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This
history has been put together from
many historical articles, public
records, fire department yearbooks,
fire department records, and
individual personal accounts. The
information has been authenticated
to the best of the abilities of the
accountant. There are gaps in the
history which are still being
researched. Most of which occurred
in the departments latter history.
Anyone who holds information in
which they feel vital to the
Savannah Fire Department’s great and
storied history please e-mail the
admin of this site with the proposed
information. The same goes for
corrections. This documentation is a
work in progress. Anyone having
factual documented information
disputing any information in this
article please also e-mail that
information to the site admin.
Personal accounts over the past few
years will be taken into account as
well.
1733
America’s 13th colony,
Savannah was founded by James
Oglethorpe February 1st
1733. Oglethorpe landed with 116
persons at Yamacraw Bluff in
Savannah. Within 3 years the town
had grown to great proportion and
was known as the town built of wood.
1737
Savannah experiences its first major
fire. Though Savannah leaders were
trained in Europe where municipal
fire protection was established; for
some reason they failed to take such
precautions when planning the new
colony. The houses being built of
wood and having brick ovens for both
heating and cooking were a fire
waiting to happen. This fire
occurred when the new colony was
just 4 years old. The fire started
in an oven and spread to many
structures before being extinguished
by citizens using a bucket brigade
for there was no established fire
protection at this time. The
townspeople came out in full force
to help with the exception of one
man which stood by with his hands in
his pockets. The gentleman
identified as Mr. Jones was arrested
and jailed for failing to aid his
fellow townsmen.
1758
A fire
consumed the town filature
destroying the structure as well as
it contents. The structure had
contained a very large quantity of
silk. This fire awakened the town to
the necessity of improvement in
firefighting facilities.
1759
Citizens of Savannah purchase the
town’s first hand engine and
establish the town’s first fire
company. At this point in Savannah’s
history the city was made up of 400
dwellings, a church, an independent
meeting house, a council house, a
court house and a filature. There
were 13 streets, 6 squares, and 2
suburbs; Yamacraw and Trustees
Gardens. The limits of town were
Lincoln and Jefferson to the east
and west respectively and the north
and south borders were the Savannah
River and Oglethorpe Avenue.
The
General Assembly prohibited the
erection and repairs of wooden
chimneys under the penalty of 5
pounds sterling. The fines were used
to maintain the fire engine.
1760
Law was
passed requiring each property owned
to have a ladder the height of each
house to be used use in case of a
fire. This ordinance was enforced
and was in effect until 1796. The
Savannah Mayor was actually fined
$10.11 for loaning out one of the
public fire ladders for private use.
1788
The
Board of Wardens provided the city
with 15 fire hooks and 12 ladders to
be kept in readiness for
emergencies.
1789
The
Friendly Fire Club was organized and
was comprised of 35 of the most
respectable gentlemen in town.
1790
On
March 1st the first
meeting was held by the aldermen to
look at the issues regarding the
provision of fire protection in the
city. On April 13th bids
were called for public wells to be
sunk in the squares. During this
meeting it was decided that that the
city would build a fire engine and
according to the arrangement the
engine would be delivered to the
Friendly Fire Club in October 1791.
1791
The
first engine house was built on
watch house lot.
1794
Savannah organizes its second fire
company. In the same year the
legislature was appealed to exempt
from military duties all persons
belonging to the fire companies. At
this time Engine Co. No. 1 was
commanded by Captain Palmer and
Engine Co. No. 2 was commanded by
Captain Lowden.
1795
The
officers held the first review
parade on August 6th.
1796
The
town of Savannah experiences a major
fire. At this time in history it is
considered the worst in American
history. The fire began at an old
bakery in the old city market near
Ellis square. By the time the last
embers were extinguished more than
300 homes were destroyed in an area
from Bay St. to Oglethorpe Avenue
between Barnard and Abercorn
Streets. These structures made up
nearly two-thirds of the city. With
most of the original wooden
structures from Oglethorpe’s early
Savannah destroyed many residents
were left to wander the streets not
knowing where to turn for help.
1797
In an
effort to remedy the fire problem
council began looking elsewhere for
ideas to control fire in the city.
Many looked to Boston, New York, and
Philadelphia which had established
volunteer fire departments within
their cities. In Savannah the
situation could not be remedied as
easy for the aristocratic cotton
merchants, large property owners,
and tradesmen found it being beneath
their dignity to participate in the
activities as such members of a
volunteer department would be
required to participate. City
council decided to appoint 20 axmen
and 2 officers for each city ward.
