WPBFD History

CHAPTER THREE Formation of the West Palm Beach Fire Department 1902 to 1910 The past cannot be changed, the future is still in your power. Hugh White

with great care taken in the wording so the town council would approve. This added credence to the volunteer fire company in an effort to gain public support and funding. Article 17 of the by-laws read in part, "The first member arriving at the reel house on the alarm of a fire shall take immediate command." The new department enrolled the following men as charter members: F. J. O'Beirne, J. W. Sanders, L. C. Holmes, Emil Anthony, J. B. McGinley, F. C. Gardner, Ralph Broadwell, Louis Burkhardt, W. J. Haugh, Robert McNair, A. F. Faber, Charles Miller, Captain W. W. Jar- vis, L. P. Lockwood, R. B. Tiffany, Charles Messing, E. L. Carlisle, O. N. Thomas, J. F. Wye, S. Schneidman, A. J. Ellis, Lee Fenton, J. E. Chambers, C. W. Schmid, W. M. Pope, W. F. Heckert, G. G. Currie, and Harry L. Brown. No one received pay for his service to the com- munity as a fireman. Regular weekly meetings were scheduled for Tues- day evenings at 7:30 sharp. Drills were conducted twice each week. James B. McGinley, Frank C. Gardner, and A. F. Faber were named to a special committee assigned the task of collecting funds for the organization. No funds were available for a permanent fire hall, one of the first concerns of the men. The volunteers sent circulars to all citizens requesting donations, but collection was a slow and tedious process. Because of the shortage of funds, the members were required to pay dues. The money was used to purchase equipment for the gymna- sium and fire hose. At the September 9, 1902, meeting, Mr. McGinley, representing the finance committee, reported that from all prospects he thought they would be able to raise about one thousand dollars. The secretary then reported that he had received five dollars from each of the following gen- tlemen: Mayor Burkhardt, Mr. W. R. Moses, and Mr. Enoch Root of Palm Beach. A letter from Mr. Root was read before all present:

1902 In the spring of 1902 a debate arose in the Board of Trade over what steps should be taken to improve fire protection. Some wanted to purchase fire extinguishers that would be placed around town, while others thought a new chemical engine would better serve the people. A compromise was reached to request improvements to the water supply for fire purposes. In May a resolution to this effect was drafted and forwarded to the town council. A fire that demolished the Lake Park Hotel (located in West Palm Beach) and several other buildings in 1902 added concern as to the ability of the Flagler Alerts to handle major emergencies. George C. Currie, attorney, poet, and developer, called for a meeting of the Board of Trade to establish official fire protection for West Palm Beach that would prove more reliable. In August James B. McGinley stressed to the Board of Trade the need for an organized fire department in West Palm Beach. He cited "the present helpless condi- tion of the town in the event of a conflagration." Mayor Burkhardt agreed, stating that up until then the citizens had the responsibility of organizing the vol- unteers. He added that "the Town Council would gladly encourage . . . the organization of a volunteer fire depart- ment and that such an organization would be thoroughly equipped by the town." A special committee which in- cluded George G. Currie, James B. McGinley, and Charles Miller was appointed to address the issue. Sev- eral in attendance expressed hope that a company would be organized soon enough to compete with the Miami fire company in the Labor Day contests. Tuesday, August 26, 1902, the Flagler Alerts were reorganized as the West Palm Beach Volunteer Fire De- partment. This important meeting, held at the Public Li- brary Hall, was documented in the August 29, 1902, Tropical Sun . In the tradition of volunteer fire depart- ments, association officers were elected. The new Presi- dent, James B. McGinley, would later become the mayor of West Palm Beach in 1910. Charles H. Miller was elected Vice President; Frank C. Gardner, Secretary; A. F. Faber, Treasurer; J. W. Sanders and F. J. O'Beirne, Foremen. J. E. Chambers was appointed as the first chief of the new organization. Some twenty members of the original Alerts were still active in the firefighting duties and the hand drawn hose cart was still being utilized. The association adopted by-laws and ordinances

Palm Beach Florida September 6, 1902

Mr. Frank C. Gardner, Secretary West Palm Beach Fire Department

Dear Sir: - I am in hearty accord with the object of your contemplated organization, having in my own young days served my time as a fire- man, commencing when only a lad of fifteen as

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