|
Pre 1900
On March 16, 1897, after a number of uncontrollable fires that resulted in a total loss of property, a group of citizens in the town of Long Beach called for the formation of a volunteer fire department. Twenty-eight charter members signed up as volunteer firemen. Funds were appropriated for a hand drawn ladder truck, which was equipped with leather buckets, axes, and other miscellaneous fire equipment. This apparatus was housed in a building in the alley between Ocean and 1st Street, Pine and Pacific. Entertainment was held in order to raise funds for the purchase of helmets, shirts, belts, etc, for the volunteers. However, in the spring of 1898 the Spanish-American War broke out and several of the volunteer firemen disbanded to go off to fight in the war. Very little can be said regarding the Long Beach Fire Department during the years between 1898 and 1901.
1900-1914
On December 2, 1901 the City Trustees purchased two fire hose carts, together with 1,000 feet of hose and 35 hydrants. On May 27, 1902 the Board of Trustees elected Mr. J.F. Corbet, one of the leading business men of the City, as the first Fire Chief, and Mr. H.D. Wilson as Assistant Chief. However, growing pains were evident in the unsettled conditions in the Department and business commitments in another state caused the resignation of Fire Chief Corbet and Assistant Chief Wilson. This caused a reorganization of the Department with the formation of three companies and the installation of J.E. Shrewsbury as Fire Chief.
In 1906 a $30,000 bond issue was voted in to provide for the building of a Central Fire Station, located on the north end of the City Hall block,a steam fire engine, a hose wagon and ladder truck, horses, fire alarm boxes,equipment,and payed personnel. Seven horses and harnesses were purchased. The horses were trained and housed in stalls at the rear of each piece apparatus. The harnesses for the horses were suspended from the ceiling with collars open. The horses were trained to eat with the bridle on and the bit in their mouth. Two men were assigned to be in position at each apparatus so they could snap the collar shut and attach the leather lines to the horses bridle. The drivers were responsible for the feeding and care of a team of two horses. The horses worked six days and had the seventh day off. Firemen were on continuous duty for 7 days and nights with the 8 th day off. The men were allowed to have three meals a day at home, but were required to respond to all alarms. The Regulars were assisted with what became known as "Call Firemen". Call Firemen would receive two dollars per fire and one dollar extra if the job took more than one hour.
In 1907, Long Beach purchases two Rambler motor driven units and has the distinction of being the first fire department west of the rockies to have a motorised fire engine. In 1911 a new Mitchell Chemical Truck, the first motor driven pumper (a Robinson), and a Seagrave air cooled motor tractor to motorize the ladder truck. By 1914, the Long Beach Fire Dept adopts the new work scedule of the one-day-in-five rule. The Department now consisted of four stations: Central Station at 3rd and Pacific; Station #2 at 526 E Anaheim ; Station #3 at 1929 Appleton ; and Station #4 at 4th and Loma. Stations 2 and 3 were built as bungalows with living quarters on each side of the apparatus floor. One side was occupied by the Officer-in-Charge and his family, while the other side was bachelor quarters for the other members.
The Teens
On May 2, 1916 while answering an alarm (which later turned out to be false), Chief Shrewsbury and Mr. Clark Shaw, Superintendent of the Water Department, who were riding in the Chiefs "Mitchell", collided with the Oldsmobile chemical truck carrying Assistant Chief Craw and his driver George Wright. This accident fatally injured Chief Shrewsbury and seriously injured Assistant Chief Craw, Clark Shaw, and George Wright. Since this left the department without a commanding officer, Captain J.B. Taylor was appointed Acting Chief. A few months later, upon his release for duty, Assistant Chief Craw was made Fire Chief and Captain Taylor became Assistant Chief.
|
1920
In 1926 Chief George Craw retired and William S. Minter was appointed Chief. After the fall of the Stock Market in 1929, the country faced some very hard times. It was during that year Station 12 was built, but due to lack of funds, Station 12 was not occupied until 1936. During those five years, Station 12 was used as the W.P.A. sewing center. In 1930, a drill tower and fire college were built next to Station 10. The fire drill school captain was assigned to training and began forming a training manual. Chief Minter retired in August of 1933 and Allen C. DuRee was appointed Chief.
1940 - 1960
On October 6, 1941 the department started an emergency ambulance service. By 1946, the Long Beach Fire Dept. operated three ambulances and over a period of five years they traveled 42,755 miles, worked over 4,010 hours, and handled 5,974 emergency calls. Also at this time, the Department put into service its first fireboat, christened the "Charles H. Windham" after Long Beachs second city manager and "father" of the Port of Long Beach.
1960-1980
Fire Chief Sandeman passed away on July 13, 1961 and Leonard V. Foster was appointed fire chief. February 27, 1962 saw the passing of Proposition 5, which paved the way for several major tasks to take place in the city. The money would be used for a new alarm office, a new training center on Argonne Ave., and the replacement of five old fire stations. The proposition also called for the addition of two new fire stations.
The fire department's first paramedic class graduated in 1972. These 15 men attended class eight hours a day for eight weeks at Harbor General Hospital, after which they were sent to St. Mary's Hospital for four weeks of clinical work. When the clinicals were completed, the firefighters began eight weeks of ride-a-longs with three paramedic units in L.A. County. All fifteen firefighters passed and were certified as L.A. County Paramedics.
During the mid 1970s the LBFD revised the command officer organizational structure and created four positions with the rank of deputy chief. Three deputy chiefs were assigned to fire Suppression and responsible for 24-hour supervision of the firemen. The fourth deputy chief was assigned to headquarters as the deputy chief of administration. Chief Rizzo retired in 1974 and Deputy Chief Virgil Jones was appointed to his position. Chief Jones legacy was the hiring of class 76A . These 24 outstanding rookies are responsible for guiding LBFD through the millennium and contributing to the leadership of the fire department. Chief Jones served for two years and upon his retirement in 1976, Assistant Chief Robert Leslie was chosen to be the new chief.
1980-Current
September 1983 saw the creation of the Public Education Officer (PEO) position. The PEO is responsible for developing programs, recruiting, providing "earthquake preparedness," and "home fire safety" presentations to civic groups, hospitals, the business community and schools. This position is currently under the guidance of the director of community services within the fire prevention bureau.
Once again the fire department's command structure was reorganized in mid -1980s. The rank of assistant chief was eliminated (only to return again in 1999), while the four deputy chiefs were removed from platoon duty and placed on daylight shifts. The department was organized into four bureaus: administration, fire prevention, support services, and operations, with a deputy chief in command of each bureau. Robert Leslie retired from his position of fire chief in 1984 and James B. Souders became the new chief.
Chief Souders retired in 1988, and Deputy Chief Chris Hunter replaced him as fire chief. In 1991 the Fire Ambassador Program was established. This program is comprised of specially selected volunteers (all a minimum age of 55 years). These ambassadors dedicate countless hours on behalf of the department by participating in safety fairs, civic programs, numerous community events, and educate children and adults on various safety awareness programs.
|