Each ward would be assigned a hook,
a ladder, and rope. All home owners
would be required to furnish a
bucket for each fire place in their
home as well as a ladder of suitable
length. This would be the first
major step toward any sort of
organized fire protection enacted by
the city. In August of this year 10
Fire Masters were elected by
council.
1799
The
council passed an ordinance
providing for the Board of Fire
Masters. The Fire Masters were not
to perform any such arduous duties
of the firefighters, but they were
to supervise in a general way the
department property and to see that
the firefighters did their duty when
called upon.
1801
Two
engines were purchased and $75.00 a
year each was appropriated for 2
Fire Managers. In 1803 there were 4
good engines in service.
1803
Seven
Engines served the department.
1814
The
Savannah Fire Axe Co. was organized.
In the same year; council began the
elections of the Chief Director,
Managers and Asst Managers of
engines. The fire master was as
originally planned were abolished at
this time.
1815
On
August 14th council
directed the managers to form
themselves into a board and to make
rules for their organization. The
mayor was tasked to organize and
equip a fire axe company; horses
were to be attached to the best
engines in order to expedite
movement. Companies were not to
exceed 30 men.
1818
January
18th the change to use
two horses were to pull engines
through the town was put into
action. The response times were cut
significantly.
1820
After a
lapse of nearly 24 years Savannah
was awakened by the sound of fire
alarms reporting a major fire in the
city. As in 1796; conditions were
the same. The city prior to the
blaze had gone months without rain.
Savannah’s wooden structures were
little more than kindling in the
path of the fire. The fire had
started in the rear of Mrs. Platt’s
boarding house in a livery stable on
Franklin Square. High winds fanned
the fire through the city destroying
some 463 buildings in an area from
Bay to Broughton Streets between
Jefferson and Abercorn Streets. The
fire burned from two in the morning
to two in the afternoon and
destroyed property in the sum of 8
million dollars. The business
section of the city was completely
wiped out. The fire spared few
buildings to include the Episcopal
Church, The Pink House, and the
State and Planters Bank. The fire
gave Savannah the distinction of
having one of the worst fires in
United States History. The loss was
valued at 4 million dollars. Relief
came from many different places.
Those include City of Charleston and
many private donations from South
Carolina, Virginia Maryland, New
York, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and
the District of Maine. The state of
Georgia also contributed. The City
of New York offered a sizable
municipal donation in the amount of
$10,238.29; however, the donation
was refused as the City of Savannah
was outraged and insulted. New York
placed stipulations on the donation
requiring that no prejudice or
distinction would be shown in regard
to color when distributing the
funds. The city was sure they were
capable of handling its own
citizens.
1821
In the
fall 75 free men of color were
allowed to organize the Franklin
Fire Engine and Hose Company, and
the Union Axe and Fire Co. The city
posted rewards of $5 for the first
individual to ring the bell to warn
of fire and $3 to the second person
to warn of fire. The fire department
made great improvements by
purchasing new engines and
appointing firemen however the
department had not established much
respect until 1845.
1824
In this
year the first real improvement in
the fire service in Savannah took
place. An act was passed by the
State of Georgia General Assembly
that gave Savannah the power to
appoint 21 firemen. Those members
would be appointed by council on
March 11, 1825. This was the first
regularly organized fire department
in the city. All of the city’s
engine houses, engines, ladders,
buckets, hose, and other equipment
were turned over to the new Savannah
Fire Company. The city also
purchased 4 new engines; 2 from
Liverpool and 2 from Philadelphia.
The organization’s body elected its
own Chief as well as its First and
Second Firemen, which were subject
to approval of town council. No
salaries were paid and all vacancies
were filled by council upon
recommendation of the fire company.
The work at fires was performed by
free men of color, free negros and
hired slaves. In October of 1824 the
Washington Hose and Axe Co. was
organized. The year also saw the
department’s first Chief appointed.
Robert Campbell was appointed to the
position of Fire Chief. Chief
Campbell purchased 4 new engines,
reels, and all the necessary
quantity of hose that would be
needed for the engines.
1825
An
ordinance placed into effect on
March 11th provided the
City Marshal with the task of taking
count of all colored and negro
firemen between the ages of 16 and
60 and returning this report to the
Chief Fireman. Each enrolled free
man of color was required to furnish
himself with a cap that bared the
initials F.C. on it to be worn
whenever he is on duty. If any
enrolled free man of color failed to
answer an alarm they were to be
fined in a sum not to exceed ten
dollars, or to be imprisoned in the
common jail for a period not less
than five nor not more than 15 days.
