Firehouses

[DetroitTeacher]

Just thought I'd start up a new thread on the Firehouses :cool: The other thread was a great way to stay in the loop.

[Dfd]

Hey DT, I can't find the old firehouses thread. How do I find it?:confused:

[DetroitTeacher]

Well, that's a darn good question. It's on the old forum but I have no clue how to get it to thenew forum :(

[Bigb23]

Hey DT, I can't find the old firehouses thread. How do I find it?:confused:

Hey, Dfd, Lowell can't import the old threads over. We just start new threads, and we can link back to the old forum.

http://atdetroit.net/forum/messages/5/78802.html?1238469430

[DetroitTeacher]

Ah, which is exactly what I did :D

[Dfd]

DT, the old thread ran for 2 1/2 years. Good history book.

[DetroitTeacher]

Has it been that long? Amazing thread it was...

[Rocko]

I checked in on Engine 29 in Delray today... looking good

I also drove by old Engine company on Bayside over in the Oakwood neighborhood - it's been converted into a residence since that company was closed or moved.... ironic that the structures on each side are both charred from fires...

Anyone know if the Engine Company on W. Lafayette near Rosa Parks is still in service? I drove by there today too, it looked nicely maintained but I could not see anyone around...

[TONY BOX 42]

The quaters you refer to was originaly L.Co.12. It is now is the quaters of E.Co.8

[Rocko]

Thanks for the info Tony Box.

Here are some photos from a couple years back:
Engine 29 in Delray

536

537

[TONY BOX 42]

Nice photos. That is a KME engine.E.29 celibrated 100 years of
service in 2007.Quarters is the correct spelling.

[M CD M]

I have found a photo of Engine 57 with the Thunderbolt siren on it. But still would like another. If anyone has any other photo's of Engine 57. Please post them.
573
You can view my restoration of this siren here http://www.michigancivildefense.com/id2.html

[TONY BOX 42]

I am answering a question about Church fires on another thread.
It belongs here. I think we can get more input.
I show four church fires in the past few months.
We have discussed all but the most recent here.
12/25/08 17377 Westbrok
1/11/09 2330 W. Davison.
7/26/08 Woodward Edmund Place.
Working fire again on Tuesday.4/22/09
Chene Farnsworth on Thursday.4/23/09.

[Rocko]

I know Engine 36 was the one that caught fire on the east side a few months back. I recently heard a rumor that this old firehouse is going to be saved, but there was no more information about it. Anyone heard anything?

[TONY BOX 42]

E.36 (Miller at Helen ) closed in 1982. Chief 3 closed in 2005.
L.16 and Medic 16 run from this quarters. I think you mean
L.14. Last I heard it was to be rebuilt.That is subject to
change,L.14 in service and running with E.38 at Coplin
north of Jefferson.

[Rocko]

I meant No. 14, gee my memory is terrible :o

Glad to hear it should be repaired and returned to service! No thanks to George Jackson or the DDA for this example of historic preservation

[TONY BOX 42]

My memory is failing also. Missed a church fire
from 3/21/09 at 8240 Grand River.We had a very
intresting discussion on the history of the church
and it's organ.

[Lansingfire]

Just wondering what the multiple was yesterday, I think it was downtown.

[697Macomb]

No extra alarm fire in city yesterday.

[TONY BOX 42]

Lansingfire: 7th. Batt. had a good one around 20:30.
Extra companies. No extra alarm.
697: An address I know well. You ex. C.O. ?

[Philbo]

Hey Tony, they had a second alarm fire yesterday around W. Jefferson and Carey streets. Unless you're talking about something different. ;)

[TONY BOX 42]

Philbo : You are correct. Saturday W, Jefferson & Carey second alarm.
Sunday same building, extra company fire.Firefighters web site has photos.

[TONY BOX 42]

Lansingfire: Heard you earned your pay today. Details please.

[Lansingfire]

Yes, unfortunitly it was my day off.

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20090504/NEWS01/905040337&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=10295184

[Rocko]

I drove by old Engine 48, which is located on Bayside near Sanders in the Oakwood Neighborhood, SW side, and was surprised and distressed to find that it had recently suffered a fire itself. This building apparently went into service c. 1924 and remained in active DFD service until about 1980, when it moved down to W. Fort St. and Downing, just south of Schaefer. The firehouse was then converted into a residence, and it was in good shape when I drove by a year or so back. External damage was minimal, but there's no telling what the inside looks like. It's a real bummer that this building suffered this unfortunate fire, does anyone know what the plans might be for this building? All the windows on the lower two floors where windows were broken were tightly covered with plywood. Also to note, the houses immediately on each side of old 48 had each separately caught fire sometime in the past year, but when I drove by today, they both had been leveled.

Here's an old photo of 48 in service, from detroitfirefighters.

http://detroitfirefighters.net/images/FIREHOUSE%20PIC%2042.jpg

After 48 moved to the other side of I-75, old 48 became a residence, here's a MikeM photo of 48 from the old Firehouse thread on the old board:

http://atdetroit.net/forum/messages/5/78819.jpg (http://atdetroit.net/forum/messages/5/78819.jpg)

[Dfd]

Thanks for the links Rocko. And thanks everyone for restarting the Firehouses thread. I think the information gathered so far is really valuable. Since we can access the old thread for reading, I'd like to try to save it to a flash drive or something. Do you guys think that's doable?

[Rocko]

From today's Free Press:

Firefighters celebrate 100 years at Engine 32

BY DAN CORTEZ • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • June 7, 2009



When Bert Johansson was captain at Engine (http://www.freep.com/article/20090607/NEWS01/90607031/Firefighters+celebrate+100+years+of+Engine+32#) 32 on East Jefferson in Detroit in 1960, the east side fire station was surrounded by homes, factories and a hotel.

Neighborhood children were common around the fire house, which opened in 1909. In the years since Johansson was in charge, the neighborhood has evaporated, but the fire station remains.

“Not much has changed,” Johansson, 82, of Algonac, said this afternoon as he looked around the fire house. “They did change the sleeping quarters. Now everybody has their own area. Before it was just one big dormitory.”

Johnasson was among about 100 former and current firefighters and friends who celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the station this afternoon with food, a raffle and plenty of stories for everyone.

“We didn’t have a dog,” Johansson recalled. “One guy got bit by the dog so the chief said we couldn’t have any more dogs.”

Don Carlson, a fire engine operator who organized the event, first thought about the anniversary when he transferred to the station five years ago. He noticed that the front of the building has an engraving with the year 1908. Carlson, 44, of Columbus, discovered that was the year the building was constructed. It opened in January 1909.

“I’ve been planning since I first got here,” Carlson said. “I did some research and called all the guys personally who used to work here. I wanted to give them each a call.”

The former firefighters on hand this afternoon had a chance to flip through log books that track the engine’s activity going back to 1953.

Vermeulen Julius, 84, was an engineer at the station from 1961-71. Looking up at the rafters, he said nothing much has changed inside the simple red brick building since his days with the engine. But looking outside, to the grassy fields that now isolate the station, Julius said the city has changed around Engine.

“Back then you had a lot of southerners living around here,” Julius said. “It was a blue collar neighborhood, but that’s gone now.”

[EMG]

I lived on Nottingham near Morang, and my local fire station was No. 58 on Whittier and Lakepoint. Here are a couple of views. These were taken in early '01.

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1591

[ridgeabilly]

I have some here-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/justbeamensch/sets/72157604068068111/

[redfordsinner]

anyone know whats up with detroitfirefighters.net? I keep opening a Saratech.com instead. Anyone else having problems? Thanks and take care!!!

[Buy American]

Try www.detroitfirefighters.com

[Rocko]

1924
Detroit Fireboat Curtis Randolph gives a watershow near their dock at the foot of 24th Street. June 9, 2008.

1925
Some photos of Engine 37 just before the fire squad was removed in 2005. The fire station is still the home of an active EMS company. Hopefully, someday the fire company will be restored here. This was the last firehouse built for horse-drawn equipment. No. 37 is located on Central Ave. near Dix.

1926
Flagpole with 37 insignia.

1927
Door detail of Engine 37.

1928
Engine 23 at E. Grand Blvd. and Moran on the east side. This photo is from January 2009.

[Rocko]

1929
Engine 18 and Ladder 10 on Mt. Elliot near Gratiot. One of the oldest if not the oldest operating firehouse in Detroit presently, and looking good! 2005 photo.

1930
A couple photos also from 2005 of Engine 27 and Ladder 8 over on Junction south of Vernor. Another fine looking company.

1931
Closeup of the doors and nameplates.

1932
A couple photos from earlier today of Engine 59 and Battalion 11 (?) on Curtis at Fenmore just east of the Southfield Freeway. Sorry the sun wasn't out, I'll have to do better next time!

1933
Closeup of the engine in the house and the tower.

[redfordsinner]

Try www.detroitfirefighters.com (http://www.detroitfirefighters.com)

The Pheonix site is cool but just wondering why detroitfirefighters.net isn't working right and if anyone else is having the same troubles. Thanks

[MADDOG]

Detroitfirefighters.net is temporally down, I am working on getting it back up the web hosting company went out of business. I am working on getting it back up and running. It WILL be back as soon as possible.

[DetroitTeacher]

Does anyone know when Field Day is this year? I know it's at Ford Field...just don't know when. I asked dad and he just shrugged...he should read his FF magazine a bit better!

[kathy2trips]

Oh, it's back! I love this thread.

BTW: Happy Father's Day, all you dads out there!

[TONY BOX 42]

Sorry, "TEACH". My fault for not posting. Sunday July 19th.
11:00 till 15:00 . Many family activities planned. This is going to be
a good one !

[Philbo]

You can still monitor the D.F.D. Go to Scan America. Keep up the good work MADDOG. You're site is great! :D

[DetroitTeacher]

Tony: If you guys need help with setup and whatnot or need help in any way, let me know.

[Dfd]

Hey DT, are the firebrat Tshirts a possibility?

[DetroitTeacher]

Arnie was supposed to handle those. I gave him the print of the design. I haven't heard anything.

[M CD M]

I drove by Old Engine 48, The engine 32 on Jefferson by waterworks park, and the one off of Kercheval, on Crane and Brinket.

[Rocko]

Is Engine 10/Ladder 4 on Vinewood just north of Michigan still in operation? I just discovered this the other day and it looked to be a pretty good shape, but I just drove by quickly and didn't get a chance to look it over well.

[TONY BOX 42]

E. Co. 10 is in service.L.Co. 4 is out of service. Very well maintained house.

[DetroitTeacher]

The 10-4 was dad's all-time favorite house! He always said the 10-4 had the best cooks...even when he was stationed at other houses as Chief, he always found his way back to the 10-4 for meals.

[Dfd]

Thanks for the pictures. It's always nice to get the new ones. DT I'm retiring in a month, I think I'll loose wieght, We have some good cooks at our station!

[redfordsinner]

Sorry, "TEACH". My fault for not posting. Sunday July 19th.
11:00 till 15:00 . Many family activities planned. This is going to be
a good one !

Hey Tony, is the Field Day event open to the public and if so do we need to buy tickets?

[Rocko]

Heyyyy, is that middle photo of M CD M's the one that burned earlier this year? (Engine 16?) Has anyone heard anything of the future of that firehouse? Even if the department no longer wishes to keep it open, it would be cool if it could be turned into a residence or something (and the fire resources moved to another company).

Kind of like old Engine 48.... which by the way is very depressing that it too caught on fire recently (Bayside near Sanders). Anyone know the status of this building? Wrecking ball? Rebuilding? Thanks for those photos, M CD M.

[TONY BOX 42]

Redfordsinner , the public is welcome. No charge.Come and enjoy.
Rocko: E.16 is the Fire Boat. The quarters in the photo is E.26 / L.14 .
E.26 is out of service. L.14 has moved in with E.38.
Plans are to repair the quarters. E.48's old quarters is
privately owned. My GUESS is wrecking ball.

