Today in DFD history – July 8th 1893
Detroit’s first water tower was placed in service.
The tower was built by the Fire Extinguisher Manufacturing Company of Chicago, and could reach a height of 65 ft.
Detroit’s first water tower being demonstrated in 1895.
The water tower was place in service on High (Vernor) near Hastings.
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Today in DFD history – July 4
1871
The entire Detroit Fire Department Department participated in the Independence Day Parade.
1876
The First Firemen’s Monument erected in Elmwood Cemetery was dedicated.
1886
Firemen were allowed 3 leave of absence days each month, however they could not take leave on July 4th.
Today in DFD History – June 7th, 1927
Detroit Fire Department’s first ambulance went into service at Second and Burroughs, Engine 17’s quarters.
This was only the second such unit in the United States. The ambulance was a gift to the department from Paxton Mendelssohn, a fire buff that later became a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners, in memory of his mother, Lydia. The ambulance also served as the department’s Coffee Wagon.
Mendelssohn also donated the departments second ambulance in 1937, once again in memory of Lydia.
This ambulance was custom built on a Cadillac chassis by the Meteor Motor Company of Piqua, OH. In 1951 it was completely rebuilt and modernized, once again as a gift from Paxton.
1969 rolled around and once again Paxton donates a brand new modern Medical Unit to the department. As always, it was donated in memory of his mother.
Today in DFD history – April 17, 1920
The Detroit Fire Department Band was organized by Captain Anthony Delesie, Glenn Middleditch, Otto Klatt (all of Rescue 1), and a fourth unidentified man from another fire company. Their first public appearance was marching in the Armistice Day Parade.
Detroit Fire Department Band and other Fire Department members – 1920’s era
By 1926 the band had grown to 44 men.
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My heart is filled with sorrow.
May you rest in peace retired Chief Hartsfield.
You were one of the BEST!
Richard A. Hartsfield
Retired Battalion Chief, 2nd Battalion
Lived: 01/16/1953 to 04/12/2013
Served: 02/13/1978 to 12/07/2012
When you started a shift with Chief Hartsfield you knew you were going to have interesting and thought provoking conversation.
You knew you would hear a funny story told by a master story teller.
You knew you were going to learn something that day.
You knew you were with a boss that would do everyting possible to keep you safe.
You knew you were loved.
I sincerely hope he realized the impact he has had on me and countless others throughout his life.
Chief, you are deeply missed.
Visitation: Friday, April 19, 2013
James Cole Funeral Home
16100 Schaefer Hwy., Detroit, 48235
9:00am to 9:00pm
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
1000 Eliot Detroit, MI 48207
In State: 10:00am
Funeral Mass: 11:00am
Chief Hartsfield was as passionate about music as he was about firefighting. He served as Detroit Fire Department Band Director for several years. Click here to read more about the band.
The first public art exhibit in Detroit was held at the Firemen’s Hall in February 1852.
The exhibit proceeds went to fund further construction of the Hall. The first floor of the Hall housed storefronts that were rented to businesses, which provided additional funds for the building and the Fire Department Association.
When the Hall was completed it served as a public auditorium for theaters, concerts and other public entertainment. It also contained a spacious reading room and established a considerable library.
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If your Dad was a Detroit Firefighter that served a long or short leave day punishment… You might be a “Mealer”.
Meal time at the firehouse- 1982. Can you put names to these faces? If so, post them in comments at the end of this article.
At one time, the Detroit Fire Department didn’t want to punish a person by suspention that would result in his family suffer from the loss of pay. Instead a system of long or short leave day punishments was implimented. This seems
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As mentioned in the previous article being late was the most common punishable offense for Detroit Firefighters listed in documents from 1913-1914. Offenses involving run response were also common.
Suspended harness systems, like the one shown in this picture, were installed in all Detroit firehouses in 1878.
In the era when horse power literally pulled fire equipment to emergencies, it was important
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With recent stories in the news about Detroit Firefighters not getting proper cleaning supplies and paper products, most notably toilet paper, there has been an outpouring of support. Of course the big donations, such as Charmin delivering a semi-load of toilet paper, make the news. To me however, the smaller donations are more touching, more meaningful and far more personal.
Thank you to Bill & Mary Anne Holloway who recently dropped off donations to E54 / L26.
Last week, while off duty, I stopped by my quarters.
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