Free men of color and free negros
enrolled as firemen were exempt from
the poll tax. The Savannah Fire
Company was authorized to order any
citizen to assist in the
firefighting activities. Any citizen
that refused orders from any member
of the fire company; the fire
company was authorized to arrest the
individual, bring him before the
Mayor or Alderman present who was
authorized to jail him until the
next day. Upon conviction the
individual would be liable fire a
fine not to exceed thirty dollars.
The ordinance also
required any fireman that was to be
absent from duty for more than a
month to find a suitable substitute
satisfactory to the Chief Fireman in
his absence. The same year a special
tax was placed on improved real
estate for the purchase of fire
fighting equipment.
In 1825
the Savannah Fire Company was
divided up and one or more of its
members were assigned to the
management of the negro firemen of
the different engines. These members
were known as masters of engines and
were charged with prompt an
immediate correction whenever a
slave disobeyed. Each slave was
provided with a badge, and as long
as he remained in good standing he
was entitled the right and
privileges of a fireman.
1826
On May
25th firefighters began
to receive payment for their
services. An ordinance was enacted
to provide greater enrollment of
slaves in the fire companies. The
firefighters were paid at a rate of
12 ½ cents per hour to participate
in drills or at fires. Slave
firefighters were paid one dollar
for being the first to arrive at the
emergency. The second and third
arriving slave received 50 cents.
Slaves failing to respond to the
alarms were forfeited one hours pay
for every 15 minutes he was late.
The slave would lose his badge and
privileges if fines became
excessive.
1827
In a
report given by Chief Fireman Parker
in 1827 showed the city then had 2
suction engines, one suction and
discharging engine, 1200 feet of
ladders, 1 Philadelphia built
engine, 1 Boston built engine, and 1
hose cart all in superior order and
efficiently officered and manned.
There was also an additional Boston
built engine and a quantity of
useless machinery. The effective
labor for the company was 300 men.
The current expenses were $1200.00.
Every alarm for fire cost $25.00.
During this period between 1824 and
1827 any person sounding a fire
alarm by ringing the ring of bells
or by the beating of a drum would
receive a reward of such an amount
that was agreed upon by the fire
company. This practice was abolished
in 1836.
1828
In 1828
the department consisted of 4 New
York built suction and discharge
engines; 2 London built suction and
discharge engines; 2 Boston built
engines; 1 hose cart; 1740 feet of
new hose, 700 feet of old hose, 178
slaves, 96 free negros, 274 buckets,
15 fire hooks, 44 ladders, 22 axes,
and 1 white company of 17 men.
1834
In the
1830s wood frame engine houses began
to disappear and substantial brick
buildings took their places. Some of
the new houses were two stories; the
upper floors were used for meetings
and company gatherings. An engine
house was built in the northern part
of the Oglethorpe Ward and an engine
was bought at a cost of $700.00 to
provide protection from this house.
In the same year an ordinance was
enacted providing for fireproof
buildings to be built in certain
sections of the city.
1846
In 1845
the young white men of the city
began to take interest in the fire
department; so on February 19th
1846 council approved an
application for a number of young
men for a charter as the Oglethorpe
Fire Company. The number of members
would be limited to fifty. The
company was required to supply its
own apparatus within one year. The
company would be required to work
themselves. Each member would in
turn receive the same privileges as
the Savannah Fire Company, and would
serve under the Chief Fireman. In
1846 Savannah was divided into 5
fire districts. A new brick engine
house was built on Pulaski Square.
1847
The
Washington and Young America fire
companies were established in 1847.
The Young America company was made
up of the rough element of the
community. They gave fire department
officers and Savannah Fire Company
members’ great trouble and
annoyance. At almost every fire the
Young Americas engaged in unruly
behavior and fought with someone on
most occasions. Many times they
drove the faithful slaves from their
posts.
1848
The
Independent Presbyterian Church bell
would sound in the event of a fire
in the city.
1850
The
protocol for alerting in the event
of a fire was changed. Watchmen were
now furnished with musket which they
would fire into the air in the event
of a fire. A new two-story brick
engine house was built in Washington
Square and the old wooden house of
the Oglethorpe Company in Liberty
Square was removed and a new brick
house was built. A second story was
added to the engine house on
Franklin Square. In 1850 the
Savannah Fire Company adopted
resolutions to allow colored firemen
to wear uniforms. The Oglethorpes'
and the Washing tons' protested
against this resolution as it was
degrading to the white firemen. The
council directed the mayor not to
permit it. Later; however council
reconsidered the action and left it
to the Savannah Fire Company to do
as it wished.
1853
In 1853
there were more troubles between the
Savannah Fire Company and the
Oglethorpe Fire Company over the
Oglethorpe’s mistreatment of the
negro firemen at fires. The council
end of year report showed an utter
disorganization of the department.
