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;

For 45 minutes, beginning around 4:15p.m. on March 23, 1943, eleven fire fighting companies plus civilians and members of the Coast Guard fought a 3 alarm fire at the C & S Foundry that threatened to spread to the surrounding Center St. industrial district. In the end, the foundry was destroyed, sustaining an estimated $15,000 in damages, and the Tacoma Millwork Supply Co. and the Anderson Fir Finish Co. were slightly damaged. (TNT 03-25-1943 p.1; T. Times 3/24/1943, pg. 1)

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

At appoximately 4:30 p.m. on March 23, 1945 sparks from molten metal started a fire at the C & S Foundry, 3018 So. Chandler St. The fire was so hot that it spread to both the Tacoma Millwork Co. and the Anderson Fir Finishing Co. A Northern Pacific switching crew rescued railroad cars from sidings at the burning plants. The blaze eventually brought out eleven fire companies, and both Civilian Defence auxiliary firemen and a squad of U. S. Coast Guard sailors. Fire Chief Emery Whitaker gave high praise to both the auxiliary firemen and the coast guard sailors for helping to contain the fire. (TNT 03/25/1943 p.1; T Times 3/24/1943, pg. 1+))

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

A lone firefighter is silhouetted against the sky as he battles the blaze at the C & S Foundry on March 23, 1943. The fire was the result of sparks from molten metal and it burned hot and spread quickly. Firemen, civilians and members of the Coast Guard fought the 3 alarm fire for 45 minutes. The foundry was destroyed with an estimated $15,000 in damages and the blaze also spread to nearby Tacoma Millwork Supply Co. and Anderson Fir Finish Co., causing slight damage. (TNT 03-25-1943 p.1; T. Times 3/25/1943, pg. 1)

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

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;

Eight men, all unidentified members of the Tacoma Fire Department, posed at the fire training school on July 10, 1964. They were standing in front of a hook-and-ladder. The training tower in the rear was located in the Port Industrial area. The TFD would later lend equipment and training facilities such as the tower to the Tacoma Vocational-Technical Institute for a new 18-month course to train future firemen. Photograph ordered by Cole & Weber Advertising.

Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Yards of hose lay entwined on the street as firemen fight to contain the massive September 21, 1963, fire at Manning's Market, 1102 Commerce St. A 100-foot ladder is extended to the top floors of the building. 13 engine companies, four truck companies, two rescue units and three fire chiefs responded to the blaze that gutted the interior of Manning's and totaled Mierow's Jewelry and Raff's Shoe Store on Broadway. Estimated damages for the entire fire were $700,000. See D137300, Image 535, for another view of fire. (Talbot: 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 136; TNT 9-22-63, A-1) TPL-9892

Manning's Market (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma;

Firemen gather at the South 11th & Broadway side of Manning's Market on September 21, 1963, to try to put out a massive fire that ultimately gutted the building. (The Bon Marche can be seen in the background.) Flames had engulfed the open area of the coffee shop and firemen were forced to retreat. The loss was estimated at $400,000. This was a 3-11 B-Shift fire which involved 13 engine companies, four truck companies, two rescue units, and three chiefs along with the off-shift. Although there were fifteen injuries reported, apparently none were fatal. The summer of 1963 was a bad one for fires: just a few days before this massive fire, the Tradewell supermarket at 6th & Union was declared a total loss with damages of $400,000 and Pier 7 burned in July in a C Shift fire with over a million dollars in damage. (Talbot: 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 136-37, p. 132-35; TNT 9-22-63, A-1) TPL-9891

Manning's Market (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Smoke pours out of the top floors of Manning's Market on September 21, 1963. Several firemen are on the overhang trying to contain the massive fire and one man is midway on the 100 foot engine ladder. The $400,000 fire gutted the interior of Manning's, a longtime institution in Tacoma that contained a coffee shop, cafe, meat market, bakery and beauty salon. In addition, Mierow's Jewelry and Raff's Shoe Store on Broadway were total losses. Thrifty Drugs sustained smoke and water damage. Estimated damages for the entire fire were set at $700,000: $250,000 for the Warburton and Slayden buildings and $450,000 for contents. Altogether, 13 engine companies, four truck companies, two rescue units (one from the Midland Fire Dept.), and three chiefs were dispatched to the fire. Fifteen injuries were reported but none serious. Company owners planned to rebuild after the fire. (Talbot: 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 136; TNT 9-22-63, A-1) TPL-9890

Manning's Market (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma;

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;

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;

Firemen pause in the fight against the raging fire that destroyed the plant formerly occupied by the Tacoma Sash & Door Co. Firemen from 16 companies answered the call that came at around 11:30a.m. on May 9, 1959 to fight the fire on the Tideflats. Firemen battled the blaze for more than two hours before containing it. The building, which was occupied by eight small businesses, was totally destroyed. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1 & 5/10/1959, pg. 1)

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

Firefighters from 16 companies fought for two hours to subdue the blazes consuming the plant that formerly housed the Tacoma Sash & Door Co. At times the flames reached an estimated 150 feet in height and a brisk 50 mph wind blew sparks into the firemen's eyes and damaged roof tops of surrounding businesses. The heat was so intense that workers at the Buffelen plant 100 feet away could not stand to be outside. After the fire was subdued, 3 chimneys of the original structure were all that was left standing. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1 & 5/10/1959, pg. 1)

