Fort Worth Fire Department

Mission Statement

First Volunteer Fire Department

In 1872 Fort Worth was incorporated by the Texas Legislature. It experienced rapid growth, later that year, when the plans for the Texas and Pacific Railway were announced. At that time most of the structures in the city were poorly built wooden structures or tents that burned easily. As was customary at the time, these structures were heated by wood stoves or fireplaces. Due to these conditions, large destructive fires were commonplace.

In 1873 Captain Buckley C. Paddock organized the Fort Worth's first fire company, Hook and Ladder Company #1. The company consisted of 60 volunteers. The company began raising funds and purchased a hook and ladder wagon for $600. Three years later a Silsby steam engine was purchased for the sum of $6,250 and the city soon realized that it need a reliable source of water for fire fighting. The city council then allocated the sum of $1,025 for the construction of 3 cisterns. These cisterns collectively held 63,000 gallons of water.

In 1882 Fort Worth constructed a system of water mains. This system had six miles of piping and a capacity of 4 million gallons of water a day. The city also installed an electric fire alarm system, the first ever in Texas, and 11 Gamewell pull boxes. However these and other fire department improvements had begun to strain the city's budget.

Texas Spring Palace fire

On the night of May 30, 1890 a fire broke out on the second floor of the Texas Spring Palace. An estimated 7,000 people were there when the fire started. In just mere minutes the building was engulfed in flames and the guest began jumping out of the second windows. Miraculously there only one fatality, A Englishman named Al Hayne, who had perished after rescuing several people from the fire. The fire at the Spring Palace became the catalyst for further improvements in fire equipment and personnel. On December 1, 1893 Fort Worth's first professional fire company was incorporated.^[3]

Horse-drawn fire apparatus of the Fort Worth Fire Department

How the Tradition of Fort Worth's white apparatus began

In 1904 saw the beginning of the tradition of Fort Worth Fire department apparatus being painted white. That year station #5 had been selected to represent Fort Worth at the annual Texas State Pump race that was held at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. The members of company #5 were unable to take their regular apparatus and instead had to use a reserve pumper. The pumper looked poor and with the city unwilling to provide funding, the men raised the money themselves. They took the pumper to E.E. Lennox Buggy works and only told Mr. Lennox to make it the prettiest wagon he could. When the members of the company returned, they found the wagon painted white with the trim and lettering in gold. The company won the races and the $250 prize that year. Thereafter citizens of Fort Worth began to compliment the fire department on how beautiful the wagon was. Being pleased with all of the compliments the Fire Chief declared that all new and refurbished equipment was to be painted in white. Fort Worth's apparatus was completely white until in 1981 a blue strip was added to the sides department's apparatus.^[4]

Great South Side Fire of 1909

On April 3, 1909 The Fort Worth Fire Department responded to a fire on the city's south side. Aided by a 40 mph wind, the fire quickly grew and a general alarm was soon sounded. Two of the department's engines crashed while en route to the fire. Engine company #8 crashed into a telephone pole and Hose company #5's also was put out of action when one of its horses slipped and broke one of its legs. The fire grew so hot that the rubber hoses the department was using melted.^[5] The fire burned out of control until it came to the natural barrier that was the Texas and Pacific railroad's locomotive roundhouse, shops and yard. This barrier prevented the fire from spreading further north thus sparing the downtown area. The department fought on bravely and when the fire was finally put out, more than 26 square blocks and 290 structures, including the Texas and Pacific station, were destroyed.^[6]

1909–1919

In 1909 the city also started to buy motorized equipment for the department. The first motorized vehicle was a car at the cost of $2,140. By 1919 the department was completely motorized and all horse drawn equipment was withdrawn from service. During these year the department hired its first Fire Marshall and the city begun adopting several progressive fire codes.

1920s and '30s

Men and Apparatus in front of Station 10 in Fort Worth circa 1910

During the 1920s and the 1930s the department continued to expand along with the city. The department unionized 1935. The union began pressing for a minimum wage law and in 1937 the Texas legislature passed the law. This put a strain on the already depleted city coffers and pitted management against labor.The City was only able to pay about 75% of the minimum wage and union sued for back pay. The chief at that time called a special meeting and informed his staff that he was unable to back them in their lawsuit against the city.

WWII and the 1940s & '50s

During WWII The city had difficulty replacing its older equipment as the military had preference for all heavy equipment purchases. The city had been able to purchase some new equipment in the years before the US entered the war. However, with 21 stations and the city expanding to 100 square miles, the departments resources were stretched thin. During this time relations between the department management and the union continued to deteriorate. This came to a head in 1945 when the city manager demoted the fire chief to captain.

The post war era saw many changes to the department. The department was able to replace its outdated equipment. Also in 1947 the Texas Legislature passed a civil service act requiring police and fire departments to implement a competitive promotion system. This same law also forbid police and fire fighters from going on strike.

During the 50's the department began numerous public relations campaigns aimed at fire prevention. To this end the Fire Safety division of the department was created in 1956. During the first six months 81,000 people, through 415 programs learned about fire safety and prevention.

1960s

1961 saw two firsts for the department. The department formed its first squad company to help with medical emergencies. In the years prior all department personnel had received training in first aid from the American Red Cross. However advances in modern rescue techniques and equipment lead to more innovative training for the department. The department also formed its dive team in 1961. The department was trained in scuba techniques molded from techniques used by famed French Oceanographer Jacques Cousteau.

Also during the sixties the city spent almost 1.5 million dollars replacing equipment and remodeling its fire stations. The biggest change, though, was when the city opened its Fire and Police Training center. Initially criticized, the training center proved to be a great success and is studied by cities nationwide.

1970s and 80s to today's department

Fort Worth Fire Department's Truck 2 responding to a call

The 70's and 80's saw many changes to the department. The police and fire departments had been reorganized into the city's public safety department. There was also reorganization within the department itself. A first responder program was initiated and all firefighters were trained as EMTs. Hazmat teams were formed during this time to respond to incidents where hazardous materials were involved. Also the department began requiring all of its members to participate in a physical fitness program. This program also mandated yearly physicals, at the department's expense.

Since the 1980 the department has continued to proudly serve the citizens of Fort Worth adding new firehouses in the booming northern Fort Worth area and replacing outdated firehouses as well.^[5]

Fire station locations and apparatus

Below is a complete listing of all fire station locations and apparatus in the city of Fort Worth according to Battalion.^[7]