1854
Council
gave the Oglethorpe Fire Company
more control and allowed the company
control of its engine and authorized
it to appoint its firemen subject to
the approval of the mayor and
aldermen instead of the Savannah
Fire Company. The Savannah Fire
Company charged the Oglethorpes with
being beyond control of the Chief
Fireman, and that proper service
could not be secured from them.
After much debate the Oglethorpe
Fire Company resigned as a body, and
published their resignations in the
local paper before presenting them
to council. The resignations were
accepted on November 9th
and a new company was promptly
appointed. In 1854 a contract was
awarded to erect the building known
as Central Station on the southwest
corner Oglethorpe and Abercorn. This
is the current location for Savannah
Fire Department headquarters. The
original building was torn down in
1935 and a current one replaced the
old structure in 1936.
1855
An
engine house was built in Lafayette
Square.
1856
In 1856
the Lafayette Hook and Ladder Co.
was organized, and the Germania Fire
Company which had only a hose cart
was granted an engine.
Savannah was protected by Oglethorpe
No. 1 with 35 white members,
Washington No. 9 with 52 white
members, Germania No. 10 with 48
white members, Lafayette Axe Hook
and ladder with 2 white officers and
50 free men of color, Engine No. 1
with 2 white officers and 80 slaves,
Engine No. 2 with 2 white officers
and 79 slaves, Hose No. 1 with 1
white officer and 21 slaves, Hose
No. 2 with 1 white officer and 25
free men of color, Engine No. 3 with
2 white officers and60 slaves,
Engine No.4 with 2 white officers
and 65 free men of color, Engine No.
8 with 2 white officers and 78
slaves, and Engine No. 11 with 2
white officers and 78 slaves.
1860
In 1860
the white fire companies were
Oglethorpe, Washington, Geranium,
and Mechanic Hook and Ladder. The
colored companies were Warren Hand
Engine, Pulaski Hand Engine,
Franklin Hand Engine, Neptune Hand
Engine, Tomo-Chi-Chi Hand Engine,
Niagara hand Engine, Wild Car Hand
Engine, Columbia Hose Co., Hose Co.
No. 2, and Axe Co. 1. The white
companies were independent, but were
under the control of the Savannah
Fire Company while at fires.
During
the war; the fire department was on
the quivive, with there being fears
of incendiaries and dangers of an
attack of the city and shells
igniting the buildings. Engine No. 8
with a large quantity of hose was at
Fort Pulaski when it was surrendered
and was lost to the city.
1862
On July
30th the First Regiment
of Georgia Militia were detailed to
serve as firemen.
1865
On
January 27tha fire occurred which
destroyed over 100 buildings. The
horrific fire came at a time when
the city was expecting bombardment
from General Sherman’s Union Army.
The fire was assumed to be the work
of the Twentieth U.S. Army Corps.
The motivated of the fire was
presumed to be that the fire was set
in hopes of burning the city to the
ground so that the necessity of the
troops to stay behind in Savannah
would no longer exist if the city
was destroyed. The troops would be
allowed to continue the march with
Sherman. Various fires were started
at locations throughout the city
which included St Andrews Hall (now
Turner Hall) and the city exchange.
Both of these fires were located and
extinguished before damage could be
done. The serious fire was started
in a stable in the rear of the old
Granite hall which was located on
the corner of Zubly and West Broad
Streets. The stable had been used by
Confederate authorities as an
arsenal to store fixed ammunition.
The fire had spread rapidly;
soldiers and citizens flooded the
streets, and under the direction of
the United States Officers began
assisting in the removal of the
ammunition and the operation of the
engines. Even though much of the
ammunition had been removed when the
fire contacted the powder; explosion
after explosion occurred in rapid
succession. Fragments and shells
flew in all directions, killing many
spectators and volunteers finally
driving them from the scene. Before
the fire was controlled over one
hundred buildings were destroyed on
West Broad between Pine and St. Gaul
Streets as well as a few on
Broughton and Congress Streets.
In this
year the Savannah Fire Company also
reorganized. The Neptune Wild Cat
and Niagara Companies were thrown
out of service and the Metropolitan
Company was established.
1866
In
accordance with council’s approval
on May 1866 all of Savannah’s hand
operated engines were to be replaced
by steam engines.
1867
The
Savannah Volunteer Fire Department
was organized At this time there
were 7 companies worked by black men
and 5 by white men. The Marshall
Hose Co., The Clayburn Hose Co., and
the Russell Hose Co. were
incorporated. These companies were
privately owned by businesses
organized specifically for
protection of their properties.
