Term Paper on Fire Department History

The first fire company was established in 1877 in the city of Berkeley with a hose reel and hand pump kept in a shack near the riverside. With the raise of the population of Berkeley in the coming years because of the migrations the requirement of an enduring specialized fire department had become evident. In September of 1904, an incident took place as a result of which the City Hall burnt and destroyed by fire. A permanent fire department was formed without delay in next month and one of the early volunteer leaders, James Kenney was nominated as the first fire chief who expired in 1916 as a result of injuries sustained while fighting a fire at the El Dorado Oil Works.

The fire department enlarged by the year 1910 and was raised to a team of ten companies placed in nine established stations with a total of 74 volunteer firemen. The department was fully mechanized by 1914 and was reorganized in the two-platoon system of employment and became extensively renowned as the most modern fire department. Berkeley experienced a catastrophic tragic fire, on September, 01 1923, that affected the north end of the city from what is now called Tilden Park, annihilating some over 600 houses and commerce buildings. The detonation cause for this dreadful fire was just a small grass fire which later spread to over three miles from the then city limits. After this destructive and horrifying fire, efforts were concentrated towards safety and were decided to try to lessen the likelihood of a repetition of such a disaster. The water delivery system was improved, quite a lot of new fire stations were constructed including the replacement of one shattered in the fire and staff levels were augmented. The population of Berkeley continued to grow steadily. The fire department also continued to expand and modernize itself as to develop into national styles. The equipment that was protective was purchased for the department including resuscitator for use by the rescue squad and later for the truck companies.

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The increase in the public dwellings and constructions made certain that the city should once again begin to attend to the troubles of an old fleet of gadgets by buying several new engines. The drill tower was constructed at the present location on Cedar Street between and in 1940, the Civil Service System was assumed and the first promotional examinations for the staff members were held. The fireman’s working timings was altered from 10 and 14 hour shifts to the arrangement of 24 hours duty and 24 hours rest, and in 1945, the concept of 72 hour work in one week was established. During the 2nd world war years, the fire department also under took the job for much of the civil defense instructions and awareness. Berkeley fire apparatus was equipped with two-way portable radios by the year 1949. The call letters introduced then, remain unchanged even at present; KMA 704. Many of the fresh firemen recruits were returning as WWII experienced person who carried a high standard of commitment and maturity from their military service to the fire department.

The reorganization of the fire department was felt once again in 1970 as the staff levels continued to reduce. On September 22, 1970, a major fire occurred in the hills between Berkeley and Oakland in September 1970 in Oakland but the Berkeley Fire Department was a significant partner in battling that fire which eventually involved some 102 engine companies and ended with annihilation of 37 homes in Oakland. The fire department was further assigned the task for ambulance service from the police department in 1977. Emergency medical transport system was started and the fire department took the initial steps toward a service fire and rescue organization. [Mike Flynn]

The department hired its foremost female fire fighter, Debra Pryor in 1985 who also became the Deputy Fire Chief. Presently, nine women are serving as fire fighters in Berkeley. Berkeley Fire Department commenced the paramedic service, and paramedic firefighters became an indispensable part of the department’s ever-expanding stack. The Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989, that did such extensive damage to Bay Area cities, demanded a great effort of the Berkeley Fire Department. The consequences of this tragic fire included transformation and improvement of the communal reaction policies between adjoining authorities. A dangerous hill area was recognized and hard work to alleviate danger on public and private property through prolonged checks and fuel administration programs were ready and completed within the year. Special wild land fire fighting education and common support practices were greater than before and carried out frequently. Community Emergency Response Training, [CERT] which encompasses classes in fire containment, catastrophe first aid, and light search and rescue, was offered by the fire department with the assistance of the Office of Emergency Services. The Berkeley Fire Department at present has seven fire stations, with seven engine companies, two truck companies, and three ambulances. There are currently 130 sworn fire control personnel. [Mike Flynn]

The Influence of Community on Fire Department Development
Since the creation of the department the society of the Berkley has been completely involved in the development of their own Fire department. The society has always been found prepared to provide it with the required support. The fire department throughout this age improved its fire avoidance actions and became very dynamic in the community.
 

Funds
In the modern thinking, the fire department always constituted a comparatively current development. This was possible with the generous financial assistance by the residents of the city. Their personnel were mostly volunteer (non salaried) and to some level career salaried as well. Characteristically, volunteer fire fighters were found mainly in the communities, against the career fire fighters of cities. The modern Berkley department with salaried personnel and standardized equipment has become an important ingredient of municipal administration of the city. The funds provided by the city government in time helped the fire department develop to a great extent.

Volunteers
The city of Berkley has always come forward to build its fire department by providing the workforce. The majority of Berkeley fire fighters were Berkeley residents. The Berkeley citizens had always been influential in local affairs. The 1960’s was a decade of great change for the fire department. The Free Speech Movement at the institution of higher education, the Civil Rights Movement, the anti-Vietnam War Movement, People’s Park, and fundamental politics shaped new political scenery for the city and the fire department as well. This was a chaotic time of social modification and remonstrations, and Berkeley was at the classic location of a large amount of this bustle.
 

Training
The role of the training of the employed and volunteer firefighters has always been a matter of prime concern of the fire department. It is the community, which assisted the department by always making the workface available enabling establishment of fire-fighting crews, trained and prepared to undertake the fires over large areas. In modern times when the fire fighting has become a profession like any other one, the need of the community involvement has ever increased. There is now a need to establish incident command posts, communication systems to remain operative and many new fire-fighting operations including use of air force. The radios are being used to control operations, and airplanes are employed to drop supplies as well as chemicals. Helicopters serve as command posts and transport fire fighters and their gear to areas that cannot be reached quickly on the ground. Some severe wildfires have required more than 10,000 fire fighters to be engaged at the same time. This all has necessitated the preparation of highest level. The role of the community has now also become more vital in the development of the fire department.

Safety Measures
The community can assist the fire departments in implementing the fire precautionary measures by adhering to the protection procedures. Most of the large fires took place because of the negligence of some one visiting the forests. The implementation of the safety measures by the community can help reduce the fire and ultimately reduce the damages to property and life.