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On July 1, 1922, the last of the volunteers were replaced by full-time paid firemen. At this time, the department consisted of the Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, 11 drivers and 15 firemen. For equipment there were 3 first line engines, 1 reserve engine, and a ladder truck located in three fire stations. |
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First Station in 1907.
In May of 1907, the voters of the City of Glendale approved a $5,000 bond issue, this money our first fire station was built and the Glendale Fire Department was born. In addition to the new fire station, two fire hydrants were installed, 800' of hose was purchased and to provide mobility, a horse and wagon were acquired. The City's first station once stood on Howard Street next to the present day Public Service building. Behind the Fire Station's horse stall an iron cage was built which served as the city's jail.
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Fire Chief Harry Miller in 1910.
Harry M. Miller doubled in brass to serve as Glendale's first City Marshall as as Fire Chief from 1907-1914. As Fire Chief he organized the first volunteer company consisting of a horse drawn wagon and 25 men.
From these meager beginnings, this group of spirited citizens received their big test on June 9, 1910; Glendale's first major fire. The fire started the yards of the Valley Lumber Company, located at the corner of Broadway Maryland. Although the fire did not spread to adjoining property, the loss of this company proved that fire protection had lagged behind the growth of the . |
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Fire Station 1, 311 E. Broadway, completed and occupied in Feb. 1914.
After the fire, the board of trustees ordered another bond election so that the defenses of the city could be improved. By 1913 the money from the bonds used to construct a new headquarters fire station on east Broadway (where main post office now stands). Along with the new station, the first motorized engine was purchased. This engine was manufaactured by Knox Truck Company was one of the first engines built by this company.
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With the coming of motorized equipment, it was necessary o hire a permanent full-time driver. To fill this position, a garage mechanic named A.H. Lankford was appointed as Glendale's first full-time paid fireman at a salary of $80.00 a month. In July 1919, Lankford was appointed Glendale's first Fire Chief at a salary of $110.00 a month. The work week at that time was a continuous 24 hour duty with 3 hours off each day for meals. After working seven days, a day off was granted. This schedule continued in effect until September 1919, when the two platoon system was adopted Station #1, 1929 with quad truck. The truck, a 1926 American LaFrance had no aerial ladder, but carried ground ladders, water, a 400 gpm pump, and various other equipment. When it was retired in the 1940's, it went to Fawnskin near Big Bear where it was modified to fight fire in the lumber camp. It went through several owners until the Glendale Muster Club found it in a vacant lot in 1979. It has been restored and now goes to parades and won many awards. |
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