Glendale Fire Department - "Community First"







	Harold Scoggins, Fire Chief

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		In the early days of the fire service it was all volunteer. In order to pay for equipment needed to fight fires, the insurance companies used fire marks. Each volunteer company had its own fire mark. If a business caught on fire, the volunteers would respond to extinguish the fire. The insurance company would then pay the volunteers for saving the building. If a business didn't have a fire mark displayed, the volunteers wouldn't put out the fire.

		Ventilation Operations There has always been a spirit of competition in the fire service, so much so, that in the early days if there was a large fire, more than one volunteer company arrived at the same time. Many times a fight would break out between the companies to see who would fight the fire and be paid by the insurance company. During the ensuing altercation the building would burn down. Zones were eventually set up for each company and if more than one company was needed the insurance company would pay all companies involved. 1946 - House Fire, 138 S. Adams

		1946 - House Fire, 138 S. Adams Fire fighters responded to many house fires and aside from helmets and turnout coats made of heavy canvas, they had very little protection. Although breathing apparatus was available (one on each fire engine), they were kept in compartments, checked once a day and forgotten. This went on until the mid 1970's when it was found that there were many heart attacks, lung disease, and many other negative reactions from smoke inhalation. Now, every firefighter has their own breathing apparatus on their rig, which is checked everyday. Specially trained personnel repair them when damaged.

		In 1923 Chief Lankford and Captain Thomas Philip purchased a Curtis Bi Plane and used it for the first time to observe fire from the air. Curtis Jenny JN4D, used for observing fires from the air. It was probably the first airplane to be used for the fire service. Beginning in the late 1950's the fire service has continually improved on it's ability to attack wildland fires. The use of helicopters has much improved the ability of fire departments to stop and control brush fires in rough terrain that many fixed wing aircraft would have difficulty attacking.

		Early version of water dropping copter, 150 gallons capacity. Some of the first helicopters carried large bucket type containers slung under the airship attached with cables. They had a water carrying capability of 150 gallons.

		LA County copter #7, being loaded with 360 gallons of water. Our more modern helicopters can carry 360 gallons of water and with our crews manning a landing site, are capable of reloading and dumping water on the fire in a matter of minutes.

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