PFD History
(page 4)
1978 - First Fire Recognition Day held in Monument Square to
demonstrate firefighting techniques. Engine Co. 12's staffing on
Peaks Island was transferred from the P.F.D. to the Public Safety
Department. First ladder truck with a cab-over roof went in service,
assigned to Ladder 6 at Bramhall .
1979 - Central Station closed, E-5 and L-I relocated to Munjoy Hill, and Headquarters to Public Safety building.
Vocal alarm system established in fire stations, relegating the bells to be a back-up system.
1981 - Ladder Co. 4 on Allen Avenue in North Deering was decommissioned on January 28'.
1982 - A quint truck (combination engine/ladder) in service as Engine 8 in North Deering to replace E-8 & L-4.
1983 - A second quint truck was purchased for Engine 3 on Stevens Ave., and Ladder Co. 3 decommissioned.
1986 - Rescue Co. I was recommissioned and assigned with Engine Co. 4 at Bramhall Station. The civilian Public Safety Department was disbanded and MEDCU was assigned as a division of P.F.D..
1987 - Central Station reopened after extensive repairs by members. E-5, R-1, and Headquarters moved back. The 1898 Firemen's Monument was moved from Evergreen Cemetery to the front of Central Fire Station.
1988 - Computers were purchased and placed in all stations, upgrading and improving paperwork and reports.
1989 - First 4-door closed cab pumper (Engine 5) and First 4-door closed cab ladder truck (Ladder 6) in service. Fire Chief Joseph E. McDonough retired after twelve years in office. Acting Chief Carleton E. Winslow, Jr. was appointed Chief of department in July. The services of a Department Chaplain was improved with the appointment of Rev. John R. Hilbelink.
1990 - A Portland Fire Department Color Guard was organized. The third Paramedic EMS Unit went into service at Engine 8 in the North Deering section of the City. A safety officer was established to improve operations on the fire ground and at other emergencies.
1991 - Chief Engineer Carleton E. Winslow, Jr. retired.
1992 - Joseph E. Thomas, Jr. was appointed Chief of Department.
1993 - A Island Liaison Officer was created improving training and communications with island fire companies.
1994 - First Annual Merit Awards Ceremony was held to recognize Firefighters, Paramedics, and civilians. The Plymovent air removal systems were installed in stations to remove exhaust fumes from apparatus.
1995 - Fire companies began responding to more medical emergencies, assigning an EMT per/Company.1996 -
The MEDCU Division was integrated into the Portland Fire Department as the EMS Division. A community Liaison Officer was created to improve fire safety training and education to the community. Automatic External Defibrillator units (AED's) placed on engine companies to improve life-saving for heart attacks.
1997 - The annual report of the fire department was again published, after an absence of twenty one years. Operations Manual (S.O.G's.) was written to establish more consistent operations on the fire ground.
First two women firefighters were appointed in the fire suppression division of the P.F.D. First Firefighter drill school to Cross-train MEDCU Paramedics in the EMS Division as firefighters.
1998 - A thermal imaging camera was donated to the Department for use in assisting with rescue operations. First Paramedic Engine Company was established in August at Engine Co. 9, in the Riverton section. A Computer Aided Dispatch system (CAD-M) went in service, improving communications at Fire Alarm.
1999 - A 800 Mhz radio system went on line early in the year. New Policies and Procedures Manual went into effect, revising the 1981 Rules and regulations book. A "Fast Team" was established to meet OSHA mandates, improving firefighter safety on the fireground.
New computers placed in all firehouses/Divisions with E-mail, internet, and new fire and EMS reporting programs.
These improvements over the last century gives the Portland Fire Department an even stronger foundation to build on, and sets the coarse, as we begin the twenty first century in the new millennium. We present members look forward to continue building on the Portland Fire Department's proud past in the twenty- first century, in protecting and caring for our great city and it's citizens, as our predecessors have done, a tradition they began, and continues,
when we started answering the bell, ... since 1768 .
(back)
1979 - Central Station closed, E-5 and L-I relocated to Munjoy Hill, and Headquarters to Public Safety building.
Vocal alarm system established in fire stations, relegating the bells to be a back-up system.
1981 - Ladder Co. 4 on Allen Avenue in North Deering was decommissioned on January 28'.
1982 - A quint truck (combination engine/ladder) in service as Engine 8 in North Deering to replace E-8 & L-4.
1983 - A second quint truck was purchased for Engine 3 on Stevens Ave., and Ladder Co. 3 decommissioned.
1986 - Rescue Co. I was recommissioned and assigned with Engine Co. 4 at Bramhall Station. The civilian Public Safety Department was disbanded and MEDCU was assigned as a division of P.F.D..
1987 - Central Station reopened after extensive repairs by members. E-5, R-1, and Headquarters moved back. The 1898 Firemen's Monument was moved from Evergreen Cemetery to the front of Central Fire Station.
1988 - Computers were purchased and placed in all stations, upgrading and improving paperwork and reports.
1989 - First 4-door closed cab pumper (Engine 5) and First 4-door closed cab ladder truck (Ladder 6) in service. Fire Chief Joseph E. McDonough retired after twelve years in office. Acting Chief Carleton E. Winslow, Jr. was appointed Chief of department in July. The services of a Department Chaplain was improved with the appointment of Rev. John R. Hilbelink.
1990 - A Portland Fire Department Color Guard was organized. The third Paramedic EMS Unit went into service at Engine 8 in the North Deering section of the City. A safety officer was established to improve operations on the fire ground and at other emergencies.
1991 - Chief Engineer Carleton E. Winslow, Jr. retired.
1992 - Joseph E. Thomas, Jr. was appointed Chief of Department.
1993 - A Island Liaison Officer was created improving training and communications with island fire companies.
1994 - First Annual Merit Awards Ceremony was held to recognize Firefighters, Paramedics, and civilians. The Plymovent air removal systems were installed in stations to remove exhaust fumes from apparatus.
1995 - Fire companies began responding to more medical emergencies, assigning an EMT per/Company.1996 -
The MEDCU Division was integrated into the Portland Fire Department as the EMS Division. A community Liaison Officer was created to improve fire safety training and education to the community. Automatic External Defibrillator units (AED's) placed on engine companies to improve life-saving for heart attacks.
1997 - The annual report of the fire department was again published, after an absence of twenty one years. Operations Manual (S.O.G's.) was written to establish more consistent operations on the fire ground.
First two women firefighters were appointed in the fire suppression division of the P.F.D. First Firefighter drill school to Cross-train MEDCU Paramedics in the EMS Division as firefighters.
1998 - A thermal imaging camera was donated to the Department for use in assisting with rescue operations. First Paramedic Engine Company was established in August at Engine Co. 9, in the Riverton section. A Computer Aided Dispatch system (CAD-M) went in service, improving communications at Fire Alarm.
1999 - A 800 Mhz radio system went on line early in the year. New Policies and Procedures Manual went into effect, revising the 1981 Rules and regulations book. A "Fast Team" was established to meet OSHA mandates, improving firefighter safety on the fireground.
New computers placed in all firehouses/Divisions with E-mail, internet, and new fire and EMS reporting programs.
These improvements over the last century gives the Portland Fire Department an even stronger foundation to build on, and sets the coarse, as we begin the twenty first century in the new millennium. We present members look forward to continue building on the Portland Fire Department's proud past in the twenty- first century, in protecting and caring for our great city and it's citizens, as our predecessors have done, a tradition they began, and continues,
when we started answering the bell, ... since 1768 .
(back)