These companies did however ride aid
with the municipal companies.
1869
Many
improvements began to take place in
the fire service. Horses and
harnesses were purchased and stables
were built. Sleeping quarters were
being placed in the engine houses,
and drivers and Engineers were being
hired.
1870
Telegraph fire Alarm boxes were
placed in service.
1871
The
last 3 hand engines controlled by
“colored” firefighters were placed
out of service.
1872
On May
1st there was an alarm
system put in place complete for all
requirements. The bell known as “Big
Duke” which weighs 5500 lbs. was
purchased at a cost of $2353.14. The
bell was operated by an electric
fire alarm system. The system along
with “Big Duke” was placed on the
roof of Central station. This system
would alert firemen in the event of
fire. In the actual event of a fire
the bell would be rang a coordinated
number of times. The rings would not
only alert firemen of the fire but
also tell firemen the location of
the incident. The city’s squares
were numbered accordingly and the
bell would ring out the number for
the square in which the fire was
located. For example if a square was
designated as the 12th
square. The bell would ring one time
with a short pause then ring 2 more
times. The new system significantly
cut the delay in the arrival of the
fire department.
1873
The
first casualty occurred when Fireman
George Puder of Clayburn Hose Co.
was killed by falling walls at the
burning of the Kentucky Stables on
West Broad Street.
1875
In 1875
a part paid department was
organized. The Chief and Assistant
Chief positions were made salary.
The positions were selected by city
council. In 1875 the Chief Fire
Engineer received an annual salary
of $1000.00 and the Assistant
received $500.00. Both officers were
permitted to engage in other
business.
1877
A lot
was purchased on Broughton Street
near Houston Street and in 1878 a
brick building was erected on the
site. This structure served the city
as Engine House No.1 until the
station was closed and the location
for the station was moved to its
current location on 63rd
and Paulson. The new structure was
placed into service in n1957 and is
still in service.
1883
On
October 31st Savannah
suffered yet another huge loss by
fire. The fire originated in the
Stubbs and Company cotton warehouse
on Fahm Street at the head of
Joachim, which is now known as Bay
Street. Before the fire could be
controlled the fire had consumed
over 300 hundred houses and three
lives had been lost.
1885
The
first telephone was installed at
fire headquarters
1886
Engine
House No. 4 was built on Barnard
near the corner of Huntingdon. This
engine house served the city until
it was moved to Lathrop Avenue in
1952.
1888
The
independent fire companies were
disbanded. The free men of color in
the town were required to aid the
firemen during fires. They were
organized into companies and trained
one day each month. In 1888 all
officers and firemen were appointed
by the mayor.
At this
time the department consisted of 74
personnel. There were 25 full time
paid firefighters, 25 part time paid
on call, and 24 volunteers in Hose
Company No. 1.
1889
Engine
House No. 5 was built at 11 East
Henry between Bull and Drayton
Streets. This engine house served
the city until it was replaced and
moved a block to the west in 1946.
Firefighter John Niehrs Killed in
the line of duty
Firefighter Henry P. Goodson Killed
in the line of duty
On the
morning of Oct 31st
another blaze occurred and was
looked at as one of the worst in
Savannah history. The fire started
in Daniel Hogan’s dry goods store on
the corner of Broughton and Barnard
Streets. The fire was started when a
gas lamp came into contact with a
curtain. The fire spread down state
street toward the Telfair Academy.
The firefighters prepared the
structures in the fire’s path by
covering the windows with blankets
and showering the buildings with
hose streams. The academy and other
structures to the south and west
were spared. Structures down
Broughton Street continued to burn.
At one point it seemed as if the
fire was under control. Strong winds
soon blew in and pushed the fire
from block to block. Any hopes of
the fire being controlled at that
point were lost. The townspeople
were emptying their residences and
business and fleeing into the
squares as the fire consumed more
and more buildings.
1890
On
February 1st Savannah
becomes a fully paid fire department
just 37 years after Cincinnati
became the first fully paid
department in the United States.
Savannah’s on call force was
abolished. The department employed
47 paid full time firefighters and
25 volunteers in the city’s southern
companies.
1891
Brass
poles were installed in the engine
houses as a means for firefighters
to more rapidly descend floors in
the engine houses thus allowing a
quicker fire department response. In
the same year more stations had
telephones installed in them.
1892
Eight
additional fire boxes were added as
the service was extended. More boxes
were also added in 1894 (11).
1895
On
December 27th the first
board of Fire Commissioners was
appointed by the mayor and council.
The terms of office were to begin
January 1st 1896, and the
first meeting was held January 6th
in the office of the Fire Chief at
Firemen’s Hall.
