Fire Department Essay

Mission Statement: To prevent and minimize the loss of life and property threatened by the hazards of fire, medical, and rescue emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, and disaster situations within the community. History: Prior to the 1956 incorporation of Fremont, the area was comprised of five large unincorporated communities: Irvington, Mission San Jose, Centerville, Niles, and Warm Springs. Each of these communities had its own volunteer fire department and elected its own Chief Officers. Originally, the departments were just hose cart operations. When the City of Fremont incorporated in 1956 it had a population of 22,493 and it immediately implemented a Public Safety department. Two years later, the Public Safety department was disbanded, and the Fremont Fire Department was formed. At that time, the Warm Springs fire station was only staffed between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. When the sole firefighter on duty at the Warm Springs station went home, he would answer a â€Å"hot line† at his home for any emergencies, then respond to the fire station to activate the siren, summoning the other volunteers. When they arrived, they would respond together to the emergency. Slowly, throughout the 1960’s, all firehouses began staffing 24 hours a day. In 1969, volunteer firefighters were pushed out and full time paid firefighters staffed all stations. Individual stations history: 1. Station 1 at the corner of Mowry and Argonaut was built in 1963 and provided coverage for the central business district. 2. Once the home of the bustling movie company Essanay Studios, Niles became the home to the present Station 2, which was built on Second Street in 1952. 3. Station 3, in the Irvington District, was first built in 1939 on Washington Boulevard, then relocated in 1979 to its present site on Chapel Way. 4. The district of Mission San Jose housed Station 4, first located on Anza Way in 1954, then welcomed its relocation at Pine and Paseo-Padre Parkway with a grand opening on Saturday, June 23, 1990. 5. Warm Springs’ Station 5, first situated on Warm Springs Boulevard in 1946, was rebuilt in 1992 at the same location but turned on the property to now be assigned a Hackamore Lane address. 6. The Centerville Station 6, built in 1954, became the fire department headquarters when the City formed in 1956, and housed the dispatch center until 1963. After more than five decades of faithful service, Fire Station 6 was decommissioned in January 2009 and a new Fire Station 6 was welcomed into service on Central Avenue. 7. Station 7, built in 1964 at the corner of South Grimmer and Durham, provided coverage for Fremont’s industrial area. Today, it includes a classroom which is used by the Explorers for continued training. 8. To keep up with the building boom of the early ’70’s, Station 8 was constructed on Darwin Drive in 1971. Originally, the building was planned for just two years of use but stayed in service for an additional 35 years. The Darwin Drive firehouse was finally retired from service in 2008 and replaced by the new Station 8 on Fremont Blvd. 9. Station 9, located on Stevenson Place, was placed in service for the first time at 10:33 p.m. on April 27, 1992. Engine Company 9’s first incident occurred 20 minutes later when they responded to a request for medical aid at the Fremont Jail. 10. Dedicated on November 3, 1990, and followed by a grand opening on Saturday, January 19, 1991, Station 10 on Deep Creek Road complemented the existing coverage in north Fremont. 11. In 2010 Station 11 was completed. Located in the industrial area of Fremont on Gateway Blvd. This new multi-million dollar station is currently out of service do to understaffing.