4/30/1924 a Chicago, IL firefighter died of asphyxiation while operating at a fire. 4/30/1951 a Cambridge, MA firefighter died “while operating on mutual aid at a tissue warehouse fire in Somerville.” 4/30/2005 an Andover, Iowa firefighter who “was employed at a farm where … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 4/29
4/29/1986 the Los Angeles Central Library fire destroyed more than $2 million to the structure and $20 million to the contents. The fire required 60 fire companies, 9 rescue ambulances, 2 helicopters, 40 command officers, and over 350 firefighters, approximately 45% of the LAFD. … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 4/28
4/28/1903 a Portland, Maine firefighter “died as a result of being badly burned two days earlier at a General Alarm fire at Box 3-64, at Sturdivant's Wharf.” 4/28/1935 a Bronx, NY (FDNY) firefighter “died as a result of extreme exhaustion, while operating at an alarm Box # … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 4/27
4/27/1870 a Richmond, VA firefighter died “while operating at the State Capitol disaster when a balcony collapsed.” 4/27/1904 New York, New York (FDNY) three firefighters were killed in a four-alarm fire that destroyed the five-story John Stanley Soap Works on West Thirtieth … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 4/26
4/26/1903 two Portland, ME firefighters died at “a spectacular lumberyard fire on a wharf was threatening the entire waterfront as a stiff breeze off the harbor blew burning embers over the entire area. Second and third alarms were struck as flaming embers landed in other … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 4/25
4/25/1854 a fire in the William T. Jennings Building in Manhattan, NY (231 Broadway) claimed the lives of eleven firefighters. While battling the blaze the top floors as well as a large iron safe collapsed into the 2nd floor killing the firefighters. “A fire broke out at the … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 4/24
4/24/1851 the first alarm signal system was installed in Boston, MA, the system had 40 manual crank street boxes on 3 box circuits with 19 alarm bells originally painted black, the concept was pioneered by Dr. William F. Channing and designed by Moses G. Farmer, a telegraphic … [Read more...]