1896
Hoseman
Frank McStay Killed in the line of
duty
1898
On
February 6th, a serious
fire occurred on River Street
starting in the warehouse of the
Georgia and Alabama Railroad Co. The
building was full of straw and hay.
The fire spread rapidly to the
Mitchell and Wells wharves. The fire
had spread significantly by the time
the fire department arrived. Before
the fire could be extinguished 5
buildings and a large quantity of
lumber had burned. The last building
in the row to burn was Conklin and
Co. located on River, Montgomery,
and Williamson Streets. While
firefighter battled this blaze an
alarm was sounded from box 27, The
alarm was caused by a fire in the
Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist.
When the fire department arrived the
building was engulfed in flames. The
efforts of the fire department were
concentrated on saving the Bishop’s
residence, the convent, and
surrounding property. The cathedral
was completely destroyed. This night
was one of great question. It was
thought that there was a united
effort of a gang of miscreants to
burn the city. There were at least 7
fires set that night alone. February
of 1898 saw a record number of fires
in the city. The fire department
responded to sixty three fires that
month.
Firefighter William E. Harrell
Killed in the line of duty
1900
Engine
House No. 6, a new modern engine
house was built on the southeast
corner of Barnard and 38th
Streets. The station was equipped
with an engine and a combination
wagon. This house would serve the
city until 1982 when its location
was moved to Liberty Parkway
1904
Tillerman Michael F. Kain Killed in
the line of duty
1905
By this
time Savannah had made great strides
in the fire service. The department
rich tradition of controlling blazes
in “The Wooden City” gave it a rank
of one of the best in the country.
The engine houses and equipment were
upgraded and Savannah was seen as
one of the most well equipped
departments in the country.
Driver
Frank N. Harris Killed in the line
of duty
1906
Firefighter Harry J. Eady Killed in
the line of duty
Assistant Chief George Mouro Killed
in the line of duty
Firefighter E.P. Daley Killed in the
line of duty
1908
Savannah Fire Headquarters is moved
from Engine House No. 2, Indian and
West Broad Streets to Engine House
No. 3 at Oglethorpe and Abercorn.
New offices were added over the east
wing of the house.
1909
Engine
House No. 7 was built on Paulson and
Gwinnett The house was new to the
city. It served Savannah’s east side
until it was moved in 1999 to
midtown at Sally mood and
Eisenhower.
1910
Great
improvements were made to the city’s
alarm system. A new switchboard was
placed in City Hall to handle both
fire and police alarms.
1911
The
Superintendent title was changed to
Chief Engineer. In the same year an
auto combination wagon was ordered
and received from the American
LaFrance Fire Engine Co. The engine
proved to be so satisfactory that in
July the Mayor and Council awarded a
contract to the American LaFrance
Co. for an additional 11 motorized
engines. The first seven engines
arrived in this year and were placed
in service.
Firefighter Hugh J. Larkin Killed in
the line of duty
1912
The
four remaining apparatus ordered
from the American LaFrance Engine
Co. arrived in Savannah. All
apparatus are placed in service
making Savannah one of the first
completely motorized Urban
departments in the country.
1913
On
February 2nd a large fire
broke out on the terminals of the
Merchants and Minors Transportation
Co. The terminals were completely
engulfed in flames when the fire
department arrived. The fire spread
to the adjacent property which was
destroyed. The property loss was
valued at ¾ of a million dollars.
Henry
F. Corley Killed in the line of duty
1916
On
March 22nd the City of
Augusta, Georgia sent out a cry for
help that was answered by the City
of Savannah Fire Department. The
authorities of Augusta were battling
a fire that threatened to destroy
the entire city. Savannah sent a
detail of 34 men and 2 engines to
Augusta to assist in extinguishing
the blaze.
1921
Firefighter Arthur S. Christiansen
Killed in the line of duty
1924
A fire
was started in the paint shop of The
Central of Georgia rail yards
located at Harris and Purse Streets.
A general alarm was dispatched for
this fire. The fire was endangering
the entire vicinity. The good and
efficient work of the Savannah Fire
Department contained the fire to the
building in which it was originated.
1928
In
October, the Savannah Fire
Department Band was organized by J.W.
Alberino.
1929
In this
year Savannah had another first in
the fire service when Chief John H.
Monroe designed and invented a water
tank that would take the place of
the soda acid tanks. The tanks were
connected to the pumps of the
apparatus’. The pumps pumped water
from the tanks on the engines
through either ¾” or 1 ½’ hose
lines. This process allowed
firefighters to extinguish fire with
the tank water without a connection
to a fire hydrant or to battle the
fire until a connection could be
established. The design proved
beneficial in all aspects. So
beneficial that fire chiefs through
out the country were notified of the
invention through the medium of Fire
Engineering Magazine. Water tanks
are standard on all engines today.
