Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service: Difference between revisions

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* [[1906]]: 7 fire stations, 88 men, 40 horses, 5 engines, 7 hose wagons, 2 trucks, 1 chemical unit, 2 chief's buggies, and 365 fire plugs
* [[1906]]: 7 fire stations, 88 men, 40 horses, 5 engines, 7 hose wagons, 2 trucks, 1 chemical unit, 2 chief's buggies, and 365 fire plugs
* [[1907]]: 9 fire stations, 107 men, 46 horses, 6 engines, 9 hose wagons, 2 trucks, 1 chemical unit, 2 chief's buggies, and 426 fire plugs
* [[1907]]: 9 fire stations, 107 men, 46 horses, 6 engines, 9 hose wagons, 2 trucks, 1 chemical unit, 2 chief's buggies, and 426 fire plugs
* [[1908]]: The addition of 3 supply wagons and 34 new fire plugs.
* [[1908]]: The addition of 3 supply wagons and 34 new fire plugs.<sup>1.</sup>


On [[March 10]], [[1934]] the department, headed by chief [[B. O. Hargrove]] fought a massive fire at the [[Loveman, Joseph & Loeb]] warehouse. Following the fire, a souvenir book describing the battle was published with proceeds going to the [[Birmingham Firemen's Relief Association]]. The book listed the department's equipment at the time as follows:
On [[March 10]], [[1934]] the department, headed by chief [[B. O. Hargrove]] fought a massive fire at the [[Loveman, Joseph & Loeb]] warehouse. Following the fire, a souvenir book describing the battle was published with proceeds going to the [[Birmingham Firemen's Relief Association]]. The book listed the department's equipment at the time as follows:
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* [[Birmingham Fire Station No. 31]] 2478 [[Alton Road]] ([[East Jefferson]])
* [[Birmingham Fire Station No. 31]] 2478 [[Alton Road]] ([[East Jefferson]])
* [[Birmingham Fire Station No. 32]] 3995 [[U.S. Highway 280 South]] ([[Highway 280]])
* [[Birmingham Fire Station No. 32]] 3995 [[U.S. Highway 280 South]] ([[Highway 280]])
==Notes==
# (Ward-1909)


==References==
==References==
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* Kuhl, Earl D., editor (1934) "[http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll8,441 Illustrated Souvenir: Birmingham's $3,000,000 Fire, March 10, 1934]." Birmingham: Birmingham Firemen's Relief Association. - accessed at Birmingham Public Library Archives Digital Collections, February 22, 2007
* Kuhl, Earl D., editor (1934) "[http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll8,441 Illustrated Souvenir: Birmingham's $3,000,000 Fire, March 10, 1934]." Birmingham: Birmingham Firemen's Relief Association. - accessed at Birmingham Public Library Archives Digital Collections, February 22, 2007
* Laughlin, Jerry W. (1972) "[http://local117brffa.org/history.html The Birmingham Fire Department: The First 100 Years 1872-1972]". Birmingham Firefighters Local 117.
* Laughlin, Jerry W. (1972) "[http://local117brffa.org/history.html The Birmingham Fire Department: The First 100 Years 1872-1972]". Birmingham Firefighters Local 117.
* Ward, George B. (May 1, 1909) "How Birmingham Has Grown in Past Four Years." ''Birmingham Ledger''. Reprinted in "[http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll8,2417 Geo. Ward Made a Business Mayor. Geo. Ward Will Make a Business Sheriff. Help Him Win]" (1910) Birmingham. Roberts & Son, Printers. - accessed via the Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 00:08, 24 January 2008

BFRS Patch.jpg

The Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service was founded in 1872 as the Birmingham Fire Department under chief Ferdinand Neville.

The current service is headed by Acting Chief Carl A. Harper (replacing retired Chief Murray) and consists of 648 firefighters in four battalions responding from 31 stations. The Department's motto is "Excellence through Service".

History

The Birmingham Fire Department originally only served the downtown area. A system of alarm bells told firemen which ward the alarm originated from. The department's new steamer, nicknamed Bossie O'Brien, was paraded for Mardi Gras 1886.

In May 1909 Mayor George Ward reported the following yearly acquisitions for the fire department:

  • 1905 (baseline): 6 fire stations, 56 men, 31 horses, 5 engines, 6 hose wagons, 1 truck, 1 chemical unit, 1 chief's buggy, and 320 fire plugs
  • 1906: 7 fire stations, 88 men, 40 horses, 5 engines, 7 hose wagons, 2 trucks, 1 chemical unit, 2 chief's buggies, and 365 fire plugs
  • 1907: 9 fire stations, 107 men, 46 horses, 6 engines, 9 hose wagons, 2 trucks, 1 chemical unit, 2 chief's buggies, and 426 fire plugs
  • 1908: The addition of 3 supply wagons and 34 new fire plugs.1.

On March 10, 1934 the department, headed by chief B. O. Hargrove fought a massive fire at the Loveman, Joseph & Loeb warehouse. Following the fire, a souvenir book describing the battle was published with proceeds going to the Birmingham Firemen's Relief Association. The book listed the department's equipment at the time as follows:

1 65-foot Seagrave Water Tower
2 85-foot Seagrave Aerial Ladder Trucks
1 55-foot Seagrave Service Truck
1 55-fot American LaFrance Service Truck
2 1200-gallon Seagrave Pumpers
1 1000-gallon American LaFrance Pumper
2 750-gallon Seagrave Pumpers
1 600-gallon Seagrave Pumper
14 750-gallon American LaFrance Pumpers
3 600-gallon American LaFrance Pumpers
1 Seagrave Combination Chemical and Hose Wagon
Various small trucks and sedans for personnel
Approx. 70,000 feet of hose line

The department currently operates with 648 firefighters staffing 31 stations in four battalions. The department has 27 pumpers, 2 quint trucks, 2 bronto units, and 16 rescue units. They also have two hazardous materials units, two heavy rescue units, two air units, two decontamination units and two brush-fire trucks. The department also keeps a small fleet of electric golf carts which can be used for operations during public events like City Stages.

Chiefs

Stations

Notes

  1. (Ward-1909)

References

External links

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