[Rocko]

Tony-

Appreciate your patience as I can't seem to keep the numbers straight in my head! I should know E. 16 is the Curtis Randolph as I also work on the water. Thanks for the reminder that the company caught afire was E. 26. Glad to hear the old firehouse is to be saved and repaired, and returned to service.

I knew old E. 48 was privately owned, over the past few years, while the neighboring homes have wasted away and were demolished, old E. 48 was kept up quite well and stood as a sentinel on the corner or Bayside near Sanders. It's disheartening to see what has become of it following its own fire.

I have some recent photos of E. 12 on W. Lafayette I need to post here, and am planning to get some of E. 10/L. 4 some day here soon to post.

M CD M, I forgot to say thanks for posting your photos, as well. I always enjoy seeing other's photographic work of buildings around the city on this site!

[TONY BOX 42]

Rocko, for all the years I have been doing this I can't keep west side
truck companies straight. I always make a mistake. When you take
photos of an engine house go in and introduce your self. Bet you
get a cup of coffee.If the right F.E.O. is working he may even pull
out the rig for you.A tip, Saturday mornings are a good time.
Rigs are out side while the floor is scrubed.

[DetroitTeacher]

Tony: All of the Field Days I have been to required armbands to eat and drink free (union members and their families). Are they doing away with that? Are they going back to the traditional weenie roast, as opposed to the horrid food that was catered ala the Zoo? I remember way back when it was potluck! If it's at Ford Field, how is parking going to work? Will the garage be open/free or is it 20 bucks to park?

[Meddle]

I've just been catching bits and pieces of the changes over the years, but have missed a lot. Heard something about renovations at Eng 5; what did they do? More than new doors? Did 48 move? Still using a special rig, or is there a truck down there now also?

When I left the area, they have just pulled out the registers and gongs and installed computers and printers. Some rigs had MDTs, but not all. Radio had changed though; they weren't dispatching by radio. The only traffic was after they were on the way.

[TONY BOX 42]

Detroit Teacher: Field Day and all activities will be free and open to
everyone. Food for the public will be from the
Ford Field concessions, at there prices.
Fund members will get same food at a reduced
price( Fund will subsidize ). Parking will be $4.00
Garage will be open.There are so many
activities planned . A real family fun day.
A rumor going around that TV 2 will televise.
Ron Savage as M.C. Volunteers will be
needed on Friday the 17th. for set up.

[DetroitTeacher]

Tony: I'll be happy to help set up...just let me know when (time) and where (entrance?).

[TONY BOX 42]

Meddle: A lot to cover. You are giving the old man a
work out.E.5,L.20,S.2 and Medic 6 under went
major renovations.Total new station inside.E.48
moved to new quarters in 1980.The Seagrave
Quad was replaced by a Sutphen mini tower.
A Pierce Quint is the current rig. Sadly
the Gamwell system is gone. Dispatch and
911 have been combined in one building.
A new computer system is in operation.
M.D.T. have been replaced by M.O.T.
Raido is now 800 mhz. trunked.All
runs are dipatched by C.A.D. and raido.

[TONY BOX 42]

O.K. DETROIT TEACHER. When the plans are firm I will
post. THANKS

[Meddle]

E.48 moved to new quarters in 1980.

I should remember that, but I don't. I heard about the 800 Mhz trunking system. Statewide or something?

I'm guessing they don't even reference boxes anymore? (Box Alarm, Box XXXX, Companies responding ...... ) Probably not, but I've heard of some cities maintaing the numbering system even though the boxes are long gone.

[Meddle]

Rocko, for all the years I have been doing this I can't keep west side
truck companies straight. I always make a mistake.


I remember most of the northwest side trucks (before the changes), southwest gets me though. I only remember a few of those. Never really knew the eastside very well.


Anybody remember Usher Oil? Midwest Paper? Vogue Carpet?

[birwood]

Usher Oil, next door to Restrick Lumber, Wyoming & Lyndon, I grew up 3 blocks from there, I remember the nite it burned, it started about dinner time 6PM cause my brother and I just finished or paper route, I think part of it spread to the lumber yard, close to Halloween, in 1962 or 63.

Midwest paper, early 70's

How about these,
Ditzler Paint at W. Chicago & Oakman, early 60's,
Grace Harbor Lumber, Chicago & Hubbel, may 1957
The old Michigan Central Depot, June 1966, Engine 8 was totaled (burned)
Felician Sisters Academy, November 1969
Topinkas, 7 & Telegraph, January 1972

[Meddle]

I remember Topinka's. Not the others.

Usher Oil, Joy & Rosemont, Box 460, about 15:30 or so. Went from the Box to 4th in about 20 minutes, 5th shortly thereafter.

You may have been thinking of Nelson Chemical.

[TONY BOX 42]

I hate to admit it, I remember all of those fires.
Usher Oil was March of '75.
Ditzler was August of '64.

[birwood]

My mistake, the fire on Wyoming south of Lyndon at the railroad in the 60's was D & W Oil and not Usher Oil.

Meddle...you are correct on Usher Oil.

[jjcortese]

I noticed on some of the pictures pages on the photographers sites, some of the Firefighters are wearing orange gloves. I am assuming these are for salvage, overhaul and take-up purposes... just curious as to what kind they are.

Thanks,

Jeff Cortese

[M CD M]

I've been trying to get to all of the in service and not firehouses in Detroit to get photo's of the ones with sirens on them.
When did the crane and brinket house suffer the fire?
The siren on it is not even a year old. And I would hope that it's not out of service as well. I'm sure that the majority of the folks living in detroit don't have weather radios, and have been without working sirens for several years( every fire house i've been at and asked about the older sirens, I've been told that they haven't been used in a long time) I'm guessing when they made the switch to 800Mhz is when they abandoned the old system. It would be a waste to have a new siren not be used. So i'm wondering if only part of the house was damaged and the hose tower if in good shape?
As an example, there has been a siren on top of the Cadillac-Sherton Hotel downtown. And was told it was installed in the 1980's but the building had no power for it.
I think i've gotten half of the firehouse photographed so far.
I need to give Mr. Lancaster a call again. Last time I was at HQ, he wasn't in.

[Rocko]

Here are some photos from last week of old Ladder 12, on W. Lafayette near 14th Street. Though the inscription over the service door reads Ladder 12, the number on the small door to the right is 8. I thought 8 was now in the new Southwest Public Safety Center on Fort? Which company is currently stationed here?

2219

2220

[TONY BOX 42]

Rocko: E.Co.8 moved into L.Co.12 quarters.
E.Co.27,L.Co8 and Ch.7 run from
the Southwest Station.

[Meddle]

M CD M, you're referring to the roof mounted Civil warning sirens? I've seen a few pics of the newer style units, but they don't even come close to the old Chrysler/Detroit Diesel units of the 50's and 60's. Those could be heard for several miles. I can remember the monthly tests when I could hear at least 4 of them cycling and sometimes 5 if the weather was clear enough.

[ridgeabilly]

I've been photographing as many as I can find-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/justbeamensch/sets/72157604068068111/

[Ray1936]

Ditzler color was a fire and massive explosion, probably a BLEVE. I was at home on Lindsay and Pembroke and heard the explosion. That's gotta be ten miles as the crow flies. Took out a lot of windows from the Grand River/Oakman shopping area.

[M CD M]

M CD M, you're referring to the roof mounted Civil warning sirens? I've seen a few pics of the newer style units, but they don't even come close to the old Chrysler/Detroit Diesel units of the 50's and 60's. Those could be heard for several miles. I can remember the monthly tests when I could hear at least 4 of them cycling and sometimes 5 if the weather was clear enough.

Yes, I'm referring to the yellow, and grey sirens from the late 1950's-1980's.
The Chrysler sirens were put in around 1952, with the smaller ones being blended into the system in 1956. I own the smaller yellow siren that was in service on Engine 57 on Burt rd. The old ones started to get replaced only a few years ago. Mainly the ones on the fire stations. Many of them are still seen on schools and buildings around Detroit.
It appears for every one chrysler siren, they put approx 6 smaller electric sirens.
Detroit had 20 Chrysler sirens, then had 41 electric sirens, now I have found only about 1/2 have been replaced with the newer white color sirens

[Meddle]

The small round grey/white Federal units in use today around the country are pretty much useless beyond a mile. On a good clear day, I can hear one about 3 miles away if I'm outside.

When they cranked up the big Chrysler units like the one on 53's quarters, there was no doubt about hearing them. They'd rattle the walls. Ten minutes after they shut down you could still hear them winding down. They were like a 'Q' on mega-steroids.

[Rocko]

Here are a couple photos from recent days: Fireboat Curtis Randolph rendezvous with the Engine from Company 8 at the old Coast Guard dock between Stroh River Place and Chene Park to do some drills prior to the APBA Gold Cup races.
2261

2262

Next are a few shots I took earlier this evening of Engine Co. 10/old Ladder Co. 4 on Vinewood and W. Grand. The first photo shows the firehouse in relation to two classic "pineapple" streetlights still standing vigil on the corner. The other two are closer views of this unique firehouse. I was also hoping to get a couple photos of Engine Co. 1 behind the Fox, but Tigers traffic put the kabosh on that. Tony Box, thanks again for your continuing posts with information and education for those of us who are interested and trying to learn about the different firehouses and companies.
2263

2264

2265

[Dfd]

Cortese
A long time ago we used "Red Ball" gloves that were cloth gloves coated with orange rubber or plastic. They would get stiff and wouldn't grip that well after a while. I don't miss them.

[redfordsinner]

Redfordsinner , the public is welcome. No charge.Come and enjoy.
Rocko: E.16 is the Fire Boat. The quarters in the photo is E.26 / L.14 .
E.26 is out of service. L.14 has moved in with E.38.
Plans are to repair the quarters. E.48's old quarters is
privately owned. My GUESS is wrecking ball.

Looking forward to running into a few of you at the field day. I'll be the tall bald guy with all the tattoos. Is box 42 doing anything special here? I'd like to get more info on joining. Thanks

[DetroitTeacher]

I liked Field Day at the Zoo much better than Ford Field. It was ok for the lil ones but they should have had refreshments set up closer to the field (we never did find them)...it was a much more relaxed atmosphere, which made for better mingling, at the Zoo

[Meddle]

Ford Field? Zoo?

I remember the days when it was at Tiger Stadium.

[DetroitTeacher]

I remember way back when it was at Camp Dearborn...THAT was really nice. Everyone brought food, the FFs BBQd, we had games (usually the dads against the kids...kids always won), the kids got together and tried their hand at "the hose", and we were free to roam about. That was way back when we pretty much all lived in the same neighborhoods and went to the same schools. Everyone knew everyone...

[Dfd]

Hey DT, pass this on to your dad.
http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/C2/20090731/NEWS/907310324/
Thur. was my last day on the job.

[TONY BOX 42]

D.F.D. Congradulations !! Enjoy your retirment. How can you give up that
beautiful Seagrave ? Make sure the "Youngster " who takes your spot
realizes what a great rig he is getting.
Detroitteacher : Did Dad spilt with you , or keep it all to himself?

[DetroitTeacher]

DFD: Congrats on the retirement. Have fun fishing :)

Tony: Dad gave me 50 bucks! I tried to get Jon to give it all to me and I'd give it to dad but no such luck :D. He was pretty shocked he won...he never wins anything.

[Dfd]

Thanks DT and Tony

Hey Tony, that's a 93 Seagrave with 145,000 miles. When it rains, we(they) have to cover the radios and computer with towels.

