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| July 4th 1898 at the old Central Station, corner of Congress St. and Market St., built in 1867. | Arbor Street Firehouse, built in 1903. Photo taken in 1907. | Ladder 5 crew on morning of City Hall Fire, February 24, 1908. |
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Portland Fire Department - Line of Duty Deaths
By Firefighter Michael A. Daicy, Engine Co. 11 Portland Fire Department Historian
As we begin the twenty first century, it is only appropriate that we highlight some of the many improvements, changes, and dedicated efforts of progress in the Portland Fire Department that occurred over the last 100 years.
In March of 1899, as the 20th century approached,
the city of Deering was annexed to the city of Portland, a change that more than doubled the population and the geographical area of Portland.
Overnight, the size of the Portland Fire Department nearly doubled from eleven to twenty fire companies. At that time, the Fire Chief was Melville N. Eldridge, and he was appointed the City's first Permanent Chief of Department. Chief Eldridge was well known for his organizational abilities and was well respected throughout New England as a Fire Service leader. Upon his appointment, he undertook
a major reorganization of the entire fire department which included; renumbering the Deering fire companies, assignments to box alarms, establishing first alarm response districts, disbanded three hose companies; Hose 10, Allen's Comer, Hose 13, Deering Center, and Hose 14, Libbytown. Five companies remained in the centralized neighborhoods; Hose 8-Ladder 4 at Woodford's Comer, Hose 9 at Morrill's Comer, Hose 11 at East Deering, and Hose 12 on Pitt Street in the Oakdale area. Permanent Drivers were then appointed and horses were purchased. A new hose wagon was assigned to Hose 11 and a spare ladder carriage was reconditioned to replace the Deering ladder truck, which was deemed too light for fire duty, and given to the city of South Portland. The Peninsula was assigned as District- I and the Deering area as District-2.Upgrades were also made in the District-I area, including the purchase of Munjoy Hill's first ladder truck and the overall improvements in daily operations of the reorganized Department. These changes created a strong foundation for the Portland Fire Department to build on as 1900 arrived. The next one hundred years saw the following changes, improvements, and progress in the Portland Fire Department:
1901 - Hose 11 was relocated to Ocean Avenue to a renovated barn, improving the long, runs to North Deering.
1903 - Two new firehouses opened; Engine 6 on Park Avenue and Engine 9 on Arbor Street at Morrill's Corner. Two steam engines rebuilt, then assigned, upgrading Hose Company's 6 and 9 to Engines 6 and 9.
1906 - Hose 12, located at 51 Pitt Street in Oakdale, was disbanded. Hose Co. 8 began covering Oakdale. New quarters opened for Engine 7 Fireboat at the State Pier and berthed on the east side of the pier.
1908 - City Hall was destroyed by fire
including the third floor Fire Alarm Office. Four steam fire engines were purchased for Engines 1, 4, 9, and a spare engine. Two engines were rebuilt. Two new stations opened; Engine 8 at Woodford's Comer and Hose 11 on Ocean Ave. in East Deering.
1909 - New Fire Alarm/Electrical Department office building opened on Federal Street. Reduction of hours for the Permanent Firefighters from one day off in fifteen to one day off in eight.
1910 - Replaced Four Call Assistant Engineers with a Permanent Deputy Chief (D- 1) and a District Chief (D-2).
1911 - Chief Eldridge retired after fifteen years in office. Patrick H. Flaherty appointed Chief of Department
Building inspections began and the City declared the ninth of November as the first fire prevention day. Chief Flaherty's annual report recommends replacing horse-drawn equipment with motorized apparatus.
1912 - P.F.D. produced a silent movie showing horse-drawn apparatus leaving and returning to stations.
1914 - Chief Flaherty's term in office expired and Almus D. Butler was appointed Chief of Department in July.
1915 - First motorized vehicle (Chandler Roadster) in service replacing Chief Butler's horse-drawn buggy.
1916 - Second motorized vehicle (also a Chandler) was purchased for District Chief Read in District-2. First motorized fire truck (American LaFrance hose & Chemical) in service as Hose 8, at Woodford's.
