Seattle Fire Department

The Seattle Fire Department is the medical, rescue, and fire protection force of Seattle, Washington and it is the largest metropolitan fire department in the Pacific NorthwestFact|date=March 2007. It is also a part of Medic One.

A Brief History of The Department

Seattle's Fire Department was established by City Charter in 1883. The charter provided for equipment purchases, but not for hiring of firefighters. Following the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, a professional fire department was created with five district fire stations. A fire boat was also purchased. The first Fire Chief of the professional department was Gardner Kellogg, who served from 1890 to 1892 and again from 1895 to 1901. A Board of Fire Commissioners was established by the 1890 City Charter to prescribe rules and regulations for the Department. The Board's responsibilities included enforcing rules violations and appointing the Fire Chief and all subordinate officers. The Board was abolished with passage of a new City Charter in 1896. [http://nwda-db.wsulibs.wsu.edu/findaid/ark:/80444/xv27709]

Department apparatus profile

Personnel Profile ( 2008 )

*Personnel 1,163
*On-Duty Strength 210
*Department Chiefs 36
*Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) Certified 1,089
*Paramedics 81
*Non-Uniformed (Civilian) Personnel 74

Apparatus Profile ( 2008 )

Fire Stations ( includes Medic One HQ at Harborview Medical Center) 34
*Engines 32
*Ladder Trucks 11
*Chief Units 6
*Aid Units 4
*Medic Units 7
*Air Trucks 2
*Fire Boats 3 (2 saltwater, 1 freshwater; one on-duty, one back-up fireboat crew)
*Hose/Foam Wagons 2
*Tech Rescue Unit 1
*Haz Mat Unit 1
*Mobile Vent Unit 1
*Decon Unit 1
*Mass Casualty Unit 1
*Marine Incident Unit 1 [http://www.seattle.gov/fire/deptInfo/deptProfile.htm]

External links

* [http://www.seattle.gov/fire Seattle Fire Department home page]

* [http://nwda-db.wsulibs.wsu.edu/findaid/ark:/80444/xv81405 Guide to Seattle Fire Department Annual Reports 1895-1989]

* [http://nwda-db.wsulibs.wsu.edu/findaid/ark:/80444/xv27709 Guide to the Seattle Fire Department Station House Files 1903-1975]