[jjcortese]

My Grandfather, Tony Cortese

2588

2589

2590

[TONY BOX 42]

J.J. Good photos of your Grandfather and some classic rigs.
Second photo is an Ahrens Fox with a Roto Ray.
Third photo is the Boat Tender.
DFD: That Seagrave ain't even broke in yet.
" SEAGRAVE , Worlds Finest Fire Apparatus "
So, now that you are retired and fishing, How big was
that last one that got away?
Redfordsinner: I was able to read your message.Check the BOX 42
web site for date,time and location
Ray : Boiling Expanding Liquid Vapor Explosion.Too
complicated for me. I defer to the expert, Birwood.
Detroitteacher: Ford Motor, Ford Field ,Detroit Lions bent over backwards
for the Fund. They could not bend the rules with the
food venders. Food is not allowed on the Field.
Did you come down on the Field ?
That 's where we all were.

[zitro]

My Grandfather, Tony Cortese

2588

2589

2590


JJ was the last picture taken in front of his house? I remember when my dad would do the occasional swing by the house with his rig it was always a good attention getter in the neighboorhood. All the kids would really get a kick out of it

[DetroitTeacher]

Tony: I was on the field. It was great for the lil ones (except the bathrooms were way up yonder and when a wee one has to go, that's a LONG way up!). I did like all the activities for the kids, though. Just wish there were chairs and such on the field to sit down and chit chat. That's what I liked about the zoo, could eat and chat, watch the clowns...overall, it was a nice day but I just much prefered the zoo.

[TONY BOX 42]

I have to agree with you. It was a long trip from the field to the bathrooms and consessions.
Maybe we can work on a solution for next year.

[Dfd]

Tony, I went fishing and the little ones wouldn't even steal the bait! I'm calling that place the dead sea.

[Dfd]

DT (and everyone), did you see this?:
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/090812_detroit_fire_boat

[DetroitTeacher]

That is sad news about the fireboat. Dad was on the boat for a bit. Funny story about the boat and my son...

My son and his class (3rd grade or so) were on a field trip and they saw the fireboat in the water (the field trip had nothing to do with the boat or the fire dept). My son proudly announced that the boat was his grandpa's boat (my dad had taken my son to the boat many times). The teacher told him not to tell "stories" and chastized him. My son was upset that the teacher didn't believe him. I talked to her and told her that yes, that was my dad's boat when he was on duty. She was ashamed she didn't believe my son and apologized. My dad then went, in uniform, to my son's school and was a guest speaker for the class. He told them all about the fireboat (and about being a fireman) and how important it is. The kids all wrote thank you letters to my dad.

I'll be sad to see the boat go...

[Buy American]

It's very sad, this boat is essential on the Detroit River. It's even sadder when Bing is giving all his cronies hefty pay raises and turning around and asking for pay and benefit concessions. In my opinion, Bing is just another thug in a different suit.

[Rocko]

I too feel that it would be a mistake to allow the fireboat to cease operation so early this year. The boat is on hand for the hydroplane and Red Bull air races, and also took place in the search for a person in the water this past weekend. However, when the last time was they responded and then assisted with the put-out of a real fire is not something I know. Does the city of Windsor have some kind of agreement with Detroit, since the fireboat can respond to emergencies on the Canadian side of the river, and has no fireboat of its own?

Still, all this said, I wonder how good of a use of the city's money this is.... I personally witnessed them cruising up and down the river several times this weekend, shooting their hoses off at nothing in particular and buring fuel. Now, I think it looks great when they're out there with the hoses going, but if the tax payers dime is paying for it.... well?

[cosine]

I have spent the better part of my summer weekends photographing all of the operating firehouses in the City of Detroit. The project was completed last weekend, and the photos are assembled in a set on flickr.com. The photos are in chronological order of when the firestation was built. I'm still working on the narratives for each photo, but thought you would enjoy seeing them now. Go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/41247026@N04/sets/

[Buy American]

I have spent the better part of my summer weekends photographing all of the operating firehouses in the City of Detroit. The project was completed last weekend, and the photos are assembled in a set on flickr.com. The photos are in chronological order of when the firestation was built. I'm still working on the narratives for each photo, but thought you would enjoy seeing them now. Go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/41247026@N04/sets/

Great pictures. Thanks for posting them.

[DetroitTeacher]

Cosine: Great photos! Thanks for sharing. The poor 10-4 looks so sad with Ladder 4 missing! Brought back some great memories of going to work with dad to pick up his check/hang out/eat/laugh. While his all time fav was the 10-4 (they had the best cooks, so says dad), he was also at Ladder 22 (for many years) and Joy and Southfield (I can't recall which house it is), among others.

[TONY BOX 42]

Dfd : Fatten them up for next time.
DetroitTeacher: Great story ! I will add that to my collection.
Joy Rd. & Ashton, E.55,L27,Ch.2 and Medic 2
Cosine: Good set of photos.You put a lot of time into them.
Everybody: We go through this every year with the boat. Hopefully money will become
available. The boat is an asset for the entire river front, both sides.
A few years back the boat put out the fire at the vacant river front Holiday
Inn in Windsor. The boat has also been used to keep Cobo open
when there is trouble with the fire pumps.The boat was used at the Rouge
after the exploson and fire.If any of you remember the fire on Jefferson in
Trenton , the boat and the Tender supplied an unlimited water supply when the
mains could no longer meet the demand.

[DetroitTeacher]

Thanks Tony! Dad was Chief 2 for a long time...

[cosine]

I forgot to mention in my initial post that the most fun part of taking photographs of the fire stations was doing them all by bicycle. I certainly learned a boatload of information about the city's variety of neighborhoods.

[redfordsinner]

michigan firehouse museum fire truck muster 2009
saturday, august 29 from 10 to 3 near the museum in riverside park, ypsilanti

[redfordsinner]

Sorry, heres the link. Should be a good time as long as the weather cooperates.

http://www.michiganfirehousemuseum.org/special.htm

[cosine]

I have added a set of photos to my previous link to flickr which shows all of the out-of-service fire stations that I could find in Detroit this summer. Some are being used for other purposes (e.g., a restaurant, law office, etc.) but several are vacant and awaiting vandals. Here is the link again: http://www.flickr.com/photos/41247026@N04/

[TONY BOX 42]

Again, good photos. I like the fact that you included dedication plaques and last alarm tributes.
You did your home work on dates and relocations. E.11 (Gratiot and Grandy ) has been restored. BOX 42 will have a meeting there on Saturday September 19.Open invite to any one
interested .

[Ray1936]

Nice album, Cosine. Sad but nice.

[DetroitZack]

Great photos, cosine! It is too bad that so many sit vacant. I've always liked that one in Corktown. Also, been wanting to get out and take pictures of the abandoned one on Michigan Ave. (Engine 22)

[DetroitTeacher]

Just wanted to let everyone know that dad is in the ICU awaiting a pacemaker. They had to code him last night while in ER. He's in Sanai in White Lake (I think that is the city). I'm not sure if they are going to transfer him to Beaumont or not. When I get news, I'll post it here. Please keep him in your prayers.

[TONY BOX 42]

Thanks for passing the word on your Dad. I hadn't heard. GOOD LUCK !!

[DetroitTeacher]

I just heard that dad is getting an internal defibrilator on Tuesday and should be at home on Wednesday. He looks better than he has in a while. I guess the heart attack (yes, he had another one) had been brewing for some time.

[Dfd]

DT, just got on after a few weeks. How's your dad?

[DetroitTeacher]

Dad is at home and doing great! He's back at work and causing trouble, as usual.

[Detroitgayhistoryguy]

I think this one is on Grand River?

[cosine]

No. That's Engine 22 on Michigan, just west of Junction. The unit was disbanded many years ago.

[Detroitgayhistoryguy]

ok, I forgot where I took the picture. :confused: It really looks like a cool building. Too bad about the wild paint job.

[TONY BOX 42]

"TEACH", Glad to hear Dad is back agrivating Joe.
RAY, The invasion starts today. I hope you have enough wheel chairs,walkers and
defribalaters.
D.G.H., E.22 closed in 1983. Became a restaurant, then a tire shop.

[M CD M]

Is Engine 5 at 433 W Alexandrine St still in service, or even still there?

[jackie5275]

No. That's Engine 22 on Michigan, just west of Junction. The unit was disbanded many years ago.
As you can kind of see, it was a short lived Mexican restaurant in the early 90s.

[TONY BOX 42]

Is Engine 5 at 433 W Alexandrine St still in service, or even still there?
"The Big House ", under went extensive renovation about twelve years ago.
E.5,L.20,Sq.2 and Medic 6 keep things jumping.

[M CD M]

I drove by there today and took a few photo's, I also went by Engine 53, 30, 49, 21, 52, 51, and a few others. I'll post pic's soon.

[M CD M]

Here's the links to the photo's I took today.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/3956894000/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/3956113547/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/3956113197/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/3956890738/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/3956888540/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/3956886154/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/3956884690/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/3956883830/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/3956884066/

[Cincinnati_Kid]

Man, I'd love to see the inside of a old firehouse, that was converted to a residence. You must be able to get one of those kinda cheap, since I've seen quite a few on here.

[cosine]

The only old firehouse that is currently a residence is Engine 35, at the corner of Beaubien and Mt. Vernon, which is about 8-10 blocks north of East Grand Blvd. Engine 5 in the Eastern Market is a restaurant. Ladder 14 on Jefferson at Pennsylvania is an office for Pewabic Pottery, I believe. Engine 8, at Bagley and Sixth, is an office building occupied by a couple of law firms. Engine 2, Larned and St. Antoine, appears to be under construction, but you can't tell what it will become yet. The rest appear to be abandoned or mothballed.

[TONY BOX 42]

Slight correction. Old L.5 is the restaurant. E.5 will celebrate it's Centenial on Saturday.
Open house. Good time to visit . I was not aware old E.2 was being renovated. Last I
knew it was a law office.I wiil check and report back.

[TONY BOX 42]

M CD M , How did E.52 get into that mix ? I can never see enough engine house photos.
Cin. Kid. I have always maintained an Engine house for a residence is a money burner.
If an old Engine house could be used as a residence/ business to generate
revenue O.K. Theese caverns are expensive to heat.

[M CD M]

All those firehouses except the one on jefferson by waterworks park have or had Warning sirens on them.
Engine, 44,53, 34, 50, 30, 40, 49, 21, 47, 52, 26, 42, 58, 51, 54, 57, 55, 48, Training on Warren/lawton, and apparturus repair have/had sirens on them

[Meddle]

Engine 5 in the Eastern Market is a restaurant.

Engine 6; Russell and Erskine, attached to the Apparatus Division

Engine 5, Squad 2, Ladder ? ; Cass & Alexandrine


I thought Engine 59/Chief 11 (later Chief 4) had a siren too, although it may have been a different style.

[cosine]

Tony--my bad. I get so excited about firehouses I forget whether its "engine" or "ladder" sometimes. It's Ladder 5 on Russell...probably because in 1883 all we had were horse drawn wagons with ladders and there were no engines. Are you going to the annual breakfast ceremony at Cobo Hall this year to honor the DFD?

[TONY BOX 42]

Cosine, Before the old man turns in, a little history lesson. First off I went by E.2 tonight.
You are correct. Work is being done on the interior. I was pleasently surprised
to see the tiles on the apparatus floor were in tact as was all of the original wood paneling. The Larned side entrance is now a single door with stone siding on the second door.
I think one of the Packard squads ran out of that door. Not sure of that.L.20 runs
with E.5. See post#117. Now for your history lesson. Engine companies were two
piece. A steamer and a hose wagon.If you ever get a chance to see the complete
photo of the last run of the horses the hose wagon is close behind.. Horse drawn ladders were long and narrow and ran alone.E.6 started at High Street ( Vernor) and Russell.
Moved to High Street Hastings.South end of the market.L.5 was at Russell and Calhoun(Erskine). North end of the market.The shops were behind L.5.The classic photo of
the spare Arhens Foxs' was taken there. In1956 the new shops were built. The Russell side is a
four bay house. E.6,L.5 . moved in together .Ch.3 and Sq. 2 ran there for a time. The Civil Defense rig a Hose Wagon and a Foam rig also ran there. E.6 and L.5 have been out of service for some time. HAZ MAT 1 and 2 the Decon Rig and L.1 run there now . L.1 is out of service on a daily basis, manpower.Medic 8 also runs there.Thanks to Clarence Woodard, Matt Lee ,Dan Jasina and Richard Lancaster for allowing me to steal all of there hard work and research to make it look like I know what I am talking about. How do you spell plagiarism ?
I will not make Breakfast With A Firefighter this year.My loss.