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

Firemen fight bravely to subdue the flames at the old Tacoma Sash & Door Co. plant on the Tideflats. Fire broke out at approximately 11 a.m. on May 9, 1959 and raged for over 2 hours, sending sparks flying far enough to start a brush fire on a Northeast Tacoma hillside across the Hylebos Waterway. Firemen from 16 companies responded to the blaze and Fire Chief Fisk sent out a call for all off duty firemen to respond as well. At stake were the surrounding factories and plants, Buffelen Woodworking, Acme, Reichhold Chemical, Justus Co. and Rock Wool Co. All of these companies worked with highly flammable materials, but sustained only light fire damage. Completely lost were the materials and stored inventories of the eight companies occupying the sash and door plant. Ironically, the buildings were for sale. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1; 5/10/1959, pg. 1)

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

Tacoma firemen bravely try to contain the blaze at the buildings formerly occupied by the Tacoma Sash & Door Co. on the Tideflats. Over 21 firemen were treated on the scene for smoke inhalation, exhaustion and acid burns. The fire was fought by sixteen companies aided by a fireboat and off duty fireman. The fire did over $400,000 in damage to the structure and the inventories of the eight small businesses that occupied the buildings. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1 & 5/10/1959, pg. 1)

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

The raging fire at the old Tacoma Sash & Door Co. plant broke out in a building where several people employed by Nordlund & Silva Boat Co. were working on small pleasure boats. All individuals escaped without injury. However, in the two hour fight to contain the blaze, 21 fireman were overcome by smoke or exhaustion or suffered acid burns. The flames at time shot to an estimated 150 feet in height, fed by the mahogany, school desks and fertilizer stored at the plant. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1, 5/10/1959, pg. 1)

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

This is the aftermath of a spectacular fire that broke out on May 9, 1959, on the Tideflats at the plant for the Tacoma Sash & Door Co. The fire, the year's most spectacular, completely destroyed the plant and the equipment and materials of the eight smaller companies that occupied the building. The financial loss in the fire was estimated at $400, 000. Sixteen fire companies aided by a fireboat and off duty firemen battled the blazes, whipped up by a 50 mph southwesterly wind, to keep them from spreading to other volatile industries, such as Buffelen Woodworking, the tanks at Reichhold Chemical and the Rock Wool Co. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1-article & alternate photograph & 5/10/1959, pg 1 & alternate photograph)

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

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

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;

Firefighters W.C. Harbin (driver) and S.J. Pollard are aboard Engine Company # 6 engine in February of 1924. They staffed the headquarters for the Tacoma Fire Department, located at South 9th & A Streets in downtown Tacoma. Company # 6's pump motor had been built in city shops. In 1924 Tacoma had twelve fire stations and the Fire Department had a staff of 145 employees. (print has been torn) (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 2-17-24, G-1)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire stations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pollard, S.J.; Harbin, W.C.;

ca. 1923. Three members of the Tacoma Fire Department are pictured in this early 1920's photograph with a Tacoma built engine. It is possible that this is the 1910 Seagrave Combination Hose and Chemical wagon attached to the Engine Co. No. 6. The hose wagon was rebuilt in 1922. (Talbot: 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 62)

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

In October of 1920, Al McCoy, one of the last farriers working in Tacoma posed beside "Big John," the veteran fire horse of the Tacoma Fire Department and one of McCoy's steady customers for 20 years. Mr. McCoy worked at the John A. Andrews Blacksmith Shop, located at 1330-32 Commerce St. "Big John" waited patiently for Mr. McCoy to fit his new shoes. He was no longer needed to pull Tacoma's fire wagons and Mrs. W.R. Rust and the Tacoma Humane Society had narrowly saved him from being sent to a glue factory. (TDL 10/3/1920 p.B-4) G66.1-119

Blacksmiths--Tacoma; McCoy, Al; John A. Andrews Blacksmith Shop (Tacoma); Forge shops--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This is Truck Co. No. 2 with their 1913 Seagrave 75-foot aerial in front of Engine House No. 2. The driver was Harry Ketler and tillerman Jim Turner. Others were not identified. The hose tower is in view. Note the planked roadway that is Tacoma Avenue South. St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church is next door to the fire station. (Talbot & Decker: 100 Years of Firefighting, Tacoma, Washington, p. 53)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Fire stations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1910-1920; St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church (Tacoma);

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;

This group of Tacoma firemen may have gathered in support of the Near East relief in December of 1927. Americans were asked to donate one Sunday's meal expenses toward this charitable endeavor. Tacoma had been awarded the title "Golden Rule City of America" in 1926 by virtue of its generous donations. G25.1-094

Fire fighters--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Eating & drinking--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This display of fireworks at the 1924 4th of July celebration held in Tacoma's Stadium Bowl fully expressed what the people of Tacoma thought the correct name should be for our mountain. Tacomans waged an ultimately fruitless battle against the name "Mount Rainier" for Pierce County's majestic mountain. Residents insisted that the original Native American name, "Tacoma," be reinstated and references in local newspapers always referred to "Mt. Tacoma." TPL-308; G20.1-032

Fireworks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On May 12, 1924, seven Clement Avenue District women received instructions, behind the United Presbyterian Church at So. 66th and Clement Avenue, in handling an emergency fire hose cart.. The South Tacoma women were expected to handle any fires which might occur during the day while the men of the district were at work. The women in the fire brigade were identified in the Tacoma Daily Ledger as: (l to r) Mrs. C.W. Stromberg, Mrs. M. L. Gilbertson, Mrs. George Bates, Miss J. Alstead, Mrs. Frank Mazzini, Mrs. M. Nelson and Mrs. Douglas Price. (TDL 5-13-24, p. 2) TPL-710

Fire fighters--Tacoma; Hoses;

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;