Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Traditional Detroit Fire Station Doors Being Replaced

Today in Detroit Fire Department History - January 1978

Today in Detroit Fire history – January 1978

The department began a program to replace the traditional swing-out doors on Detroit fire stations’ apparatus bays. New overhead roll up doors were put in place.

Engine 51’s quarters with one traditional swing-out door (right) and one overhead roll-up door (left). Engine 51’s quarters is located on Livernois at Curtis.

Engine 49’s station on Grand River and Manor was one of the first stations to receive the new doors.

A majority of Detroit’s fire stations were built when fire rigs were much smaller. As technology evolved fire apparatus got bigger. The doors were changed in order to provide more clearance for the larger modern day rigs. They also provided additional security to fire stations that had experienced several break in while firefighters were out of the station responding to emergencies.

Posted on Monday, April 4, 2016

Detroit Firefighter Line of Duty Death – Fred Bergman

Today in Detroit Fire Department History - April 4 1947

Detroit Fire Department Sergeant Fred Bergman made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the citizens of Detroit on April 4, 1947. At the time of his death Fred was assigned to Engine 32.

Initially it was thought that Bergman had become overcome by smoke while fighting a fire in a residence at 9343 E. Vernor. He was revived at the scene, but became ill while his company was returning to their quarters.

Sergeant Bergman was transported to Receiving Hospital. He passed away about 40 minutes after reaching the hospital. It was later found that he had suffered a heart attack.

At the time of his death Fred was 49 years old. He was a 23 year veteran of the department.

Fred left behind a wife and daughter.

Posted on Monday, April 4, 2016

Detroit Firemen Get 300 Alarms, All At The Same Time

Detroit Fire Department history - April 4, 1956

Today in DFD history – April 4, 1956

In 1956, Detroit was still using a telegraph based fire alarm call box system. Boxes were located throughout the city, typically on street corners. Each box had an individual number that identified its location.

When there was an emergency a person would go to the nearest box and pull the hook. The box would send a series of electrical pulses through cables that would punch a tape and ring bells in fire stations. The number of rings and holes in the tape corresponded to the box number. Firefighters had run cards that identify the box number, location of the box and what companies responded to the alarm.

On the night of April 4, 1956 firefighters throughout the city were extremely busy when they received 300 alarms all at the same time.

Posted on Saturday, November 21, 2015

Second Detroit Firefighter Death On Duty in 2 Days

Another Sad Day For the Detroit Fire Department

Once again central office has delivered a radio message no firefighter wants to hear.

For the second time in 2 days the Detroit Fire Department grieves the lost another member who died while on duty. Walter Szelag, Captain of Fire Boat 1, passed away from what appears to be a heart attack.

At approximately 4:15 pm, November 20, 2015 crew members radioed for an ambulance to be sent to the fire boat station. Captain Szelag was transported to Detroit Receiving Hospital where he was pronounced dead. At 5:47 pm department radios delivered the sad news. ““Central office regrets to inform you of the untimely death of Capt. Walter Szelag of Fire Boat 1.”

One firefighter reported that this was Captain Szelag’s last scheduled shift of the season before the Fire Boat is shut down for the winter.

Captain Szelag’s death comes on the heals of another Detroit Firefighter death. Just 2 days prior, November 18, 2015, Sgt. Vincent “Vinny” Smith passed away while on duty at Engine 48’s quarters.

Vincent “Vinny” Smith on the roof while he was a firefighter at Ladder 19.

He was found at approximately 7:30 am seated in his recliner. At this point there an official cause of death has not been released, his death also appears to be from a heart attack.

Vinny served on the department for 23 years and was currently assigned to L-13. Sgt. Smith leaves behind a wife and 5 children.

Posted on Thursday, March 5, 2015

Detroit Firemen Ride To Fire In 116 Taxis

Today in Detroit Fire Department History – March 4, 1957

Detroit firemen reported in style to a four-alarm blaze today.

They used 116 taxicabs to reach a fire in a two-story building that caused damage estimated by Fire Chief Edward J. Blohm at $50,000.

The fire was still burning when a new shift of firemen reported for duty at 8 a.m. Since all their trucks and other equipment were at the scene, the reporting firefighters hailed taxicabs to carry them to the blazing building.

The firemen going off duty used the taxis to return to their stations.

A tally on the city’s taxicab cost was not immediately available.

Source: The Escanaba Daily Press, March 4, 1957

March 3rd – Detroit Fire History

1909

10 Detroit Firemen Trapped on Top Floor of Building

1958

Chief 4 Bauman Injured

36 Firemen All “Burned Up”

Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2015

10 Detroit Firemen Trapped on Top Floor of Building – March 3, 1909

Today in Detroit Fire Department History, March 3, 1909

Ten men faced death on the top floor of a three-story power building Tuesday when they were cut off from escape by fire on the lower floors.

Several of them tried to jump from the windows, but were restrained by their champions until the firemen rescued them with ladders.

All suffered smoke and heat, but none with serious results.

Source: The Huntington Herald, March 3, 1909

Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Chief 4 Bauman Injured – March 3, 1958

Today in Detroit Fire Department History, March 3, 1958

Fred Bauman, Chief of Detroit Fire Batallion 4, was injured seriously today when a fire-weakened second floor on which he was standing gave way, hurling him 16 fee to the ground floor.

Bauman, 56, fell at Irving School after the building had been ransacked and set afire by vandals. He suffered multiple fractures of the left side and possible spinal injuries. Firemen estimated damage at $25,000.

Source: Ironwood Daily Globe, March 3, 1958

Irving School was located at 94 W. Willis, between Woodward and Cass. This area is now the 1st Battalion.

The building was originally built in 1882 and served for years as a K-6 elementary school .

Irving Elementary School

Posted on Friday, December 12, 2014

Detroit Firefighter Line of Duty Death – Michael Johnson

Today in DFD history – December 12, 1977

Detroit Fire Department Firefighter Michael L. Johnson made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the citizens of Detroit. At the time of his death Michael was assigned to Ladder 11.

Photo courtesy of the Detroit Firemen’s
Fund Association history book.

On December 12, 1977 at 9:57 am Ladder 11 responded to an alarm of a fire at 3433 E. Warren. Ladder 11 proceeded out of quarters, turning left on Milwaukee. Firefighter Johnson was the tillerman of Ladder 11. Firefighter Johnson signaled the driver with 2 beeps of the buzzer that he was ready for the rig to move.