[Rocko]

Somehow I had not previously made the connection that when the SW Public Safety Center opened on Fort Street, the enginehouse on Junction near Holy Redeemer closed up. I took a spin by the old 27/8 house today on Junction, shame to see it's already been hit by graffiti and the weeds are getting pretty tall. Anyone want to grab a can of red paint and paint over the graffiti on the front bay doors? It's really too bad, as another old firehouse is slowly biting the dust.

[Dfd]

Hi Everyone.
I finally got a program to transfer my old videos into the computer. I transfered some Detroit stuff from a visit there in 1999. Here are the youtube links. More to come.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYfP7Bv20S0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egFVG-cY1MU

[Dfd]

Here is FD Headquarters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDOJ_HhVTGw

[Dfd]

Here is Eng 5 and Ladder 20 responding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqncKV2GSsY

[Lansingfire]

Ah yes the old Bread truck squads in the Eng 23 video.

[Meddle]

I haven't watched the video, are you talking about the GMCs? Remember the Gerstenschlagers?

[TONY BOX 42]

I haven't watched the video. The original "Pie Wagon " or "Bread Trucks" were Chevy Boyertons.Next batch were Chevy Utilimasters.The" Gerts" were on G.M.C. , Ford and Dodge chassis.From Matt Lees' apparatus history.

[TONY BOX 42]

Rocko: E.27's quarters was a real old time nieghborhood fire house.The SWPSC reminds me of a quick change oil shop.

[Meddle]

What is this '30 minute rehab' crap after they clear a run? When did they become entitled to go out of service and goof around? You get another run, you take another run. You don't like it, go to work for Burger King.

I can remember many times when companies would go from run to run to run all night long.

[7051]

Unfortunately, going from run to run all those years only helped the city continue to cut our manpower and shorten your life and retirement years. They might as well cut us down as the fires still go out and we just keep working harder and harder. Hell, why not cut us to 500 from the current 1,100, or the 1,350 we had 5 years ago, or the 1,850 you had years ago when you went from "run to run"!

Take a look at what other big cities fd's have done over the last 30 years. Many have been doing some kind of "rehab" after fires and therefore, made it much harder for their city administrators to cut numbers. Hell, FDNY "taps out" after after a fire in a shift - they go off duty and an OT is created!! In fact, you are looked down upon there if you don't go off after a fire as you are cutting into job security and OT. And they still have the same 11,500 guys they had back in the early seventies!
Time and time again we have other big city firefighters here visiting and they are amazed at the work load we do per person. They say they admire us, but sometimes I think they think we are a bunch of idiots for busting our ass as much as we do and consequently, the incredibly high injury rate we have (75% of the time for a vacant piece of garbage).

[7051]

In addition, the law provides for a rehab period after a fire. A period that in many big cities equals an hour or more (time for a shower and a quick rehydration). Our little 15 or 30 minutes is comparitively still a joke as far as other big city fd's are concerned.

[Meddle]

They used to do that on scene before going back in service. Take a short break, stick your head under a red line, take a few gulps and you're ready to go.

[Ray1936]

Here is FD Headquarters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDOJ_HhVTGw

What the.......???? You mean FD HQ doesn't even house one lousy engine any more? What is the building used for?

[Meddle]

They pulled the rigs out of there 15 years ago or so. The apparatus bay is an indoor parking lot for the muckety-mucks. The upper floors are offices for Administration, Fire Marshals, Arson, etc.

[Meddle]

It really sounds like the lawyers and bureaucrats have been too involved. I've never heard any department say things like "Primary search has been completed" when clearing a scene.

[Detroit Signal]

Found some pics while rummaging through my archives and thought I'd share

1. Fire on Vinewood near the Boulevard during summer of 2008
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/9489/picture028b.jpg

2. Day after Piquette Studebaker fire
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/7937/picture288.jpg

3. Engine 23 Squad 3 in 2008
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/7567/egrandmoran608.jpg

4. Pair of 1930's GE Novaluxes that disappeared (windstorm/city removal, etc??) during 2007 in front of E23/S3. They were the oldest signals left in service within the city limits until they disappeared along with one of the overhead signals.
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/9721/egrandmoranf.jpg

[redfordsinner]

Hello everybody, just wondering if anyone would be interested in getting a group together to go fire buffing in Detroit the week of Halloween? I'm still a little green when it comes to buffing out of eng. 54/55/57's area and would like to get some good footage and pics. Anybody???

Kevin

[Meddle]

3 house fires tonight (so far) close to each other, one Nottingham & Frankfort, one at Somerset & Frankfort and one at Somerset & Cornwall.

04:55 Back to another one at Nottingham & Frankfort.



I thought they solved this type of problem around the end of October?

05:31 Another one at Beaconsfield & Bremen.

05:54 Believe it or not, one more at Beaconsfield & Windsor, called in by Ch 6 at the previous one. Turns out to be 2 dwellings.

06:15 Next up, Barham & Waveny, called in by Sq 6.

06:26 One more at Lakepointe & Waveny, called in by Sq3 from Barham

06:33 Another at Beaconsfield & Mack

[Meddle]

And it continues. Another one at Balfour & Munich.

I think I missed a couple too; the web scanner link was acting flaky and disconnecting.

[Buy American]

The mindset that some people have is handed down from generation to generation. Their relatives all set fires so now it's their turn. This all really came to a head in 1984 when just before Halloween about 800 fires were set by the very people who lived in Detroit. It made huge headlines and has been perpetuated ever since. I could never figure out why someone wants to burn the very place they live in.

Now, however, the politicians know how to "count" the fires. Rubbish fires, car fires, dumpster fires and some others are not reported in the "count". Therefore, the numbers have gone down but in reality have not.

The Detroit Firefighters have a thankless job as well. The City certainly doesn't help them by providing proper equipment. When a Detroit firefighter has to buy his own batteries for his work flashlight because the City won't provide them, that's bad. Then, the City asks them to go out every day and night and risk their lives over fires that have been purposely set...something is wrong with this picture.

I say, if the house is abandoned, let it burn. If the building is abandoned, let it burn. Actually, it's a favor to the City to get rid of these eyesores and dangerous places and it keeps our firefighters safe.

[jcole]

I say, if the house is abandoned, let it burn. If the building is abandoned, let it burn. Actually, it's a favor to the City to get rid of these eyesores and dangerous places and it keeps our firefighters safe.
The problem with allowing abandoned buildings to burn is the inhabited buildings in proximity. You would still have to have firefighters on site to control the burn so it wouldn't pass to any inhabited place. You also don't want the fire to pass to the wooded phone and electrical poles and take out power to the area.

[Buy American]

The problem with allowing abandoned buildings to burn is the inhabited buildings in proximity. You would still have to have firefighters on site to control the burn so it wouldn't pass to any inhabited place. You also don't want the fire to pass to the wooded phone and electrical poles and take out power to the area.

Thank you for pointing those problems out, however, I understand the problems that could occur in letting abandoned buildings and homes burn. I wasn't proposing to "just let them burn" without proper supervision...my concern is sending in firefighters to fight the fire from within when a home or building has been abandoned and the floors, stairways, and ceilings are compromised because of lack of care and has a rotten foundation. The potential for a firefighter falling through a floor, falling down stairways with missing stairs or having a ceiling fall in on them is very high in those types of dwellings.

[jcole]

I don't know the legalities here, but if the city doesn't hold title to a property and it shows on the books as being owned by someone even though abandoned, what would the repercussions be in just letting it burn down? I know that there could be repercussions for whomever owns it, too, for walking away but I'm just concerned if the owners could sue. I think that one of the reason a lot of the abandoned houses can't be torn down. They're not owned by the city.
Also, abandoned buildings are considered an attractive nuisance where you may have children who went inside to smoke or drink, or there may be homeless living in the building.

[M CD M]

I thought they mostly did a "Surround and Drown" when it came to vacant home & buildings?

[7051]

http://www.ci.flint.mi.us/fire/FFD%20Injuries%20at%20Vacant%20Structure%20Fires.p df

http://www.ci.flint.mi.us/fire/FFD%20Abandoned%20Building%20Policy.pdf


The city of Flint had a study done in 2007 and a policy put in place for vacant building firefighting. The city was interested in this as a hell of a lot of money is wasted on injuries and lost work time from vacant building firefighting. Most big cities have been doing the above for the last 10-15 years. In Detroit, we will probably do this in another 15 years as we are always 15-20 years behind the times. Remember, Detroit city government(and much of the surrounding municipalities) are stuck in the 1950's/60's when it comes to progressive thinking and problem solving. The above mentioned hidden/long term costs are not even on any Detroit politician or department administrator's mind. They think the rest of the world and country operates like we do.

We have been a bit more careful the last 5-7 years when it comes to vacant/previously burned/structurally unsound vacants when there are no exposures (no adjacent buildings) and they are "going throughout" (fire on all floors).

The Flint study dispels the legal myths due to the legal precedent of municipal indemnity already set (THE CITY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE). It also shows how 98% of vacant buildings are never repaired after a fire(even in good times) and how 99% of vacants have no one in them (not even bums/squatters).

The #1 reason we do aggresive interior attacks on vacants is so that we can be done in 45-60mins. instead of a 3 hour ordeal. This is what is required on the average 2,500 sq. ft. single/2 family dwelling common in the central and near west side of the city when fire is allowed to overtake a dwelling, enter the attic, and collapse the roof and roof rafters. Hours of water application and manual digging through the collapsed roof debris which has fallen into the top floor of the building/dwelling must take place to fully extinguish the fire.

In fact, we would easily exhaust the supply of engines/ladders/squads on almost every night if our full box alarm assignment of 3-4engines, 1 ladder, 1 manpower squad and 1 chief was kept on every fire for 3 hours. Of course, we might still have 1,850 firefighters and 95 engines/ladders/squads (1978) instead of our current 1,100 and 55-65 e/l/s.

With the limited resources the city has know, some progressive thinking is probably due. What about just leaving 1 ladder truck and 1 engine on scene with a vacant going throughout and putting the rest of the box alarm assignment back into service for the next OCCUPIED fire that comes in? A 24 hr. DPW crew of 2 assigned to the fire department with large excavator for tear down/rubble digging for hot spot extinguishment would also be nice and make alot of blocks safer instead of having a 1/2 standing burned piece of crap.

The #2 reason we are aggressive on vacants is the problem of exposure buildings (immediately adjacent) which are often times occupied and in good shape.

[reddog289]

I agree with 7051 on the DPW crew coming in after the fire. The half empty hulks of buildings around the city are eyesores and possible targets for more fires.

[Dfd]

Remember the firefighters these next few days around devil's night.

[Lowell]

Stay safe and thank you for your service!

[EMG]

For anyone who's interested in photos of the Detroit Fire Department in action, here's another site I just happened to find.

http://www.eastwoodphotography.net/

[Dfd]

Any of you firebrats or firefighters have stories, or even pictures of Thanksgiving at the firehouse?

