Jan 15, 2004

San Jose Fire Department celebrates 150 years of service

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the San Jose Fire Department, and a host of special activities are in the works to honor a century and a half of heroes. “We are one of the oldest established fire departments in the country,” says Assistant Fire Chief John A. McMillan, “with a very rich history.”

“Firemen have contributed in every way possible to the community, and it is something worth recognizing,” notes Vice Mayor Pat Dando’s legislative assistant, Denelle Fedor. “If an elevator’s stuck, they are there. If there is a huge fire, they are there. If someone is choking, or there is a car accident, they are there. They contribute their heart and soul, warmth, and passion.”

On Jan. 27, 1854, the San Jose Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was recognized by the City Council, establishing the San Jose Fire Department. Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was aptly named, as they fought fires by tearing down burning buildings with hooks and ladders and used bucket brigades to throw water onto the fire.

On Feb. 11, 1854, a committee was formed to organize a fireman’s ball. A parade wound through the city that day, featuring the company’s new truck, which was affectionately named “Young America,” and at the mayor’s office, the fire company’s motto, Semper Perates (always ready) was adopted.

In commemoration of the 150-year anniversary, Assistant Fire Chief McMillan has reinstated the Firefighter’s Ball, which will be held at the McEnery San Jose Convention Center on Saturday. A highlight of the commemorative ball will be a special performance of the traditional Viennese Waltz by the San Jose Fire Department’s dance troupe Waltz and Ladder Company #1. An anniversary expo, including a museum display and breakfast, is also planned for that day from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the convention center.

An official ceremony celebrating the actual 150th anniversary, will take place on at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 27 at Fire Station No. 1 at 225 North Market Street. Built next to the old Fire Station No. 1 site, the new building holds a distinctive collection of plaques, including those that pay tribute to firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Fedor considers this collection a San Jose treasure and well worth viewing.

Also, this summer, San Jose will play host to the Firefighter’s State Olympic Competition, and on July 17, there will be a Fire Apparatus Parade featuring historic and antique fire fighting equipment. A Firefighter’s Chili Cook-Off and a Firefighter’s Muster are also planned. Musters are timed events requiring team members to move a volume of water from one location to another, and to use equipment to knock down a target with a hose line.

Vice-Mayor Pat Dando, Assistant Fire Chief John McMillan, Fire Chief Dale Foster, and San Jose Firefighter’s Local 230 Pres. Randy Sekany have worked together to make these events possible. Other sponsors include Knight Ridder, Strangis Properties, Barry Swenson Builders, Rosendin Electric, Comcast, Shapell Industries, Summerhill Homes, Hi Tek Emergency Vehicles, Scott Health and Safety, Cypress Semiconductor, and Century Theatres.

“The San Jose Fire Department is one of the most progressive in the country,” McMillan notes. He is particularly proud of the fact that in 150 years, only 10 firefighters in the department have lost their lives in the line of duty. “We have bright, intelligent firefighters, committed to helping people,” he reflects. “They are very well-trained. Our present motto is “courtesy in service.” This, as well as our previous motto, “always ready,” truly reflects what the San Jose Fire Department is all about.”

After serving with the fire department for 30 years, McMillan is soon to retire. He is looking forward to the Firefighter’s Ball, at which 1,000 guests plan to attend. “It is the largest function in our history, and truly a traditional event,” he comments. McMillan appreciates the rich history of the fire department, including its collection of documents, and antique vehicles. “Our history is incredible and something every citizen in San Jose can be proud of,” he asserts.

Vice-Mayor Pat Dando agrees. “The fire department is an important part of our city and 150 years is a milestone. I encourage the entire community to participate in this citywide program,” she enthuses. “The fire department is one of our city services that people don’t think about until they need them,” she says, “but when you place that call, the fire department is on your doorstep in moments, whether to put out a fire, or save a life. The proud men and women who took their oaths to protect and serve those in our community are modern day heroes. They deserve a great deal of support.”