1931
A
telephone switchboard was installed
at fire headquarters. The fire
department was charged with the
responsibility of receiving and
transmitting calls.
1935
Lieutenant J.E. Smith Killed in the
line of duty
Firefighter Jimmy Kavanoi Killed in
the line of duty
1936
Engine
House No. 8 was built at 37th
and Ott Street. This house would
serve the city from this location
until it was moved in 1955. The
Engine house was moved to Bee Road
just south of Victory Drive. The new
Engine house
1937
On
August 6th the Savannah Fire
Department opened the new fire
headquarters in the same location
where the previous stood. This
building known as Engine House No. 3
still stands today and continues to
serve as Savannah Fire Department
Headquarters. In this year the
department added the offices of the
Battalion Chiefs.
Lieutenant B.T. Ethridge Killed in
the line of duty
1938
On
August 19th The Savannah
Firefighters Association Local 574
of the International Association of
Firefighters was organized. Local
574 was founded prior to the State
of Georgia right to work status
giving the Savannah Professional
firefighters a grandfathered status
and allowing the local to retain
collective bargaining rights. Local
574 to this date is the only local
in the state of Georgia with
bargaining rights that works under a
binding contract with its
municipality.
1942
William
T. Dufour Killed in the line of duty
1945
A new
engine house was erected and placed
into service on October 1st.
The building was recognized as
Engine House No. 9. The house was
built to protect housing projects in
the vicinity. This engine house was
replaced in the spring of 2008
further down on Capital St.
When
the United States entered the war,
Chief Walter S. Blanton organized an
auxiliary fire department. The
department consisted of 10
companies. Each company had a
Captain, a Lieutenant, an Engineer,
and Privates. The personnel of the
auxiliary totaled 500 officers and
men. The auxiliary was trained in
firefighting and was regarded as one
of the best auxiliaries in the
country. The government through the
office of Civil Defense furnished
the auxiliary with 6 front end pumps
and 4 trailer pumps. Six trucks were
furnished by the City of Savannah on
which the front end pumps were
mounted. The department of Civil
Defense also furnished helmets, gas
masks, hose, and all other necessary
equipment used in fire fighting. All
companies held regular drills and
responded to all trial blackouts and
emergencies.
1946
Engine
House 5 was moved from 11 East Henry
to where it’s currently located at 5
West Henry Street The new engine
house housed an engine and a chief’s
car until the following years when
the city took delivery of a new 100’
aerial apparatus. This machine was
then assigned to the new engine
house.
1949
Chief
Walter S. Blanton with help of the
fire commission instituted a new
policy giving each fireman a day off
each month. The day off would be
known as a Blanton Day.
A new
aerial apparatus was placed in
service at Engine House No.5 on
Henry Street. The new company that
was formed would be recognized as
Truck Co. No. 5.
1952
The new
Engine House No. 4 was erected on
East Lathrop Avenue. This house
replaced the old no. 4 located on
Barnard Street. The Lathrop Station
would be later outfitted to house
the first black professional firemen
in Savannah. The house was designed
with separate sides for the white
and black firefighters. This Station
served the city until 1999 when it
was replaced by the current Station
4 located on Augusta Road.
1954
Two way
radios were introduced to the fire
service in Savannah. They were
installed in all apparatus’ cars and
in the dispatch center at Fire
Headquarters.
1955
Engine
House No. 8 was moved from 37th
and Ott to Bee Road just south of
Victory Drive. This house was placed
in service on November 6th
of 1955. Engine House No. 8 is still
currently serving the city in this
location.
During
1955 there were 4 general alarm
fires. The fires occurred on March 9th
at Rollinson Electric, 114 West Bay
Street, on June 6th at
Princess Grill, 110 East Broughton
Street, November 26th at
the 500 block of Lumber, and the
fourth occurred on Henry Street.
1956
There
was 1 general alarm fire which
occurred on October 24th.
The fire was at 23, 23 ½, and 25
Broughton Street where Jack and Jill
Clothing Store, Rankin’s Shoe, and
Joseph’s were damaged.
1957
The
rank of assistant engineer was
abolished, and all men of the rank
were promoted to Engineer. At the
same time drivers of Battalion
Chief’s cars, hose wagons and
tillers were give a 12.00 a month
raise over that of Private’s pay for
which they formerly received.
There
was 1 general alarm fire at Charity
Hospital where the serious fire made
it necessary to evacuate all
patients from the building and
transfer them to other hospitals.