[DetroitTeacher]

No pics but I remember plenty of Thanksgiving holidays spent without dad, but we knew it was part of his job so it was OK. I never knew anything different. Christmas mornings we couldn't wait for dad to get home (and get his first cup of java) so we could open presents. We were allowed to open stockings prior to dad's arrival. If dad worked on Christmas day, we did everything on Christmas Eve. Growing up in a neighborhood where dads were either DFD or DPD, we had Christmas for a few days, celebrating with those on opposite shifts! It was a kid's dream! We never quite figured out how Santa knew whose dad was working when...:o

[Rocko]

Just got word that the old Firehouse at E. Davison at the corner of Goddard is on a list to be demoed in the not so distant future. I'm not sure the history of this firehouse nor the companies that served there over the years...

Also on the list, unrelated though interesting, is the old White Tower burger joint on Woodward just north of McNicholls. Our architectural history is slowly slipping away before our eyes....

[M CD M]

Is the burger joint in the way of that gigantic church that's going up on the northeast corner?

[TONY BOX 42]

E.43 has a short history.Opened in 1921. Closed in 1983.

[M CD M]

Anyone know when the apparatus division starts and stops working during the week?

[M CD M]

I drove by this old station today.
I think someone else has a photo of it, but I don't remember the engine no.
Is it still a church? or is it a home or empty now?

[MikeM]

Engine 40
Ladder 17

[cosine]

MikeM is correct. The station is at Rosa Parks and LaBelle, about 5 blocks north of Davison. Built in 1919. The units (Engine 40, Ladder 17) moved to Dexter and Ewald Circle in 1980, which is near Oakman and Livernois.

[TONY BOX 42]

MikeM,cosine, Sq.5 would be offended that you ignored them.They didn't locate to
12th. until 1952. M CD M the shop has normal busness hours 8 to 5. Emergency repairman is on duty 24/7.

[Dfd]

I don't know if this has been asked before, but do the DFD firehouses get decorated for Christmas?

[M CD M]

Last year(around this time of year) when I stopped in at engine 48, they had a X-mas tree in their eating area.

[M CD M]

Anyone been buying up the DFD photo's on *bay?
Here's a few of them that I saved from there :)
Can anyone name the locations?

[Meddle]

The top one may be Fire Headquarters based on the arched doorway behind the car. Don't know if anyone can pull up that shop number on the car and see when or where it was assigned.

The second is Engine 6, Ladder 5 at Russell & Erskine. For some reason, I seem to remember that FWD.

Can't tell on the third, but somebody might recognize it with the three story porch on the building behind.

Fourth, no way to tell where.

The last is at Headquarters, Washington & Lafayette. Looks like a light rig but I'm not sure I get the loudspeaker.

[birwood]

Meddle & M CD M, the car in the photo is 200's car and is lettered CHIEF between the 5 bugle insignia, shop No is 970.

In photo #3 is Engine 39s old quarters and the area behind it is the old Herman Kiefer Hospital and Sanitorium Complex. If you look close at the photo, there is a Chevy parked behind 39s in the parking lot which stood between the fire quarters and the hospital. Because the car appears to a 60's ish Chevy I'm going to say that is the time frame when part of the old complex is being demolished.

The last photo is the old light rig and it did have a load speaker mounted on the roof....long before the dys of 2 way radios and KQA 205

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

[DetroitTeacher]

To all the men and women on the DFD: Stay safe out there and have a Merry Christmas!!

[M CD M]

After I visited Central Maintenance today, I found this old station along the freeway.

[birwood]

Thats the quarters of Engine Co. 43, E. Davison & Goddard, disbanded and closed during the Coleman Young administration.

[M CD M]

When I drove by, the 2nd floor ceiling is in real bad shape.
Maybe after this winter, the roof may be on the floor.

[M CD M]

Here's a quick shot of engine 54. from today 1-3-10

[Fury13]

Anyone been buying up the DFD photo's on *bay?
Here's a few of them that I saved from there :)
Can anyone name the locations?

Gotta love that '62 Chrysler chief's car.

Probably had the legendary 413 V-8 under the hood.

[Hermod]

When I was attending Wayne Elementary School (Lakepointe and Courville) from 1944 to 1951, the school did not allow any students to park their bikes at school except for the safety patrol boys. There was a fire station at Lakepointe and Whittier about a block from the school. The firemen allowed the kids to park their bikes in the back yard of the station and walk the last block to the school. The station had two bays for an engine company pumper and a battalion chief sedan. Damn if I can remember the company or battalion numbers now.

[birwood]

Hemrod, where you parked your bike at Lakepoint and Whittier is the quarters of Engine Co. 58 , established December 1928 and is still in service today

[Hermod]

Hemrod, where you parked your bike at Lakepoint and Whittier is the quarters of Engine Co. 58 , established December 1928 and is still in service today

The "fifties" part of the number does ring a faint bell. Our elementary science teacher, Mr Bachman, took us on a "field trip" to the station one day. We walked up to the station and they let us crawl over the pumper. They showed us their quarters and one of them demonstrated use of the fire pole. In warm weather they always sat around in front of the station and
traded waves with the kids walking home from school.

[M CD M]

I forgot I took this one too last sunday.

[Dfd]

Great pictures! Thanks for posting them.

[Meddle]

I hate those new lollipop sirens. They just don't have any where near the punch. If they had put the one at 54's on the radio tower at #8 (background in pictue) and up higher, it would have had better coverage. The ones we have around here out in the sticks are mounted on 30-40' telephone poles and they just don't cover much area at all.

[M CD M]

It's engine 30 that has the lowest mounted. It's like mounting it on your 1 story garage. It can't be that effective, except for maybe a few blocks.
Many are not hooked to power, and the ones on the stations will be removed and pole mounted. So like the one on 54's tower, the pole mount would be lower.
So weird.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/3956113547/in/set-72157612692281836/

[birwood]

The old sirens, you could hear them miles away, but thanks to the Noise Police and FEMA they forced a change....not to mention some of those units were 40 or 50 yrs old and repair parts were getting hard to get. The Noise Police cited noise pollution, they were too loud, like they did to the old Federal Q sirens we had on the rigs, they could part the Red Sea....ie; Rush Hour Traffic 3 blocks away from an intersection... now they can only emit a certain amount of decibles. We have these rotating cone sirens were I now live, since I've retired....we can hear it loud and clear out on the lake, but in town at the CVS 6 blocks from the local fire hall, you can't hear it especially if a train is going by or the wind is blowing towards the lake.
The FEMA end part comes ,because they must we able to give a verbal warning or alert to the public as a whole of in a certain area.....if there is an incident on the John Lodge at Clairmount, then the residents in the area at 7 & Greenfield or Jefferson & St Jean doesn't need to get alarmed

[WaCoTS]

well Engine 43 is gone.
there was a bulldozer driving back & forth over its rubble today

[Detroit Signal]

Took this today at Chene and Forest E.

[Dfd]

DT, Did you hear about a fire at Cooley High School on Chalfonte today? I caught part of it on the live feed earlier.

[DetroitTeacher]

I was AT the fire at Cooley (I work there). My truck is in most of the aerial shots.

I would like to thank DFD for the quick response and the awesome job done by all. I would also like to thank the FFs for taking the time to reassure the kids and for talking with them and answering their questions. It was amazing to see so many trucks respond and the efficiency with which DFD did their jobs. Things could have gotten much worse had it not been for the quick response of all of those involved. Kudos DFD!

[M CD M]

I snagged this awesome photo from *bay.
I think it's a rescue unit. Can anyone confirm?

[Dfd]

I think you're right. Here is a link to a picture at detroitfirefighters.net. The rear doors look like the ones in your picture.

http://www.detroitfirefighters.net/images/Squad-1%2068%20Gerstenlager.JPG

Dfd

[M CD M]

Last Thursday I stopped in to central maintenance to chat with Hawk (shop welder guy). And snapped this photo.

[ridgeabilly]

16 Detroit Firehouse Photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/justbeamensch/sets/72157604068068111/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/justbeamensch/sets/72157604068068111/)

[cosine]

Here are photos I took last summer of all of the stations currently in operation. They are shown from oldest to newest.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41247026@N04/sets/72157622046521294/

[Rocko]

Anyone want to go in with me on a couple of buckets of fire engine red paint and a roller or two? I think I'm going to repaint the doors on the old Engine 27 and Ladder 8 over on Junction south of Vernor. They've been tagged quite a bit and a coat of paint may help brighten the neighborhood....at least till they get tagged again. Shame that building was left so forlornly when the companies moved to Fort Street.....awesome job Detroit, vacate with no plan for occupancy!

[cosine]

There is a picture of E 27 on this link, which is a collection of photos of all of the out-of-service fire houses in the City (E 43 has since been demolished). E 27 is the 5th picture in the series. Painting the doors of E 27 sounds like a great project, but this weekend might be a little too chilly for it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41247026@N04/sets/72157621986174095/

[Chuck_MI]

I snagged this awesome photo from *bay.
I think it's a rescue unit. Can anyone confirm?.

Interesting photo. Both of the standing men are carrying Geiger counters and are wearing "lead suits".

[ridgeabilly]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/justbeamensch/sets/72157604068068111/

[Dfd]

Thanks for all the great pictures, especially the ones of the insides of the firehouses and the garage.

[M CD M]

I stopped in today at Engine 29.
Nice guys, Checked out the truck, and the fallout shelter area in the basement.
All cleaned out. Oh well, still a nice station.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4633420029/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4634018568/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4633421903/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4633422787/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4633423691/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4634022032/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4633425491/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4633426487/

[M CD M]

I stopped in at old Engine 6/ Medic 8 where HazMat is located by apparatus repair on Russel St.
Got a few Photo's.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4640858830/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4640249089/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4640857526/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4640247803/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4640856042/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4640855310/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4640245717/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4640853846/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4640853202/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4640852494/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4640851870/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4640851136/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4640850330/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/4640849770/

[Dfd]

Thank you for those pictures! The old joker stand is great. I can just see it in it's hey day with the radio, phone, box alarm equipment. The firehouse interiors are really interesting.

[DtCtyGrl]

Doing a little genealogy research led to a major "scandal" for our family. Seems my great-grandmother divorced my great-grandfather and married Fireman Frank Fitch, in 1901. They divorced after Frank lost his job as a fire boat Captain. She then remarried my great-grandfather. Can't imagine why that was never discussed in the family ;) Found a copy of a newspaper announcement that gave us this tidbit. So, in researching Frank, I have discovered the following:
1887 Frank was with "Chauncy Hurlbut" Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 9, Larned & Riopelle. He was 29 years old, Badge #94
1890/91 Frank was with Eagle Hook and Ladder Co. No. 2
1895/98 Frank was at Chemical Fire Engine, No. 2 - Engine House, Hastings Street, between Larned and Congress, under Lieutenant C.L. Chase
1901 Fire Boat Captain

Are any of these stations still standing? Any idea how to find out more about Frank's career as a fireman? Do records still exist for that far back?

[M CD M]

Any historical information you are looking for, someone on here will chime in, and I would contact Mr. Lancaster at DFD headquarters in the Fireman Fund Office on the 2nd floor. He is the department historian, He may have some information on that person.

[Brock7]

I was recently looking for information about someone else who worked for the DFD in the time period, so I thought I'd have a look for your Frank Fitch. Here's what I could find online.

