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
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
Today in Detroit Fire Department History – March 3, 1958
Thirty-six Detroit Firemen were plenty burned up today.
The members of Engine Co. 31 and Rescue Squad 4 each recently chipped in $6 to by a 24-inch table model television set. The settled down to watch a favorite program when they got a fire call
– a flase alarm.
1958 Philco table top television set.
It took the firemen only seven minutes to make the three-mile round trip. But when they returned they found they had missed not only the program. The TV set was gone. Some one had taken it.
Source: The Sandusky Register- March 3, 1958
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.
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If your loved one is a firefighters there’s a possibility he’s been hiding something from you. He hates the firefighting related gifts he receives.
He knows that the people who give them had the best of intentions. But let’s be real. Exactly how many statues of Dalmatians next to a fire hydrant does one person need?
With this in mind, I’ve put together a huge list of gift ideas that your firefighter will truly love.
Fire alarm pull boxes, brass nozzles and vintage department photos are just some of the items that can be found on ebay. I would avoid badges and patches unless your firefighter is a badge or patch collector.
A word of warning: some items on ebay are listed from specific departments (especially large departments like Detroit and FDNY) may not be from those departments. Do your homework, and read descriptions very carefully.
This handy strap will keep gloves together and ready for use, and frees up pocket space in bunker gear.
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This is a great book for anyone who loves history.
This book is divided in two sections. The beginning section combines historic photographs and information on significant fire department events spanning from 1701 to 2007. The remainder of the book has individual photographs or all department personnel in 2007. This section also has pictures of every Chief of Department, as well as some information and pictures Detroit firehouses. Although a large portion of the book is comprised of pictures of personnel, the historic information that is included is organized nicely and very interesting.
Detroit firefighters responded to a fire in a two-story commercial building located on 8 Mile Road and Stansbury, the city’s northwest side. The building housed the General Merchandise Liquidation Surplus Outlet, which sold appliances, electronics and furniture.
Two firefighters were hospitalized for smoke inhalation after they crawled out of the building. Initial reports from local new outlets are stating that their air tanks “apparently gave out”. Footage of the firefighters exiting the building can be seen starting around the 30 second mark in this news report.
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I’m hoping you can help me with a question that one of our followers sent in.
At one point several firefighters had car license plate numbers that started with DFD. I know some still have the DFD plates.
The question is, were those plates reserved by the Secretary of State for Detroit Firefighters only?
If so, was this practice discontinued?
If you have any insights or stories related to the DFD plates I would love to share them. Please leave a comment below.
