

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);

Old London Dock destroyed by fire on January 7, 1936. City fireboat and Foss tugs dousing flames at waterfront Waterside Milling Co. warehouse. Thick plumes of smoke drift into the Bay as the Tacoma Fire Department tries to staunch the enormous blaze. Wood dust exploded in the Waterside wheat warehouse causing the building and dock to be gutted; damages were set at $260,000. Thousands of residents lined the 11th St. Bridge and surrounding hillsides to watch the spectacular sight. (T. Times, 1-7-36, p. 1, TDL 1-8-36, p. 1, 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95).

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The Old London Dock and the Waterside Milling Co. on Tacoma's waterfront were destroyed by fire on January 7, 1936. The City fireboat and four Foss tugs are shown fighting the enormous blaze which had earlier threatened the Municipal Dock, Western States grocery and Younglove grocery warehouse. The 2000 foot Waterside Milling Co. warehouse was divided into long sections separated by brick fire walls. The fire walls on the south end of the London Dock helped to stop the blaze from spreading in that direction. There were no reported fatalities among the sixteen workers on the dock at the time of the fire, although one man suffered burns. Total damages, according to the Tacoma Daily Ledger, were set at $260,000. The ruins of the Tacoma Hotel and the city skyline loom in the background. (T. Times, 1-7-36, p. 1, TDL 1-8-36, p. 1, 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95).

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;

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);

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;

Smoke fills the air as part of Fife Corners burned down in May of 1935. Strong southwest winds spread burning shingles from building to building, causing damages of over $20,000. Residents and volunteers fought heroically with buckets of water and soaked gunny sacks but at least eight buildings were destroyed and many others damaged. The lack of fire fighting equipment and enough water hampered efforts to put out the fires. (T.Times 5-10-35, p. 1-article & various photographs; TDL 5-10-35, p. 1-article)

Fires--Fife--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Fife--1930-1940; Disasters--Fife--1930-1940; Smoke--Fife;

ca. 1936. Tacoma Fire Company, Fireboat No. 1 and crew on Commencement Bay.

Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;

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;