Detroit City Directory 1875 (http://books.google.com/books?id=Nk7iAAAAMAAJ&dq=editions%3AUOM39015071406238&as_brr=1&pg=PA266#v=onepage&q=Fitch&f=false)
Frank Fitch, silver plater, bds 252 Congress east
Percival B Fitch, check clerk, G W R R, h 252 Congress e

Detroit City Directory 1880 (http://books.google.com/books?id=1lriAAAAMAAJ&dq=Bringard&lr&as_brr=1&pg=PA355#v=onepage&q=Fitch&f=false)
Frank Fitch, burnisher E. Bromley, bds 266 Congress e
Percival Fitch, checker D, G H & M Ry, h 266 Congress e

Detroit city directories (http://books.google.com/books?q=editions%3AUOM39015071406238&id=1lriAAAAMAAJ&as_brr=1)
Polk's Detroit city directory (http://books.google.com/books?q=editions%3AUOM39015054468080&id=LhtNAAAAMAAJ&as_brr=1)
Johnston's Detroit city directory and advertising gazetteer of Michigan (http://books.google.com/books?q=editions%3AHARVARDHN4I7K&id=9PwCAAAAYAAJ&as_brr=1)

Annual Reports of the City of Detroit 1881 (http://books.google.com/books?id=6D1Yomo4BLQC&dq=editions%3AUOM39015020101815&as_brr=1&pg=RA5-PA97#v=snippet&q=steam%20&f=false)
There's no one named Fitch in the DFD in this report.

Annual Report of the Contoller of the City of Detroit 1885-86 (http://books.google.com/books?id=szVNAAAAMAAJ&dq=editions%3AUOM39015020101815&pg=RA2-PA114#v=onepage&q=Fitch&f=false)
Francis Fitch, age 27, badge no.215, ladderman Hook & Ladder Co. No.2-on Hastings st. btwn Larned and Congress, occupation-gold plater, residence-266 Congress e.

Annual Report of the Contoller of the City of Detroit 1886-87 (http://books.google.com/books?id=FJ-KmnMevWcC&dq=editions%3AUOM39015020101815&pg=RA4-PA117#v=onepage&q=Fitch&f=false)
Francis Fitch, age 29, badge no.95, pipeman Steam Engine Co. No.9-Larned and Riopelle, occupation-gold plater, residence-266 Congress st. e.

Annual Message of the Mayor of Detroit 1989 (http://books.google.com/books?id=2K114vIBKP4C&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:UOM39015020101815#v=onepage&q=Fitch&f=false)
Francis Fitch, age 30, badge no.94, pipeman Steam Engine Co. No.9-Larned and Riopelle, occupation-gold plater, residence-266 Congress st. e.

Annual Report of the Controller of the City of Detroit 1889-90 (http://books.google.com/books?id=F-EH0HN8l4EC&dq=editions%3AUOM39015020101815&pg=RA2-PA87#v=snippet&q=Fitch&f=false)
Francis Fitch, age 32, badge no.225, ladderman Hook & Ladder Co. No.2-on Hastings st. btwn Larned and Congress, occupation-gold plater, residence-266 Congress st. e.

Annual Report of the Contoller of the City of Detroit 1890-91 (http://books.google.com/books?id=Ko-zxtxG4PUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:UOM39015020101815#v=onepage&q=Fitch&f=false)
Francis Fitch, age 33, badge no.225, ladderman Hook & Ladder Co. No.2-on Hastings st. btwn Larned and Congress, occupation-gold plater, residence-266 Congress st. e.
He was treated by the Department Surgeon for a cold.

Annual Report of the Controller of the City of Detroit 1891-92 (http://books.google.com/books?id=RjNCR5_mbDIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:UOM39015020101815#v=onepage&q=Fitch&f=false)
Francis Fitch, age 34, badge no.225, ladderman Hook & Ladder Co. No.2-on Hastings st. btwn Larned and Congress, occupation-gold plater, residence-266 Congress st. e.
He was treated by the Department Surgeon for a cold.

Annual Report of the Controller of the City of Detroit 1892-93 (http://books.google.com/books?id=Dif5Ku0WETgC&dq=editions%3AUOM39015020101815&pg=RA5-PA76#v=snippet&q=Fitch&f=false)
Frank Fitch, age 35, badge no.282, steersman Hook & Ladder Co. No.8-Dix and Vinewood aves., occupation-gold plater, residence-496 Baker St.
He was treated by the Department Surgeon for a strained back.

Annual Report of the Munincipal Commissions of the City of Detroit 1894-95 (http://books.google.com/books?id=hmuS7rsMzkgC&dq=editions%3AUOM39015020101815&pg=RA3-PT241#v=onepage&q&f=false)
Frank Fitch, age 37, badge no.300, Lieutenant Chemical Engine Co. No.1-Wayne and Larned Sts., occupation-gold plater, residence-266 Congress St. e

Annual Report of the City Treasurer 1897-98 (http://books.google.com/books?id=5LHV7olLlSEC&dq=Peter%20Ortwine%20A%20Mayer&pg=RA1-PA4-IA326#v=onepage&q=Fitch&f=false)
Frank Fitch, badge no.320, Captain Hook & Ladder Co. No.2-Larned and St. Antoine, residence-318 Meldrum Ave.

Annual Report of the Munincipal Commissions of the City of Detroit 1898-99 (http://books.google.com/books?id=HjFcJINp2YAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:UOM39015020101815#v=onepage&q=Fitch&f=false)
Frank Fitch, badge no.320, Captain Hook & Ladder Co. No.2-Larned and St. Antoine, residence-318 Meldrum Ave.

Annual Report of the Munincipal Commissions of the City of Detroit 1899-1900 (http://books.google.com/books?id=tsQDasfEK0kC&dq=editions%3AUOM39015020101815&pg=RA10-PA126#v=onepage&q=fire&f=false)
Frank Fitch, badge no.320, Captain Hook & Ladder Co. No.2-Larned and St. Antoine, residence-318 Meldrum Ave.

Annual Report of the Munincipal Commissions of the City of Detroit 1900-1901 (http://books.google.com/books?id=g88sMklsRfcC&dq=editions%3AUOM39015020101815&pg=RA2-PA104#v=onepage&q=Fitch&f=false)
Frank Fitch, badge no.250, Captain Steam Engine Co. No.25-Fire Boat Detroiter near foot of McDougall ave., residence-208 Meldrum ave.Ave.

Annual Report of the Contoller of the City of Detroit 1909-10 (http://books.google.com/books?id=m2RNAAAAMAAJ&dq=editions%3AUOM39015020101815&as_brr=1&pg=RA4-PA100#v=onepage&q=fire&f=false)
This report doesn't include information about firefighters.
This book has group photos for all the companies - one every third page.
Our firemen: a record of the faithful and heroic men who guard the property and lives in the City of Detroit and a Review of the Past 1894 (http://books.google.com/books?id=VKzhAAAAMAAJ&dq=Peter%20Ortwine%20A%20Mayer&pg=PR1#v=onepage&q=Fitch&f=false)

The Burton Historical Collection has better scans of the originals, but the book helps to date them. The Captains named for each company on the photos are exactly the same as listed in the Annual Report of the Controller for 1892-93. Google doesn't have a report for 1893-94, but in the list for 1894-95 three of the captains have changed places. So it seems most likely that Frank Fitch appears in this photo of Ladder No.8 Co. (http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;select1=all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;se lect2=all;op3=And;rgn3=ic_all;select3=any;rgn4=sor tyear;op4=And;c=dpa1ic;back=back1275497065;q1=fire ;q2=detroit;q3=engine%20company%20department%20cre w;chaperone=S-DPA1IC-X-DPA2348%20DPA2348.TIF;evl=full-image;chaperone=S-DPA1IC-X-DPA2348%20DPA2348.TIF;quality=0;view=entry;subview =detail;cc=dpa1ic;entryid=x-dpa2348;viewid=DPA2348.TIF;start=;resnum=60):

6305

Less likely is that he's in the photo of Chemical Co.1 (http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;select1=all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;se lect2=all;op3=And;rgn3=ic_all;select3=any;rgn4=sor tyear;op4=And;c=dpa1ic;back=back1275498880;size=20 ;q1=fire;q2=detroit;q3=engine%20company%20departme nt%20crew;subview=detail;resnum=62;view=entry;last view=thumbnail;lasttype=boolean;cc=dpa1ic;entryid= x-dpa2346;viewid=DPA2346.TIF).

I couldn't find a death certificate for him here: http://www.seekingmichigan.org/

For some reason I couldn't find him in the census either. It can be searched for free using a MI state ID number to log-in at HeritageQuest (https://elibrary.mel.org/validate?url=http%3A%2F%2F0-heritagequestonline.com.elibrary.mel.org%3A80%2F). Maybe you'd have better luck.

You should be able to find the sites of the firehouses on GoogleMaps (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=&layer=c&cbll=40.758437,-73.985164&cbp=11,42.04,,0,-6.66&ie=UTF8&om=1&panoid=s_TY766yv4kWDddHKN8OVQ&t=h&ll=40.75844,-73.985195&spn=0.042649,0.174923&z=13&utm_campaign=en&utm_medium=ha&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-bk-svn&utm_term=%7Bkeyword%7D) or BingMaps (http://www.bing.com/maps/explore/default.aspx#5003/o=&a=/5872/style=auto&lat=r26vmp&lon=82kcfb&z=20&h=90&pid=5874).
I found that all that remains of No.10 is the driveway apron.

[cosine]

Hook & Ladder 2 (aka Engine 2) moved to Larned and St. Antoine, as shown in the annual data above. The station is still there, but has been undergoing some kind of renovation for commercial use. Here is a picture of it from last summer:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41247026@N04/3845774504/in/set-72157621986174095/

[DtCtyGrl]

M CD M, Brock7, and Cosine - THANKS!

I knew this was the place to seek answers and true to DetroitYES style - you delivered. Of course there always seems to be more questions than answers for a genealogy researcher. How does one, Frank (Francis) Fitch lose his job after such a long and productive career?

[M CD M]

While I was mapping on google Maps, I came across Engine 41.
In front, it looks active, but at the intersection, it's all boarded up.
Was there a fire?
Did it close and they moved 41?

[Brock7]

Found some more stuff regarding Frank Fitch.

I wonder if "widow" was sometimes used as a euphemism for separated or divorced back then. I found the wife of the man I was looking for listed as his widow while he was in Jackson prison.

Detroit City Directory 1877 (http://books.google.com/books?id=7k7iAAAAMAAJ&dq=editions%3AUOM39015071406238&as_brr=1&pg=PA316#v=onepage&q=Fitch&f=false)
Frank Fitch, burnisher, h 388 Woodbridge east
George Fitch, bds 388 Woodbridge e.
Percival B Fitch, clrk, h 388 Woodbridge e.

Detroit City Directory 1879 (http://books.google.com/books?id=vVniAAAAMAAJ&dq=editions%3AUOM39015071406238&as_brr=1&pg=PA333#v=onepage&q=Fitch&f=false)
Frank Fitch, burnisher Edward Bromley, h 266 Congress e.
George Fitch, polisher Edward Bromley, bds 266 Congress e.
Percival B Fitch, clrk D, G H & M Ry, h 266 Congress e.

Detroit City Directory 1885
Frank Fitch, burnisher, bds 266 Congress east.
Percival Fitch, checker G T Ry, h 266 Congress e.

Detroit City Directory 1887
Frank Fitch, pipeman Engine co No 9, bds 266 Congress e.
Mary E Fitch (wid Frank H), h75 Adams ave w.
Percival B Fitch, checker, h 266 Congress east

I don't know if one of these can be him.
Detroit City Directory 1928 (http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=genpub&cc=genpub&idno=acs8107.1928.001&q1=Fitch&frm=frameset&view=image&seq=877&size=400)
Frances Fitch, r4462 Brush
Francis E Fitch, auto wkr h1115 Collingwood av apt 103
Frank Fitch, h1515 Field av
Frank R (Ada E) Fitch, V-Pres Charles W Warren & Co, h1190 Collingwood av, apt 38, Tel Hemlock 5998-J I found another photo of the men of Hook & Ladder Co. No. 8. If you look carefully you can see it includes all the same men, so I presume it's also dates from about 1893.