The operation was completed without
a single injury or death.
1958
The
city took delivery of a new 100’
aerial truck manufactured by the
Seagrave Company. The fully equipped
truck company was equipped and
placed in service at Engine House
No. 3 fire headquarters. In the same
year the total manpower was raised
from 163 to 171 men. All
firefighters were issued helmets,
boots, and turnout pants.
There
were 3 general alarm fires in 1958.
The first occurred on May 20th
at Adler’s Department Store, Bull
and Broughton Streets. The second
occurred on August 16th
at the Central Georgia terminals,
and the third occurred on August 20th
at the Masonic Temple located at
Liberty and Whitaker Streets.
Council
passed resolution prohibiting the
sale of wick type kerosene stoves or
heaters.
1959
Engine
House No. 1 was moved from Broughton
and Houston Streets where it had
served the city since 1878. The new
house was built at 63rd
and Paulson Streets. This engine
house remains in service for the
City of Savannah.
The
only general alarm fire in 1959 was
on January 31st at 123
East Henry Street.
1960
On June
19th Engine House No. 10
was opened on White Bluff Road at
the old White Bluff School House.
The engine house was the first of 2
houses planned to serve a newly
annexed area of the city. Initially
the plan was thought to be a
success. The city would provide
services to the newly annexed areas
as well as to the contracted
unincorporated areas surrounding the
city. A second engine house was
planned to be opened at Montgomery
Crossroad and Waters Avenue. The
plan fizzled a year later on January
31st 1961; and the areas
fire protection duties were
eventually contracted to the
Southside Fire Dept. Inc. Which is a
privatized/volunteer Fire Dept. The
Southside was re-annexed on
referendum later in the year. The
city houses were not reactivated;
primarily because of the cost of
annexation. The Southside Fire Inc
would be contracted to provide fire
protection to the south side of the
City of Savannah for nearly 40
years. Savannah would reassume its
duties of providing municipal fire
protection to the citizens of south
Savannah in 1999.
In
November the Fire-Police Patrol was
formed. Several members from each
department were cross trained for a
month in the other department. The
patrol was created to control cost
by putting both police officers and
firefighters in the newly annexed
areas. When the Fire-Police
disbanded years later the members
were given the choice of which
department to remain.
There
were 3 general alarm fires in 1960;
the first of which occurred on March
15th and involved 4
stores at Broughton and Whitaker
Streets. The stores were Jack and
Jill, Cindy’s Shoe Store, Butler
Shoe Store, and Joseph’s. On March
18th there was the Gulf
Oil Company Fire on Wheaton Street,
and on November 8th there
was a fire at Charlton and West
Broad Streets at Harmon’s Inc.
1961
The
newly annexed area of south Savannah
was de-annexed. Engine Houses 10 and
11 were deactivated.
Subscription fire protection was
offered by the City of Savannah to
residents and businesses outside the
city limits. This service is still
in effect today.
There
were 2 general alarm calls in 1961;
the first of which occurred on
February 6th at the
Bowling Center, 2012 East Victory
Drive. The other occurred on July 3rd
at Dell’s Shoe Store, 20 West
Broughton Street.
1962
Savannah had at least 3 general
alarm fires in 1962. The document
supporting this information was
written in 1962 and was incomplete.
The Marilyn Shoe Store Fire occurred
on January 10th. A second
fire occurred on March 6th
in the 500 block of Lumber Street
and the 500 Block of Guerard Street.
The third fire occurred at the
Pierpont Manufacturing Company on
April 14th.
1963
Savannah becomes the second city in
Georgia to hire black firefighters.
Six black men were hired and
assigned to Savannah Engine House No
4 on East Lathrop Avenue. The house
was made to be segregated. It was
the only engine house in the city in
which the black firefighters were
allowed to work but they were
required to be in a separate part of
the building at all times as well as
responding on their own separate
apparatus. One of the original
black Firefighters, Lewis Oliver
goes on to become a Battalion Chief
before retiring in 1991.
1967
Firefighter Thomas R. Dudley Killed
in the line of duty
1982
Engine
House No. 6 was moved to Liberty
Parkway from its previous location
at Barnard and 38th
Streets where it had served the city
since 1900.
1991
Master
Firefighter Norman L. Simmons dies
as a result of injuries he received
at a fire at the Trinity Church on
Jefferson St. October 22. The fire
is determined to be arson but no one
is ever prosecuted for the crime.
1993
The
High Angle Rescue Team is placed in
service. Squad 1 is originally
tasked with the team but over time
it will include Rescue 2, Trucks 5 &
13.
1994
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