1917- Third Chandler car in service. Chief Butler's Car was reassigned to Deputy Chief Parker, District 1. First motorized ladder truck in service (Christie tractor), attached to Ladder 5's 1887 85 ft. aerial trailer.
First motorized pumper (Seagrave 1000 gpm) in service at Engine1, replacing a steam engine & hose cart.
Permanent Firefighters joined the new International Association of Firefighters as L133 later disbanding
1919 - Ladder 3 on Brackett St. was motorized with a McCann/Indiana city service ladder & chemical truck.
1920 - Engine 4 on Spring St. motorized with a Seagrave 750 gpm, pumper, replacing the steamer and hose cart.
1921 - Hose 6-Park Ave., Hose 9-Arbor St., and Hose 12-Peaks Island motorized (Reo hose & chemical trucks).
1922 - Ladder 4 on Arbor St. was motorized with an American LaFrance city service ladder & chemical truck.
1923 - Ladder 5 on India St. received a Seagrave tractor to replace the Christie, and attached to the 1887 trailer. Chief Engineer Almus D.Butler retired in December after nine years.
1924 - Ladder I at the old Central Station motorized with an American LaFrance city service ladder & chemical. Oliver T. Sanborn appointed Chief of Department. Begins overseeing the new Central station being built. Old horse-drawn Ladder I was rebuilt and assigned to Park Ave. as Ladder 6, quartered with Engine 6. Engine 3 was motorized when the 1917 Christie tractor (old L-5) was attached to an old steamer (E-4). Engine 5 was motorized with an American LaFrance 750 gpm pumper, replacing a 1903 horseless engine.
New Central Fire Station opened November IOth, housing Engines I and 5, Ladders I and 5, Chemical 1, and the Chief s office. The India St. station closed and the 1867 Central Station on the corner was razed.
1925 - A warning bell now preceded a box alarm and the first 4-digit box alarm was rung in by Fire Alarm. Hose 11 in East Deering was motorized with a 1924 Reo hose & chemical truck, built in the P.F.D. shop. A Mack Chemical & Squad truck went into service, replacing the 1918 Indiana motor truck. Dedication of Central Fire Station was held August 4th with throngs of citizens attending the open house.
1926 - American LaFrance 1,000 gpm pumper in service at Engine 8. Old H-8 assigned to E-6 w/350 gpm pump.
1928 - New Seagrave, trailer with a 85 ft. wooden aerial in service for Ladder 5, replacing the 1887 trailer.
1929 - Four new trucks in service; a Seagrave 1,000 gpm pumper (E-4), a Seagrave tractor-drawn 75 ft. aerial ladder truck (L-6), a Mack 1,000 pumper (E-6), and a McCann 1,000 gpm pumper (E-2). Horse-drawn Ladder 2 on Munjoy Hill was decommissioned because of improvements to Ladders 5 and 6. Engine 4's old 1920 Seagrave was reassigned to Engine 3 on Brackett Street, retiring the last two horses, and the Portland Fire Department became completely motorized. Former Governor Baxter purchased the two horses from Hose 3 for light work on his Baxter Island farm. The Training Division was established and a Drill Master assigned, trained by the Boston Fire Academy.
1931 - New 6,000 gpm fireboat went into service replacing the first fireboat, which was purchased in 1894.
1932 - The first Fire Officer's School was conducted in the Training Division.
1936 - First steel aerial ladder truck (Seagrave 65 ft.) in service (Ladder 3, Brackett St.) replacing city service.
1938 - Hose 11 -East Deering and Hose 12-Peaks Island upgraded to engine companies with 500 gpm, pumpers. Ladder 6's trailer retrofitted with a 85 ft. steel aerial ladder and L-6's 75 ft. wooden ladder placed on L-5.
1940 - The Fire Prevention Bureau established in August.
1942 - Portland Firefighters rejoined the International Association of Firefighters Union as Local 740, I.A.F.F.
1943 - A new fire company was established (Rescue Co. 1), phasing out the Chemical Squad Company.