If they're arranged according to rank then I guess that Frank Fitch would would be one of the two guys seated in chairs either side of the Captain.
http://www.detroityes.com/mb/attachment.php?attachmentid=6342&stc=1&d=1275782377
Full Size Image Here (http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;select1=all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;se lect2=all;op3=And;rgn3=ic_all;select3=any;rgn4=sor tyear;op4=And;c=dpa1ic;back=back1275634085;q1=fire ;q2=detroit;q3=engine%20company%20department%20cre w;chaperone=S-DPA1IC-X-DPA2336%20DPA2336.TIF;evl=full-image;chaperone=S-DPA1IC-X-DPA2336%20DPA2336.TIF;quality=3;view=entry;subview =detail;cc=dpa1ic;entryid=x-dpa2336;viewid=DPA2336.TIF;start=;resnum=42)

Here's a photo of the same men posed with their engines in front of the No.8 firehouse, which was the newest one that year - 1893.
Supposing the guy manning the steering wheel looking thing at the rear at the rear of the carriage to the right is the steersman, that would be Frank Fitch - appears to be the same guy seated in a chair on the right side of the photo above.
6343
Full Size Image Here (http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;select1=all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;se lect2=all;op3=And;rgn3=ic_all;select3=any;rgn4=sor tyear;op4=And;c=dpa1ic;back=back1275634085;q1=fire ;q2=detroit;q3=engine%20company%20department%20cre w;chaperone=S-DPA1IC-X-DPA2335%20DPA2335.TIF;evl=full-image;chaperone=S-DPA1IC-X-DPA2335%20DPA2335.TIF;quality=3;view=entry;subview =detail;cc=dpa1ic;entryid=x-dpa2335;viewid=DPA2335.TIF;start=;resnum=43)

HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY No. 8.
Location, corner Dix and Vinewood aves.
Truck went into service September, 1888. Turn-table aerial truck, built by the Fire Extinguisher Manufacturing Co., Chicago, Ill. Length of main ladder when extended, 100 feet. Carries the following apparatus: One extension ladder 60 foot, one ladder 35 foot, one 30 foot, one 25 foot, one 20 foot, one 14 foot, one 12 foot, one 12-foot extension ladder, and one Pompier Ladder outfit, four Babcock hand fire extinguishers, two ladder forks, six hooks with poles, 200 feet of rope for fire line, 100 feet for life line, four leather buckets, four hook axes, two hay forks, one pair electric wire cutters, crowbar and door opener, jackscrew, shovel, hand saw, rag books and wrenches. Weight when ready for service, 10,200 pounds; drawn by three horses. In connection with this company there is run a single tank, 100 gallons, fourwheel Champion Fire Extinguisher Machine. Equipment of 200 feet of hose, one 12foot Pompier ladder and one hand fire extinguisher. Went into service October 1st, 1891. Weight when ready for service, 3,730 pounds; drawn by two horses. Company organized June, 1893. House erected 1893.
Drury, Thomas H, 37, 280, Captain, Steamfitter, 270 24th st.
McKenney, John E, 35, 281, Lieutenant, Driver, 272 Twenty-third
Fitch, Frank, 35, 282, Steersman, Gold Plater, 496 Baker st.
Wilkins, Wm. E, 24, 283, Ladderman, Packer, 615 Porter st.
Konen, Henry, 29, 284, Ladderman, Carpenter, 69 Park ave.
Gaffney, Charles, 25, 285, Ladderman, Lineman, 645 Vinewood ave.
Shea, Edward D, 32, 286, Ladderman, Carpenter, 780 Baker st.
Cilliax, Wm. C, 26, 287, Ladderman, Carpenter, 651 Scotten ave.
Noyes, Thomas J, 25, 288, Ladderman, Driver, 686 Baker st.
Egan, Wm., 33, 289, Truck Driver, Driver, 179 Twentieth st.
Buckendale, A. A, 26, 289A, Chemical Driver, Driver, 570 Campau st.
May, Martin, 34, W, HouseWatchman, Watchman, 369 Dix ave.Here are photos of the houses Frank Fitch was assigned to. Couldn't find a photo of the boathouse, which was also brand new when he was the Captain there.

No.2 on Hastings between Congress and Larned 1 (http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;select1=all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;se lect2=all;op3=And;rgn3=ic_all;select3=any;rgn4=sor tyear;op4=And;c=dpa1ic;back=back1275627539;size=20 ;q1=fire;q2=detroit;q3=engine%20company%20departme nt%20crew;subview=detail;resnum=100;view=entry;las tview=thumbnail;lasttype=boolean;cc=dpa1ic;entryid =x-dpa2384;viewid=DPA2384.TIF)
No.2 on Hastings between Congress and Larned 2 (http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;select1=all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;se lect2=all;op3=And;rgn3=ic_all;select3=any;rgn4=sor tyear;op4=And;c=dpa1ic;back=back1275627539;size=20 ;q1=fire;q2=detroit;q3=engine%20company%20departme nt%20crew;subview=detail;resnum=97;view=entry;last view=thumbnail;lasttype=boolean;cc=dpa1ic;entryid= x-dpa2387;viewid=DPA2387.TIF)

No.2 Larned and St. Antoine (http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;select1=all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;se lect2=all;op3=And;rgn3=ic_all;select3=any;rgn4=sor tyear;op4=And;c=dpa1ic;back=back1275627539;size=20 ;q1=fire;q2=detroit;q3=engine%20company%20departme nt%20crew;subview=detail;resnum=96;view=entry;last view=thumbnail;lasttype=boolean;cc=dpa1ic;entryid= x-dpa2388;viewid=DPA2388.TIF)

No.8 Dix and Vinewood (http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;select1=all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;se lect2=all;op3=And;rgn3=ic_all;select3=any;rgn4=sor tyear;op4=And;c=dpa1ic;back=back1275634085;q1=fire ;q2=detroit;q3=engine%20company%20department%20cre w;chaperone=S-DPA1IC-X-DPA2335%20DPA2335.TIF;evl=full-image;chaperone=S-DPA1IC-X-DPA2335%20DPA2335.TIF;quality=3;view=entry;subview =detail;cc=dpa1ic;entryid=x-dpa2335;viewid=DPA2335.TIF;start=;resnum=43)

No.9 Larned and Riopelle 1 (http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;select1=all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;se lect2=all;op3=And;rgn3=ic_all;select3=any;rgn4=sor tyear;op4=And;c=dpa1ic;back=back1275639708;size=20 ;q1=fire;q2=detroit;q3=engine%20company%20departme nt%20crew;subview=detail;resnum=10;view=entry;last view=thumbnail;lasttype=boolean;cc=dpa1ic;entryid= x-eb02e606;viewid=EB02E606.TIF)
No.9 Larned and Riopelle 2 (http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;select1=all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;se lect2=all;op3=And;rgn3=ic_all;select3=any;rgn4=sor tyear;op4=And;c=dpa1ic;back=back1275639708;size=20 ;q1=fire;q2=detroit;q3=engine%20company%20departme nt%20crew;subview=detail;resnum=1;view=entry;lastv iew=thumbnail;lasttype=boolean;cc=dpa1ic;entryid=x-eb02c081;viewid=EB02C081.TIF)
No.9 Larned and Riopelle 3 (http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;select1=all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;se lect2=all;op3=And;rgn3=ic_all;select3=any;rgn4=sor tyear;op4=And;c=dpa1ic;back=back1275639708;size=20 ;q1=fire;q2=detroit;q3=engine%20company%20departme nt%20crew;subview=detail;resnum=5;view=entry;lastv iew=thumbnail;lasttype=boolean;cc=dpa1ic;entryid=x-eb02c475;viewid=EB02C475.TIF)
No.9 Larned and Riopelle 4 (http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;select1=all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;se lect2=all;op3=And;rgn3=ic_all;select3=any;rgn4=sor tyear;op4=And;c=dpa1ic;back=back1275627539;size=20 ;q1=fire;q2=detroit;q3=engine%20company%20departme nt%20crew;subview=detail;resnum=94;view=entry;last view=thumbnail;lasttype=boolean;cc=dpa1ic;entryid= x-dpa2390;viewid=DPA2390.TIF)

[Brock7]

I think I found some answers about how Frank Fitch lost his job with the DFD and how he ended up. I searched Historic Articles for "Frank Fitch" at the Free Press archives on-line (http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/freep/advancedsearch.html).

There were 29 hits. I only looked at the abstracts as there's a charge to access the full articles. They only show the first sentence or two. Some are probably about Frank R. Fitch the clockmaker. There are a couple of articles that seem to be about about fires or the DFD, but there are also some items that have to do particularly with Frank Fitch the fireman.

Feb 11, 1894 - It's reported that a Lottie Fitch answers to a Frank Fitch's bill for divorce by denying that she deserted him and claiming that he left her.

(I'd meant to include the following in my previous post, but somehow left it out)

Detroit City Directory 1895
Frank Fitch, city fireman, bds 266 Congress e.
Frank R Fitch, clockmkr Wright, Kay & Co, h 14 Beech
Percival B Fitch, (aged 71). died March 24, 1895
Lottie Fitch (wid Frank), bds 404 Congress e.Jun 29, 1897- There's a report about transfers at the DFD which mentions that Capt. Frank Fitch, of engine company No. 7. was transferred to ladder company No. 6.Which is different than the info given in the annual reports for that year.

Apr 23, 1902 - There's an article titled "FITCH IS OUT, COLLINS SUSPENDED - FIREBOAT DETROITER'S OUTFIT WAS DISAPPEARING". I wonder if he was selling DFD equipment off to obtain enough money to make his alimony payments. Collins was the Lieutenant under Fitch at Co. 25.

Aug 8, 1911 - It looks like he may have gone to work for the Highland Park Fire Department at some point after losing his position at the DFD as there's an article titled "BLOWN TO PIECES BY EXTINGUISHER" that reports that a fireman named Frank Fitch was killed at a fire in Highland Park when some equipment exploded.

[DtCtyGrl]

Brock7 - you're amazing! Thanks for all the info!
Frank was married to Lottie Lyndon prior to marrying my g-grandmother. I had no idea the freep had archives online now. I printed the article regarding his "resigning" from the DFD. He was indeed stealing. When Capt. J.E. Quirk was put in charge he began an inventory "of the effects of the boat, and found that two radiators, a porcelain basin, a tow line and about seventy-five feet of the anchor chain were missing." Items had been sold to various junk shops for about $45, of which Frank received about $20. Not much profit for risking your job!

I don't think the Aug. 8, 1911 article regarding a Frank Fitch being "blown to pieces" is the same guy, as we found Frank Fitch working in a rubble plant and living with his niece in a later census record. I did discover that Frank had a brother George who worked for the Detroit Police Department. It appears his marriage and job were both stable, as opposed to his brother Frank's.

[Brock7]

Recent threads about other boats got me wondering what the "Detroiter" looked like.

