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;

K Street fire at Meyer Drug Store. The Meyer Drug Company fire was started in the basement with fly poison spray. Tacoma Firemen were aided by the Civilian Defense Fire Fighter Auxiliary and the Coast Guard. It quickly destroyed a significant portion of the store. View of unidentified fire fighter, probably Coast Guard, standing in front of fire engine (T. Times, 5/30/44, p. 1).

Fire fighters--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Meyer Drug Co. (Tacoma);

Group of uniformed fire fighters at Fire Station #1 with fire truck in the background. This two story, two bay frame firehouse went into service in 1920.

Fire fighters--Tacoma--1950-1960; Uniforms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire stations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

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.);

In May of 1943, Tacoma Fireboat #1 was used to patrol Tacoma's 36 miles of marine shoreline. Tacoma's first fireboat, it was launched in 1929 and served for 53 years, putting out waterfront fires and responding to emergencies such as sinking vessels and water rescues. During the war years, the city fire department and the Coast Guard patrolled waterfront businesses looking for fire hazards and awarding Waterfront Defense "Good Housekeeping" pennants. Fireboat #1 was retired from service in 1982 and designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1989. She is displayed in a permanent dry berth at Marine Park off Ruston Way. The long, low and narrow riveted steel hulled vessel is 96.6 feet in length and could reach speeds of up to 15 knots. She is one of 10 vessels constructed as fireboats greater than 50 years of age left in the US. Of the five 1920's fireboats, she is the least modified and has not undergone extensive modernization. (T.Times, 5/10/43, p.14; National Park Service website under Maritime Heritage Program) TPL-8671

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950;

City Firemen and their Fireboat #1, pictured, cooperated with the Coast Guard in an exercise on May 7, 1943 demonstrating their ability to cope with waterfront fires. The fireboat and the Coast Guard's five fire barges drilled off Old Town Dock, pumping a combined 23,700 gallons of water a minute. The drill also called attention to the last few days of the Tacoma Waterfront Defense Committee's clean up drive. (T.Times, 5/10/43, p. 14)

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

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;

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;

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;

New Fire Hall with equipment, Pierce County Fire District #3. The building was designed by architect Lyle Swedberg, and constructed by G. Kirkebo & Son Co. after bids were obtained in 1952. The building was paid for by cash and replaced the volunteer firefighters headquarters. The district was officially established in 1945 as a tax supported fire district by a majority vote of property owners. At the time the district was formed, the members of the volunteer fire fighting force sold their equipment, which included a fully equipped truck, to the district for $1. In addition to the new station, the district has a nearly new truck and two older trucks. (TNT 4/10/1952, pg. 10)

Fire engines & equipment--Pierce County--1950-1960; Fire stations--Pierce County--1950-1960;

The Gig Harbor fire department's trucks, firemen and firefighting apparatus posed for a November 2, 1955, evening photograph, outside a local Chevrolet dealership. In 1955, the volunteer fire department of Pierce County Fire District #5, headed by fire chief Charles L. Summers, answered 14 calls with only one major fire. One new and one used truck, perhaps the ones shown in the above picture, were added to help firefighters. A new station was built in Arletta to cut down on the time to answer calls. Firefighters presumably would have taken care of fires and other emergencies in the peninsula area. Photograph ordered by the Gig Harbor Firemen's Association. (TNT 1-22-56, B-7)

Fire engines & equipment--Gig Harbor; Fire fighters--Gig Harbor; Gig Harbor Firemen's Association (Gig Harbor); Automobile dealerships--Gig Harbor--1950-1960;

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);

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);

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;

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;

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;

Exterior of fire station #9. Fire Station #9 moved from its longtime location on No. Pine St. to 3502 Sixth Ave. in 1965. The modern one-story was a three bay frame designed by architects James Harris and William R. Reed. Emerging from one of the bays is the battalion chief's car; two fire engines are also side-by-side. The fire station would be dedicated on June 24, 1965. It was built with 1963 bond issue funds. (Talbot: 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 174; TNT 6-23-65, D-2) TPL-10052

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Tacoma Fire Department, Fire Station No. 9 (Tacoma); Fire stations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The Spanaway/Elk Plain Fire Department practices resuscitation techniques on one of their own on November 29, 1967. One fireman is being given oxygen by his fellow firefighters at the Spanaway fire station. They were part of Pierce County Fire District #7. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Opportunity.

Fire fighters--Spanaway; Fire engines & equipment--Spanaway; Artificial respiration;