WPBFD History

Most of the recommendations of the underwriters concerning improved water supply were not instituted due to budgetary limitations. For that reason the city kept its "second class plus 5 cent" rating. In 1925 West Palm Beach was expanding faster than essential services could be provided. Not only was Chief Sadler facing an increasing fire problem, but the roads were now crowded with vehicles operated by indi- viduals who had limited experience in driving. On June 29 the Chief wrecked his Hudson Super Six while re- sponding to a fire. He collided with H. L. Spangler who was driving through town in a Ford. On July 14, 1925, another serious fire struck West Palm Beach. A wood frame dwelling on 19th Avenue (now 21st Street) erupted in flames. Before the fire was brought under control, ten other homes had been damaged extensively. Losses totaled $28,039 of which $12,710 was recovered in insurance settlements. Another fire threatened the city on the morning of September 12, 1925, when a rooming house at 10th Street and Tamarind Avenue burned intensely. The flames spread to twelve other buildings and several railroad freight cars parked on a nearby siding. Efforts of the fire- men were again hampered by a lack of water mains in the area. The nearest hydrant was nine blocks away. Cause of the fire at J. J. Johnson's rooming house was not deter- mined. More than a hundred people were left homeless. The loss of all buildings was valued at $27,600 with $17,000 recovered from insurance. At times it was hard to find men to fill the ranks. The pay was low, hours long, and the dangers ever pre- sent. In September of 1925 a fireman was sitting on the sidewalk bench in front of Central Station when a stranger approached and struck-up a conversation. The fireman learned that the stranger had just arrived in town and had no place to stay the night. "You can sleep in the fire hall if you want to work," the leather faced veteran told the potential recruit. "Just go on in and talk to the chief." Having no where else to turn, the large Georgia transplant went to the chief's office to see about being a fireman. Chief Sadler was busy with some paperwork, so the man waited patiently. As the minutes passed the man became irritated that he was being ignored. He turned to leave. "So you want to be a fireman?" the chief finally asked. That was how Emory R. "Bim" Powers began his career with the department September 18, 1925. He must have liked the work because he stayed for thirty-eight years. Total fire loss for the fiscal year 1924-25 was $90,426.50. This amount did not reflect the Breakers fire which the Town of Palm Beach had the honor of carrying on their record books. The third major fire of 1925 broke out November 24. A cold front had passed through south Florida caus-

cials were able to pinpoint the area of origin to a guest room on the fourth floor. Most historians believe the fire was started by a "new fangled" curling iron used by one of the guests. The Breakers had once again burned to the ground, suffering a $1,000,000 loss. Total losses on the island were more than $2,500,000. The March 19, 1925, edition of The New York Times reported the fire on page one. One of the hardest rescues in the history of Ameri- can fires was reportedly performed that afternoon. Arthur Woodman, a member of New Jersey high society, was staying on one of the upper floors of the Breakers when the fire broke out. The 610 pound man, touted as the world's largest Elk, was trapped in his room by heavy smoke in the corridors. A nearby dragline crane swung its bucket up to Woodman's window and brought him to safety. There was one fatality as a result of the fire and only a few injuries even though nearly all of the 500 rooms were occupied on that fateful day. No doubt the metal fire escapes installed in 1916 played a major role in evacuation of the hotel. Had the fire occurred in the mid- dle of the night however, the death toll would have been enormous. Charles Caesar, who would later join the West Palm Beach Fire Department, was called to the scene of the fire as an employee of Southern Utilities Company (today known as Florida Power & Light). He pulled the electric meters from the stores on the first floor of the Breakers as flames danced overhead. The Breakers, like the legendary phoenix, rose from the ashes once more. Leonard Schultz, who had designed the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, was hired to de- sign the new hotel with specific instructions to make it as fireproof as possible. The new Breakers was constructed of concrete and opened eleven months after the fire. To- day that same Breakers is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful hotels in the world. The South-Eastern Underwriters Association first inspected West Palm Beach in the summer of 1925. Their report dated June 26, 1925, provided guidelines for the city and the fire department to meet in order to obtain a better rating for fire insurance purposes. Once these changes had been implemented, the city would be rated "First class on all risks within 500 feet of a fire hydrant on the special fire main system; and first class plus 10 cents on all other risks more than 500 feet from a hydrant on the special fire main system; and first class on all other risks within 500 feet of a hydrant." The underwriters specified that the running card pro- vide for 1 hose truck, 2 pumpers, and one aerial truck re- sponse to fires in the mercantile district and 2 pumpers in residential districts. Company officers had to be ap- pointed so that one could respond with each piece of ap- paratus.

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