Here's a photo of the Fireboat "Detroiter" from 1901 when Frank Fitch was still the Captain.
6657
Fireboat "Detroiter" near far bank of River Rouge; log boom in foreground. (http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;select1=all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;se lect2=all;op3=And;rgn3=ic_all;select3=all;rgn4=sor tyear;op4=And;c=dpa1ic;back=back1278086049;size=20 ;q1=fire;q2=boat;q3=Detroiter;subview=detail;resnu m=1;view=entry;lastview=thumbnail;lasttype=boolean ;cc=dpa1ic;entryid=x-dpa2447;viewid=DPA2447.TIF)

Posted by Hornwrecker in the archived Firehouse thread:
drawing of the Detroiter, first DFD fireboat (http://atdetroit.net/forum/messages/5/81906.html)
http://atdetroit.net/forum/messages/5/80545.jpg


History of the Great Lakes Vol.2 1899 (http://www.linkstothepast.com/marine//captainsD.php)
To quote from a pamphlet issue from the Fire Department of Detroit: "Detroit has thirteen complete lines of pipe from high pressure service, the supply coming from the Detroit river through the fire boat Detroiter. To Chief James W. Dickinson, of the Cleveland Fire Department, is due the credit of causing these first permanent pipes to be laid for fire boat service, as he first conceived and adopted such pipes. They showed the great effectiveness of a fire boat on a fire 4,000 feet from their station on the river."
James Battle1830-1895 (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=22284843)
He came...to Detroit at the age of 18 in 1848 as a tinsmith and soon joined the volunteer fire department.He became fireman in 1852. In 1861 he was appointed Chief with 800 men...After his death the Detroit fire boat "Detroiter" was renamed the "James Battle" in his honor.Maybe these men are sitting at the Steam Engine Co. No.25 firehouse.
6658
Detroit firefighters, wearing white hats with short brims. Handwritten on back: "Fireboat, James Battle." (http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;select1=all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;se lect2=all;op3=And;rgn3=ic_all;select3=all;rgn4=sor tyear;op4=And;c=dpa1ic;back=back1278086096;size=20 ;q1=fire;q2=boat;q3=;subview=detail;resnum=1;view= entry;lastview=thumbnail;lasttype=boolean;cc=dpa1i c;entryid=x-dpa2324;viewid=DPA2324.TIF)

[Rocko]

There was quite the fire this hot holiday afternoon on the west side on Parkdale Terrace just north of McGraw. In all probably 10 engines showed up from a variety of engine and ladder companies. 4 adjacent houses burned, 3 empty, 1 occupied. When I figure out how to properly shrink these photos I took I'll try to add them here.

[M CD M]

I shrink my photo's is MS paint. I was over by Stephen Foster school today and noticed the two level apartments behind it (east side) the roofs are caved in and burned. I also stopped into Ladder 42 and the station at Livernois and warren.. I went to the Training tower, but there is no fire rigs there( i was told by the captain at Engine 42).

[M CD M]

I stopped in over the holiday weekend into Engine 42/Ladder 21 and Engine 34.
Pic's are towards the bottom of the page linked here, more on page 5

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25204143@N06/sets/72157612692281836/?page=4

[Dfd]

Excellent pictures! Thanks for taking them, especially the ones of the firehouse interior. You don't see the glazed brick used much anymore.

[TONY BOX 42]

88th.Detroit Firemen's Fund Field Day.
Sunday August 15th. Fort Wayne.
1100 to 1600.
Free Admission Parking $ 5.00

[Dfd]

Maybe this has been posted already, but just in case, here is a project the firefighters are working on. http://www.detroitfire.org/

[DtCtyGrl]

To all those who put their lives on the line every day - THANK YOU!

Support http://www.detroitfire.org

[ridgeabilly]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/justbeamensch/sets/72157604068068111/

Fire Houses

[Magnatomicflux]

Here's a photo of the James Battle....although it can't be the same one can it?
I'm not sure of the fireboat on the rights name, but it seems to fit the Detroiters profile. Is the smaller one the largers successor?

6881



This one here, is the James R. Elliot and a peak at the back of the station

6882

[Dfd]

Did you have the picnic/field day this year?

[DetroitTeacher]

Dfd: It was a few weeks ago at Fort Wayne. I wasn't able to attend, though.

[TONY BOX 42]

Fund raiser for the men hurt on Jefferson. See detroitfiremensfund.com for details

[Whitehouse]

|Is it in America also a custom to cherish some old equipment as a mascot? Here in the Netherlands some fire departments keep something alive and kicking. This one is not in the possession of a firehouse but in private hands. It's an American made Ahrens Fox made in 1927. This is one of the seven examples that were ordered by the city of Rotterdam. These trucks must have had some angels working in overtime. As you all know, the city of Rotterdam was bombarded by the forces of Hitler on May 10, 1940.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3388/3599996893_d18ef34f66_o.jpg

Of these seven machines that were in the service of the Rotterdam Fire department , an incredible six are still around!!! The last one went into retirement in 1972!! The engine is a 6 cylinder 16500cc gas-powered monster., that's 1006 cubic inches.

The pump on the front has some impressive statistics, even in these days. It still is capable to pump 3750 liters a minute, to all you that would be about a little less than 1000 gallons.

I believe one of these monsters is still in the possesion of the Rotterdam FD. Rotterdam was the only city in Europe that used the Ahrens Fox.

Here's one in use in Detroit. This one did it's work from the corner of Griswold and Clifford.
http://cincinnativiews.net/images-2/Ahrens%20Fox%20Continental%20Detroit.jpg
(http://cincinnativiews.net)

This one did it's work from the corner of Griswold and Clifford.








































..... wait a minute...


Wasn't that the same firehouse from this thread??!! (http://detroityes.com/mb/showthread.php?p=185340&posted=1#post185340)

[Dfd]

Remember the members of the DFD with Halloween approaching.

[DetroitTeacher]

DFD: I was just thinking the same thing! Please be careful out there, ladies and gents!!

[Dfd]

Well it's been a little over 4 years since this thread started. Here is how it began:

http://atdetroit.net/forum/messages/5/80015.html?1173935391

[Detroit Signal]

So ladder 21 is with Engine 42 on Chicago right?? I could have sworn I saw an Engine 21 sitting outside of another station on the east side. I didn't think there was an Engine 21 anymore....or do I need new glasses??:confused:

[DetroitTeacher]

DFD: Thanks for taking me back to the beginning again. Hard to believe it's been 4 years and no harsh words or inthread fighting! Many great memories shared here :)

[697Macomb]

So ladder 21 is with Engine 42 on Chicago right?? I could have sworn I saw an Engine 21 sitting outside of another station on the east side. I didn't think there was an Engine 21 anymore....or do I need new glasses??:confused:

Engine 21's apparatus is being used as a spare, Its currently assigned to Engine 23 at the Blvd. and Moran.

[TeresaM]

I am new to the group and hope I will be welcome. We moved to Detroit one year ago and have started exploring the idea of purchasing a firehouse and converting it for use as a residence. Dan Jasina at Box42 was helpful in getting me a list of closed stations. Most are in deplorable condition. We met the neighbor of E48, who told us what had happened there - the lower level is apparently completely underwater now. However, E27/L8 at Junction and Rogers looks pretty good. I don't want to offend any of the firefighters; in fact, quite the opposite. We thought that a firehouse would be fairly ideal - sleeping quarters, kitchens, showers, and parking space. Can any of you tell me more about E27/L8 when you have a minute?

[Ocean2026]

There's a firehouse -abandoned at Gratiot and Erskine. Lots of nice looking abandoned bldgs there and lots of green space. Is it a bad area?

[detroitbob66]

Has the fire station/church thats abandoned over on Rosa Parks and Labelle Street been discussed? Cool building that I drove by yesterday and had never noticed it before

[Meddle]

have started exploring the idea of purchasing a firehouse and converting it for use as a residence

I couldn't see that. It would be very expensive. They generally have no insulation at all. Many had steam heat off a central system that may not even be working any more. High ceilings, loose fitting single pane windows, old wiring and plumbing. You'd basically have a shell that would need pretty much everything inside re-done.

It might be more viable if you were talking about some sort of commercial venture on the ground floor with living quarters above, but most are in terrible neighborhoods to try and start a business.

[Meddle]

There's a firehouse -abandoned at Gratiot and Erskine. Lots of nice looking abandoned bldgs there and lots of green space. Is it a bad area?


Gratiot & Grandy, Engine 11

Yeah, quite bad.

[Meddle]

Has the fire station/church thats abandoned over on Rosa Parks and Labelle Street been discussed? Cool building that I drove by yesterday and had never noticed it before


Engine 40, Ladder 17

Picture on this old thread: http://atdetroit.net/forum/messages/5/80015.html?1173935391

[Rocko]

It might be more viable if you were talking about some sort of commercial venture on the ground floor with living quarters above, but most are in terrible neighborhoods to try and start a business.

Might I recommend the old Engine/Ladder house on Junction a few blocks south of Holy Redeemer Church? The neighborhood is fairly stable and certainly has the potential for supporting many kinds of local businesses.

[TeresaM]

That is exactly the one I mentioned.

[Meddle]

Look back in this thread. I think that's the one that used to be a Mexican restaurant. Or was that E22 ?

[DetroitTeacher]

There's one on Michigan Ave (and the cross street escapes me) that dad wanted to buy a few years back...they wouldn't sell it to him, for some odd reason (they claimed FF couldn't buy it). It's for sale and looks to be in OK shape for having been empty and sitting for so many years. Dad wanted to open up his store there. I don't know what it looks like on the inside, though. Probably nothing left of the interior.

[Carey]

The old Engine 11 at Gratiot and Grandy is owned by the Phoenix, the association of African-American Detroit firefighters, and they are slowly fixing it up for a headquarters. If you look closely, you can see improvements in the second-floor windows and other spots. Once upon a time, that station was going to be a fire museum.

The old Engine 22 on Michigan, a block or so east of Livernois, was a Spanish restaurant, owned by a family from Spain. I forget the name, but the family lived above the restaurant, which was a lovely restoration job that kept the polished wood and other features of the old firehouse. The venture fell apart after the husband/father/chef -- who was a flamboyant performer in his establishment -- died in an auto accident. The outside of the place looks like hell today. I can't imagine the interior is any better.

[reddog289]

The name of the resturant located in the former Engine 22 house was Casa De Espana I belive, and it does look like Hell.

[Rocko]

I forget which one it was but there was an abandoned firehouse over on Davison just a few blocks east of the Chrysler Freeway....it came down about a year ago....rumored to have come down without the proper Section 106 approval....

[Dfd]

Hi TeresaM, and welcome to the thread. It's been running for over 4 years and has turned into a history book. A lot of first person experiences. Good luck with your venture. I hope you find one with the bells still in place!

[TeresaM]

Thanks, Dfd. I have been reading the old posts for a couple of weeks and have been delighted to learn of all the warm memories the old-timers and firebrats have. I used to be a history buff (B.C. - before children), and the firsthand accounts are lots of fun for me to read. I especially love the photos and the stories that the firebrats have told about their parents. We have been here a year now, and it has been so sad and painful to drive around this once-majestic city and see what has become of it. It just boggles the mind that people let this happen. Then again, look at the property taxes here! Yikes!

There is one thing I want to say while I have the floor. These stories have really boosted my respect for the Detroit Fire Department. Thanks so much to any of you out there reading.

[TONY BOX 42]

Welcom, TeresaM. I agree with Meddle.A fire house for a home is EXPENSIVE.
Vast open space. Lots of plumbing and electrical. Heat bill out of this world.
To be practical commercial operation on the ground floor, live above.
E.27 L.8 Ch.7 one of my favorite quarters. Many fond memories. Real neighborhood fire house.E.11 is beautiful. I can't wait for it to be opened to the public. Detroitteacher ,Dad never told me that story. Interesting. I am sure E.22 is too far gone for restoration .

[DetroitTeacher]

A warm welcome, TeresaM!! This is probably the friendliest thread on this forum :) I love telling stories about growing up a firebrat! Helps keep me feeling young(er). I do believe that FFs from the DFD are probably the hardest working, most dedicated, awesome bunch of guys (and gals) out there. They are my second family, really...and they are my unsung heroes.

[Dfd]

Any of you fire dept. brats have Thanksgiving dinner at the firehouse?

[DetroitTeacher]

No. Dad has been retired for a while so no more visits for the holidays. We never really did dinner at the station because we'd always have our holidays on dad's day off (either the day before or the day after). Most of the families that I know did that...which made for a very interesting Christmas (we'd house hop for 3 days). When we were wee, it was explained to us that Santa knew dad had to go to work on Christmas and he delivered our presents early. We didn's mind. I think our parents did that to keep some sort of normalcy in our lives. Our parents must have been really close, too, because every kid had the same experience.