Tacoma's Alert Hose Co. No. 2 volunteer firefighting company, in uniform, were photographed on August 8, 1885 as they prepared to join the funeral parade to be held that day for former President Ulysses S. Grant. President Grant's portrait is framed in black and placed aboard the company hose wagon. He had died on July 23, 1885, and the Territorial Governor of Washington had declared that the day of his funeral would be an official day of mourning. The firehouse was located at So. 13th & A Street, which was later the location of the Tacoma Railroad & Power substation. Alert Hose Co. No. 2 was probably one of four hose companies organized between March and August, 1885. The company's hose apparatus may have been built by the volunteers themselves. Adelbert Uriah Mills, center in black beard holding bouquet, was the captain and would later become the Commissioner of Public Safety. A partial list of firefighters' names appears in a Tacoma Daily Ledger article on March 9, 1913. (Talbot: 100 Years of Fire fighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 15, TDL 3-9-1913, p. 45) KING-013, TPL 2896.

As part of the Fire College held in Tacoma June 17-20, 1936, a three hour fire fighting demonstration was held at the Stadium Bowl on June 19th. The finale was the setting fire of a 1 1/2 story structure. The fire was allowed to engulf the building; the Tacoma Fire Department then extinguished the flame. Here one man stands on a ladder at the second story window holding a can of gasoline; another man poses inside the window. They are getting the building ready to be sent up in flames.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Ladders; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

The Spokane Washington Fire Department demonstrates the use of ladders during the Firefighting demonstration on June 19, 1936 that capped off the first ever Northwest Fire College. Paid and volunteer fire departments from Washington, Montana, Idaho and British Columbia met in Tacoma June 17-20, 1936 to share fire fighting techniques and information.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Ladders; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

The Firefighters' Convention was held June 17-20, 1936 in Tacoma. The highlight was a nighttime firefighting demonstration at Stadium Bowl on June 19th. An audience of 25,000 crowded into the Bowl to watch the 3 hour free show, which included a display of 50 years of fire fighting equipment. An early fire fighting vehicle and current fire engine are parked on the field. A large crowd of spectators pack the concrete bleachers. Stadium High School and other buildings in background. (T. Times 6/18/1936, pg. 1)

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

Firefighter's Convention demonstration of fire fighting techniques held June 19, 1936 at the Stadium Bowl. The three hour show went on into the evening. In this night scene, you can see the five story sample structure used by the Tacoma Fire Department to demonstrate techniques on tall buildings. A 1 1/2 story house was hauled onto the field and burned as a demonstration. Pictured are structures, fire trucks, ambulance, medical personnel and firefighters in mock demonstrations. (T. Times 6/18/1936, pg. 1; 6/19/1936, pg. 1)

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

The highlight of the June 17-20, 1936, Firefighters College was the three hour demonstration at the Stadium Bowl. A 1 1/2 story house was hauled out to the field and torched so that Tacoma firefighters could extinguish the blaze. A shiver went through the crowd as the fire raced through the building, almost getting away from the firemen. (T. Times 6/19/1936, pg. 1)

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

Six unidentified firemen from the combined Fire Departments of Puyallup and Auburn performed a life line drill at the firefighting demonstration held at the Stadium Bowl on June 19, 1936. The dramatic "rescue" from a specially built five story structure was one of the highlights of the three hour public performance of firefighting techniques presented during the First Northwest Fire College held from June 17-20. In this photograph the upper men are hooked to the life line and are sliding downward while holding the other men in a hand to hand grip. The audience for the presentation was estimated at 25,000.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

Tacoma Fire Department Truck Company 2 performs a life saving drill in this photograph taken during the 3 hour firefighting demonstration at the Stadium Bowl on June 19, 1936. The demonstration was held for the public to enjoy the daring exploits of the Northwest firefighters at the conclusion of the Fire College held in Tacoma June 17-20. In this photograph, ladders are being used to access the interior of this mock up five story building. A dummy is being lowered on a platform; the platform is attached to and controlled by the aerial ladder on the fire truck.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

