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Firefighters
Glimpses into different historic periods of firefighting, crew shots, and various HFD firefighters.
Houston formed its first full-time, paid fire department in June 1895. Prior to that, volunteer firefighters, like those pictured here in front of their steam engine wearing their best parade uniforms, served the small but growing city. Many of these volunteers were among the first 44 paid members of the Houston Fire Department, who worked 24 hours a day, with two days off each month.
The first Fire Chief of Houston's paid fire department, Tom Ravell, and Louis A. "Pinky" Bradley
Station #1 (second location) crew photo. 1900s
Firefighter sliding into action at Central Station in the 1930s.
Station #1 (third location) crew photo. 1940s
Furniture store fire in 1947. Firefighters did not have breathing devices at this time. Fire fighting efforts were often stopped at windowsills during such fires.
Chief Adams
Chief Adams is surprised with a cake on his birthday, November 30, 1959.
Firemen's Show, Oct. 15, 1946
Testing pumper at the Drill Tower
Training School, Group 1, March 15, 1956
Station #1 Crew Photo. 1958
Training class, 1966
Officers training class, 1966
Fire Chief Joe Lobue
Conference of the Arson Division, 1969
V.E. Rogers (left) and collegue in Class A uniform
Houston formed its first full-time, paid fire department in June 1895. Prior to that, volunteer firefighters, like those pictured here in front of their steam engine wearing their best parade uniforms, served the small but growing city. Many of these volunteers were among the first 44 paid members of the Houston Fire Department, who worked 24 hours a day, with two days off each month.
The first Fire Chief of Houston's paid fire department, Tom Ravell, and Louis A. "Pinky" Bradley
Station #1 (second location) crew photo. 1900s
Firefighter sliding into action at Central Station in the 1930s.
Station #1 (third location) crew photo. 1940s
Furniture store fire in 1947. Firefighters did not have breathing devices at this time. Fire fighting efforts were often stopped at windowsills during such fires.
Chief Adams
Chief Adams is surprised with a cake on his birthday, November 30, 1959.
Firemen's Show, Oct. 15, 1946
Testing pumper at the Drill Tower
Training School, Group 1, March 15, 1956
Station #1 Crew Photo. 1958
Training class, 1966
Officers training class, 1966
Fire Chief Joe Lobue
Conference of the Arson Division, 1969
V.E. Rogers (left) and collegue in Class A uniform
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