WPBFD History

upper story windows.

months averaged about 3 calls a day for each unit. The two-pumper company concept that had been util- ized at #2 and #3 Station for decades fell victim to the EMS program. Structure fire response from these two stations was changed to a pumper with three personnel and a fire medic unit with three personnel. When the fire medic unit was on another call, back-up came from an- other station. October 31, 1977, was a day to remember for the firefighters who responded once again to the eight story Citizen's Building at 105 Narcissus Street. Over the years the office building had many accidental alarms caused by malfunctions in the sprinkler system but no fire of conse- quence since September of 1960. As units arrived at 5:35 p.m. on that Halloween afternoon, there was no outward indication of smoke or fire. The first company entering the lobby found water pouring from the elevator shaft. Climbing the stairs to the seventh floor, firefighters found the northerly group of offices fully involved in fire. Moments later fire vented through the exterior windows on the north and east sides of the building. The 1948 ladder, in service because of damage to the Snorkel in a recent wreck, was set up on the Clematis Street side to direct fire streams into the north side windows. Firefighters on the interior made standpipe connections and advanced hose lines into the burning offices. A call went out to bring the Snorkel for use as a water tower on the east side. Another hose line was taken to the roof of an adjacent building to cover the west side windows which were now showing fire. Fire- fighters inside the seventh floor were repeatedly pushed back by the intense heat and little progress was made in extinguishing the fire. Chief Kennedy arrived and requested mutual aid from Palm Beach to put a second aerial in service on the north side of the building. This proved to be the turning point that allowed control of the fire. When the Palm Beach aerial began delivering water, the exhausted fire- fighters in the stairwell at the seventh floor level rejoiced as a cascade of water flooded down the stairs. Two factors, concrete floors and the sprinklered hall- way, worked to the advantage of the firefighters in pre- venting fire extension. The suite where the fire had raged was occupied by the law offices of Hal McCaghren and V. Craige. The entire suite of offices was destroyed in the blaze which had started in a waste basket from a smolder- ing cigarette. Damage was $1,000,000. The spectacular fire was covered live on local televi- sion and several city commissioners stood on the corner observing operations. Chief Kennedy was busy giving on the scene reports to the television reporters. When asked about the status of the fire, Kennedy replied, perhaps a little prematurely, "This building is ours." The camera then panned back to show flames still blowing out of the

It was evident that a new aerial was needed after seeing the deficiencies of the 1948 Maxim and the 1963 Snorkel first hand. The fire department had requested a new ladder truck back in 1972 and 1973, but it had been cut by city officials each time. Chief Kennedy, seeing Commissioner Helen Wilkes on the corner watching the fire, decided to take advantage of the situation. "You see there, I have to call out of town to get a piece of equip- ment to put this damn fire out," he told her. As a result of the Citizen's Building fire the depart- ment was able to order a new Sutphen platform nearly identical to the one that Palm Beach provided in mutual aid. The extra manning would still have to wait. Hundreds of spectators jammed the sidewalks caus- ing one bystander to remark, "This is the most people I've seen downtown in fifteen years." Directly across the street from the fire, the Florida Theater marquee lit up as darkness fell, advertising the current feature film, "Burnt Offerings." By 1977 the issue of the old Central Fire Station had to be addressed. Traffic in the downtown area had in- creased, making it difficult at times for apparatus to exit the station. There was not enough room to house reserve equipment. The truck room had been reduced in size with the addition of a new watch office and fire prevention bureau. Staff personnel shared offices on the mezzanine that were too small for even one person. Living quarters on the second floor were antiquated. Window air conditioners seldom worked, blankets were hung in the windows to replace the old venetian blinds that had fallen apart, ceilings were water stained from leaks in the roof, lockers were termite eaten, rats romped across the floor at night, floor tiles were worn through to the concrete from years of mopping, and plumbing prob- lems often forced firefighters to stand in ankle deep water as they showered. During the winter months cold air blew through the old casement windows prompting fire- fighters to call the dormitory the "meat locker." Parking at the old station was a constant problem too. The south side of the building had an area wide enough for three cars to park side by side. When fire- fighters reported for duty in the morning, the first would pull in as far as possible with the driver's side of the vehi- cle nearly touching the station. He would have to slide over to exit on the passenger side. The next man would pull in within inches of the first vehicle and exit in the same manner. Some fifteen cars could be accommodated by this process. Every night the firefighters on duty would have to move their vehicles to the city hall parking lot on the east side of the station which allowed the next platoon to park in the area on the south side as they re- ported for duty. Many dents and scratches resulted from the maneuvering.

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