As a part of the firefighting technique demonstration at the Stadium Bowl on June 19, 1936, the combined fire departments of Puyallup and Auburn performed a drill with Pompier Ladders. The scaling ladders were invented in the late 1800s when tenements bloomed to house incoming immigrants. The tenement buildings were so tall that they were beyond the reach of conventional ladder companies. The Pompier Ladder was invented to save lives in these cases. It had a saw tooth hook on one end and rungs on the long end. The hook part was plunged through a window and hooked onto the sill. The firefighter could then climb up and into the window and the procedure could be repeated to access even higher windows.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Ladders; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

Providing a little comic relief at the June 19th, 1936 Firefighting demonstration at the Stadium Bowl was the Skagit County fire department with their "day in the life of a fire fighter." In this photograph, the fire alarm siren has just sounded and the firemen rise from their bunks in their mock up station, preparing to respond to the call.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

Weary and stunned residents of Fife Corners check out the remnants of homes and businesses demolished by fire on May 9, 1935. The air is still thick with smoke as eight buildings were destroyed and many others damaged by the fire which was carried by strong winds. Although residents and volunteers tried their best, and managed to save or minimize damage to some buildings, their efforts were hampered by lack of water and fire fighting equipment. (T.Times 5-10-35, p. 1-article & various photographs; TDL 5-10-35, p. 1-article)

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

ca. 1936. Tacoma Fire Company. Side view of Fireboat No. 1 with jets of water shooting into Commencement Bay.

Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;

At 6:30 p.m. on June 19, 1936, Tacoma Fire Truck Companies 1 & 2 staged a spectacular life line drill at 9th & Commerce to the delight and awe of spectators. It was all part of the first ever Northwest Fire College, held in Tacoma June 17-20, 1936. The two big trucks hoisted their 75 foot ladders overhead in an inverted "V" with life lines running on both sides for the fire fighters to run up, slide down and rescue victims. This photograph shows six firemen standing on a ladder truck marked T.F.D. No. 1. The firefighters are wearing white uniforms with wide canvas belts around their waists. Downtown crowds observe the training activity. (T. Times 6/16/1936, pg. 1)

Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma); Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ladders;

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;

The old London Dock and the Waterside Milling Company plant were destroyed by fire shortly after noon on Tuesday, January 7,1936. Flames and thick black smoke engulfed the warehouse building and dock while firemen and equipment on land fought to quell the fire. The City fireboat and four Foss tugs were also called into action and together, they managed to contain the fire to stop it from spreading to other nearby warehouses and docks. It was reported that a wood dust explosion caused the $260,000 fire. The Waterside Milling Co. specialized in the manufacture of wood flour, which was a finely powdered form of wood. (T. Times, 1-7-36, p. 1-article; T.Times 1-8-36, p. 1+-article; TDL 1-8-36, p. 1-article & various photographs; 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; Smoke--Tacoma; Waterside Milling Co. (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On January 7, 1936, the City Fireboat and four Foss tugs were called in to fight the blaze at the old London Dock and the Waterside Milling Co. A passenger steamer, reported to be the Virginia V, was tied up at the adjacent Tacoma Municipal Dock. The Milling Co.'s wheat warehouse was gutted due to a spontaneous dust explosion. Flames shot 150 feet into the air and caused damages totaling $260,000. The fireboat and tugs kept the blaze under control with powerful streams of water, but the damage was too extensive and the structure could not be saved. (T. Times, 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95, T.Times 1-7-36, p. 1, TDL 1-8-36, p. 1) For additional images of this event, see series D638 images 1,4,8 & 9.

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Two firemen using ater jets, two others watching.

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;

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.);

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;

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;

On May 11, 1949 fire trucks, equipment and fire fighters from McChord Field and from Lakewood helped extinguish the blaze that destroyed this dry cleaning establishment. View of site where McChord Dry Cleaning Shop previously stood; the fire completely destroyed the business although a small portion of the building structure still stands (T.N.T., 5/12/49, p. A-9).

Fires--Lakewood--1940-1950; Disasters--Lakewood--1940-1950; Fire fighters--Lakewood; Fire fighting--Lakewood; Fire engines & equipment--Lakewood--1940-1950; McChord Dry Cleaning Shop (Lakewood);

K Street fire at Meyer Drug Store. Police officers were praised for the efficient manner in which they handled the Meyer Drug Company fire. View of spectators lining the street and sidewalk in front of the Associated, "Flying A" service station while fire is in progress (T.Times, 5/30/44, p. 1).

Fire fighting--Tacoma; Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meyer Drug Co. (Tacoma);

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;