Portland, Oregon history

They all have one thing in common: They harken back to the history of the Portland Bureau of Fire & Rescue, which started out in 1851 as a volunteer operation that apparently functioned as well as any volunteer group.

More than 5,000 people have served in this capacity since the department placed its first crew into service in 1853.

In November 1859 Portland's "Machigonne 1," a First-size Amoskeag, became the first steam engine in the City.

The PFD put the Alarm Division into operation in March of 1867.

Two decades later, a major fire would change the face of Portland, leading to the end of the volunteer department, and two significant innovations in firefighting.The great fire of 1873 started August 2nd, a hot dry day, in a City parched with drought.

6 in 1881, Bramhall Ladder Co.

January 3, 1883: Portland Paid Fire Department submits its first annual budget to City Council.

First motorized ladder truck in service (Christie tractor), attached to Ladder 5's 1887 85 feet aerial trailer.

These changes created a strong foundation for the Portland Fire Department to build on as 1900 arrived.

1903 - Two new firehouses opened; Engine 6 on Park Avenue and Engine 9 on Arbor Street at Morrill's Corner.

Jay W. Stevens came to work for Portland Fire in 1904.

8 began covering Oakdale.New quarters opened for Engine 7 Fireboat at the State Pier, and was berthed on the east side of the pier.1908 - City Hall was destroyed by fire, including the third floor Fire Alarm Office.

1910 - Replaced four Call Assistant Engineers with a Permanent Deputy Chief (D-1) and a District Chief (D-2).

1911 - Chief Eldridge retired after fifteen years in office.

1912 - The P.F.D. produced a silent movie showing horse-drawn apparatus leaving and returning to stations.

Established March 18, 1914, the Fire Prevention Division has grown and evolved into a comprehensive and professional discipline within the fire service.

1916 also brought the first motorized apparatus, Hose 8.

The 1918 Indiana motor truck became a hose tender.

1920 - Engine 4 on Spring St motorized with a Seagrave 750 GPM pumper, replacing the steamer and hose cart.

1922 - Ladder 4 on Arbor St was motorized with an American LaFrance city service ladder and chemical truck.

1929 - Four new trucks went into service; a Seagrave 1,000 GPM pumper for E-4, a Seagrave tractor-drawn 75 feet aerial ladder truck for L-6, a Mack 1,000 pumper for E-6, and a McCann 1,000 GPM pumper for E-2.

1940 - A Fire Prevention Bureau was established, with a Captain appointed to head the new Division in August.

1943 - A new fire company was established (Rescue Co.

1949 - A volunteer fire company was also established on Great Diamond Island as Engine 13.

1954 - Chief Engineer Oliver T. Sanborn retired after 30 years in office.

1964 - Munjoy Station closed two days in April (E-2 decommissioned), reopening with Engine 1 relocated there.

1966 - Bramhall Square Station opened.

1967 - North Deering station opened and Engine 8 and D-2 Chief relocated there, closing the Woodfords station.

1972 - Stevens Avenue firehouse expansion completed, and Ladder Co.

And in 1975 the Medical Crisis Unit (Medcu) was formed as a part of the Fire Department to handle the increasing need for EMS in Portland.

Clement O. Dodd was appointed Fire Chief.The Medical Crisis Unit (MEDCU) was created in a new Public Safety Department to answer EMS calls.1976 - Rescue Co.

1978 - First Fire Recognition Day held in Monument Square to demonstrate firefighting techniques.

1979 - Central Station closed, and E-5 and L-1 relocated to Munjoy and Headquarters to the Public Safety building.

1988 - Computers were purchased and placed in all stations, upgrading and improving paperwork and reports.

1990 - A Portland Fire Department Color Guard was organized.