WPBFD History

CHAPTER FOUR From Volunteer to Paid Firemen 1911 to 1919 Great perils have this beauty, that they bring to light the fraternity of strangers. Victor Hugo

did iron it out."

1911 Richard L. "Dick" Ray was appointed Fire Chief January 9, 1911. He had been an early Flagler Alert, joining on December 7, 1895, but for some reason had not been listed as a charter member of the West Palm Beach Volunteer Fire Department in 1902. Chief Ray

1912 Cities with motorized fire apparatus were few and liter- ally far between along the southeast coast of Florida. It was not unusual for fire trucks to travel long distances to

assist another department in contain- ment of a serious fire. In 1912, the West Palm Beach Fire Department sent their single motorized fire truck to help bring a stubborn blaze under control in Fort Lauderdale. The fire started around midnight June 1-2 in the middle of the down- town area. It was not long it spread beyond control and the whole busi- ness district was in flames. Fire de- partments from Miami to West Palm Beach sent help, but by the time these companies arrived it was too late. The volunteers saved only two build- ings; the Fort Lauderdale State Bank was protected by a bucket brigade bringing water from the New River and the Osceola Hotel was rescued by dynamite, carefully placed to stop the spread of the fire. Ironically, the Osceola Hotel was destroyed in a fire the next year. The Fort Lauderdale town council learned that it could not depend on

would later become the manager of the Palm Beach Chamber of Com- merce. During Ray's inaugural year as chief, the department purchased its first motorized fire apparatus. On October 17, 1911, the town council passed a $65,000 bond issue and the fire department received $5,500 for a new truck. The 1910 American La- France type 10 combination hose and chemical truck was an inspiring sight to the firemen compared to the old hand drawn equipment. The general public was keenly interested too. At the Sunday unveiling the entire con- gregation of the old Methodist church, located across the street from the fire station, spent hours inspect- ing the machine after morning ser- vices. The department needed a more efficient response rather than having to wait for volunteers to retrieve ap-

Richard L. “Dick” Ray, Chief 1911-13

paratus from the firehouse. The town hired two men, Lawrence Covar and Henry Franklin, at $60 per month, to remain at the station around the clock. The truck could then be driven to the fire scene immediately when the alarm sounded. One man worked on duty for 24 hours until relieved by the second; the first returned in 24 hours for his next shift making an eighty-four hour workweek. For the first time the city employed full time, paid fire- men. Alfred P. Sadler, future chief of the department, would later comment on the principal problem with the early volunteers. "Our greatest trouble in keeping the organization going was in having them attend drills. We could get them out for a smoke session, all right, but there was just no way you could get them out to drill. We tried everything; fining them and expelling them but we never

distant companies for fire protection. They voted unani- mously to establish their own volunteer fire department. The downtown was rebuilt with new fireproof buildings replacing the old wooden firetraps. An anonymous poet gave the chief's wife, Mrs. Dick Ray, a poem to immortalize the efforts on that long day. THEY MADE A RECORD "We're all in flames! Can you send aid?" In brief the midnight message said. And, quick to offer them relief, They roused Dick Ray, the fire chief:

Said the mayor, "Go - but don't get gay - - For Lauderdale's forty-three miles away!"

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