WPBFD History

In September of 1962 West Palm Beach entered into mutual aid agreements with Palm Beach and Lake Worth. The reciprocating pacts provided for fire protec- tion assistance, each to the other, when requested. The documents were actually a formality because the three municipalities had always assisted each other without any difficulties arising In 1962 the city had 1,430 fire hydrants and 275 miles of mains. The water distribution system provided a dependable supply from Clear Lake, the large natural res- ervoir used since the early days of Henry Flagler.

speech in which he said, "My first good fortune was com- ing to West Palm Beach. My second good fortune was joining the fire department." James M. Sloan, Jr., had been Deputy Fire Chief under Witherspoon and scored the highest grade on the written test. He joined the West Palm Beach Fire Depart- ment February 3, 1946, after serving with the U.S. Naval Air Force during World War II. Chief Sloan's family, like many others, had a tradition of serving as firefighters in West Palm Beach. James M. Sloan, Sr., had migrated to West Palm Beach from Cordele, Georgia. He had been a farmer and mechanic before moving to Florida and join- ing the department in August of 1925. James, Jr. had been three years old at the time. Sloan had paved the way for his move to the top po- sition. He graduated from the Florida State Fire College and had taken the Dale Carnegie Leadership Course. He had also completed courses in Municipal Fire Administra- tion and bookkeeping. Unlike some of his predecessors, Sloan had a spe- cial knack for handling administrative detail. He devel- oped his own administrative procedures for the efficient operation of the department, and his knowledge of politi- cal and economic influences helped in budgetary consid- erations. William H. Lingenfelter, the administrative offi- cer since 1924, had handled such matters under prior chiefs. Sloan was extremely proud of his memory, citing specific details from decades past (particularly baseball related facts), and he knew every fireman by name.

Mutual Aid agreement ceremonies between West Palm Beach and Palm Beach. 19