On 5/26/1828 a Manhattan, New York firefighter died in a building collapse during a fire. “In just a few minutes, an arson fire, which had been set in a livery stable, had spread to six or seven frame dwellings. Despite the valiant efforts of firefighters to stop the further … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 5/25
On 5/25/1843 the three-story brick Hotel Dixie on the corner of Monroe Street and Saint Augustine Street in Tallahassee, Florida was built in 1825 originally called the Washington Hall Hotel was the start of a fire that spread north consuming several wood-frame houses, stores, … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 5/24
On 5/24/1944 the Moose Hall fire killed ten people in Hamilton, Ontario after a flash fire swept through the crowded brick and wood dance hall structure at the corner of Wilson and Cathcart Streets. “Scores of persons jumped from second and third-story windows.” “Just after … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 5/23
On 5/23/1964 the All Hallows Church Parish Hall fire killed seventeen and injured seventy-five in San Francisco, California. “The fire started accidentally during the lighting of a fiery ceremonial sword during a Polynesian festival and quickly spread through the hall. A pan of … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 5/22
On 5/22/1892 a Saint Paul, Minnesota firefighter “was killed when he fell into the flywheel of the Stock Yard's feed elevator.” On 5/22/1898 a Toledo, Ohio firefighter was “killed by falling walls at Dow & Snell Wholesale Grocery, at Superior & Jefferson.” On 5/22/1903 … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 5/21
On 5/21/1881 the American Red Cross was founded in Washington, D.C. by humanitarians Clara Barton and Adolphus Solomons. On 5/21/1866 two Gramercy/Flatiron area, Manhattan, New York (FDNY) firefighters died just before midnight after a fire had broken out at the Academy of Music … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 5/20
On 5/20/1969 the amended Wash-Healey Act allows the adoption of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards by reference. The Walsh-Healey Act of 1936 allowed the Department of Labor to ban contract work done under hazardous conditions. Frances Perkins, Secretary of … [Read more...]