A look back

A lot has changed in the 150 years of the San Jose Fire Department.

“In 1854,” notes Vice-Mayor Pat Dando, “31 volunteer men served a population of 1,500 people in an area of 1.5 square miles, compared with the 721 firefighters who serve San Jose today, over 200 square miles.”

The San Jose Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was made up of volunteers who were “reputable members of the community in good standing,” according to “Guardians of the Garden City,” by Richard L. Nailen, and existing members of the company voted on nominees by placing a black or white ball in a wooden voting box. Five or more black balls meant you were out, or blackballed. Many of San Jose’s streets were named in honor of the charter members of the company, including Gurley, Allen, Martin, Hale, Balbach, Goodrich, Lewis, Reed, Lightston, Stout, Pearl, Flickenger, McKee, Spencer, Clayton, Williams, and Brown. Their first fire station was the leased property of fire fighter Frank Lightston. The two-story structure stood for years as one of the community’s notable landmarks.

On July 24, 1854, a hand-pump fire engine was purchased from the San Francisco Fire Department, along with 400 feet of riveted leather hose, and the Empire Engine Company No. 1 was formed.

Over the next three decades, the fire department kept pace with San Jose’s growth with the acquisition of steam-powered engines and the horses to pull them. In 1876, the formerly volunteer department became a professional one. According to Vice-Mayor Dando, the first paid fire department received $100 a month, and the operating budget was less than $8,000 a year. Today, the San Jose Fire Department’s operating budget is $107 million.

In 1877, a fire alarm telegraph system was installed in the city. The fire alarm pull boxes of this system continued to be used, expanded, and improved for nearly 100 years. According to San Jose Fire Captain Phil Manley, in the mid-1970s, the fire alarm pull boxes were removed as many of the calls were false, and the valid ones were also called in.

In the 1940s, radios came into play, which was a huge change, says Manley, as individuals could now relay information. Before then, all they had were fire alarm pull boxes which were located on street corners. A phantom box was assigned to intersections without one in order to help firefighters pinpoint the location. “Back at the fire station, a central machine would clank out a code on tape which identified the specific pull box, and a bell would ring. The message printed three times and sometimes took so long to print, that by the third time the firemen had already arrived,” Manley comments.

Another great change was when the fire department switched from horse-drawn to motorized vehicles. “When the apparatus was horse-drawn, fire department dogs would run alongside the vehicles to alert people and keep the vehicles on the horses on track,” Manley notes. Brownie, who was an esteemed member of the San Jose Fire Department in the 1940s, was their last dog.

The 20th Century brought new opportunities and challenges to both the city and its fire department. By the mid-1960s, microwave relays were replacing the outdated telegraph system, and the department boasted two dozen stations, including Station 22 on Bose Lane in Almaden.

In the past 30 years, Manley has seen many changes to the San Jose Fire Department. Due to improved building codes and construction, and aggressive fire prevention, the majority of calls currently answered by the fire department are first-aid related. Due to this, every station in the city of San Jose includes a firefighter/paramedic. In rescuing victims from serious car accidents, rather than being limited by a pry bar, they now utilize Hurst Tools, or Jaws of Life. The fire department also changed from wooden to aluminum ladders, which are lighter to carry, and do not require annual sanding and varnishing. Due to the immense weight they carry, the fire departments trucks and engines are now diesel rather than gasoline-powered.

“When I came on, I rode on the tail board,” relates Manley, “but it was cold in the winter with only the exhaust to keep you warm.” Firefighter and engineer John Hodges of Almaden Fire Station #22 also remembers those days. “It used to be fun riding the tail boards,” he recalls. Today, riding the tail boards is illegal for safety reasons, and the cabs are enclosed with heaters and air conditioning, Hodges says.

Today, the San Jose Fire Department employs more than 700 highly trained personnel and responds to more than 70,000 fire, rescue, and medical emergencies each year.