1945 - Two 65 ft. steel aerial ladder trucks purchased for Ladders I and 4, replacing city service ladder trucks.
1946 - A two-platoon system was created, as firefighters worked one-day on and one-day off (84 hrs. per/week).
1947 - Engine 3's Brackett Street station (built in 1850) closed and Engine 3 temporarily relocated to Central.
1948 - Volunteer fire co. established on Long Island as Engine 14.
1949 - Volunteer fire company established on great Diamond Island as Engine 13.
1950 - City of Portland was upgraded to a Class A rating from the National Board of Fire Underwriters.
1951 - New station opened on Stevens Ave. in the Rosemont area. Engine 3 relocated there with a Quad truck.
1952 - Volunteer fire co. established on Cliff Island as Engine 1, 5.
1954 - Chief Engineer Oliver T. Sanborn retired after 30 years in office. Harry Marr appointed Chief of Dept. First engine with a cab over roof in service (American LaFrance 750 gpm pumper), assigned to Engine 9.
1956 - Chief Engineer Harry W. Marr retired at the end of December.
New station opened on Ocean Ave., East Deering for Engine 11 on the same spot as the 1902 tire barn. Fire Prevention Bureau received 1st place National awards in its class for fire safety over the next 7 years.
1959 - A new 65 ft. all-steel fireboat with a pumping capacity of 7,000 gpm was placed in service at Engine 7.
1960 - The second ladder company at Central Station, Ladder 5, was decommissioned and covered by Ladder 1.
1961 - First 100 ft. aerial ladder truck in service assigned to Ladder 6 on Park Avenue (Seagrave tractor-drawn).
1963 - Movie called "24 Hours" produced, showing the average day in the life of the Portland Fire Department. Received national awards for fire prevention and education efforts and activities, including the movie. A Third Platoon was implemented with the reduction in work hours to a 56 hour schedule.
1964 - Munjoy Station closed two days in April (E-2 decommissioned), reopening with Engine I relocated there.
First Scott Air Pacs were purchased for use, and located in the compartments on the trucks.
1965 - Chief Engineer Carl P. Johnson retired after eight years in office. Joseph R. Cremo appointed Fire Chief.
1966 - Bramhall Square station opened. Engines 4, 6, Ladder 6, and the District I Chief were relocated there. Spring St., Park Ave., and Brackett St. stations closed. Ladder 3 was relocated to Ocean Ave. with E- 11.
1967 - North Deering station opened and Engine 8 & D-2 Chief relocated there, closing the Woodfords station.
1970 - New type aerial truck in service, an American LaFrance 80 ft. articulating boom snorkel truck (Ladder I).
1971 - The first woman to work in the P.F.D. was hired and assigned as a secretary in the Administrative Office.
1972 - Stevens Avenue station expansion completed and Ladder Co. 3 was relocated there with Engine Co. 3.
Riverton station opened, relocating Engine 9 and, closing Arbor St. station. Ladder 4 relocated to E-8.
1973 - Jetport fire station opened and airport foam trucks were acquired, two from Brunswick Naval Air Station. Fire Alarm/Electrical Division Office closed, relocating to the new Public Safety building on Middle St.
1974 - A forth platoon was added when the new forty two hour work schedule was implemented.
1975 - Chief Engineer Joseph R. Cremo retired after ten years in office. Clement 0. Dodd appointed Fire Chief.
Medical Crisis Unit (MEDCU) was created in the new Public Safety Department to answer EMS calls.
1976 - Rescue Co. I was decommissioned and only taken to fires by an assigned engine company.
The 1864 Munjoy Hill station was closed, then razed. Engine I temporarily relocated to Central Station. First new Aircraft firefighting foam truck (Walters 1,500) in service at the Portland International Jetport. Chief Engineer Clement 0.Dodd retired in September. District Chief John J. Flynn was appointed Acting Chief, then retired at the end of December.
1977 - New Munjoy Hill station/Community Center opened. Engine I was relocated back to Munjoy Hill. Joseph E. McDonough appointed Chief of Department.
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 .
