City of Wichita - 09 - H.H. McCall (The Old Man) 1932
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WFD History

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1300 S. Broadway
Wichita, KS 67211


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1932

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c. 1930's - Captain C.E. Holder with "House of Hazards" used in home safety demonstrations.

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Overhauling - note different fire coats.

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The age of slickers.

By 1932, the effects of Wichita's Fire Prevention Program were very evident. The fire loss for 1931 had been only $84,919, per capita loss 70 - 75 cents while the national average was approximately $4. In recognition, Wichita was one of eight cities in the country to win an award of merit from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

For the first time since 1923, the National Board of Fire Underwriters made a survey of Wichita. In their report, it is noted that there were 133 men on the department (an increase of 53 since the last survey) 1 Chief, 1 Assistant Chief, 3 District Chiefs (these D.C.'s were made when No. 1 and No. 2 Stations opened) 9 Captains, 23 Lieutenants, 2 Fire Prevention Inspectors, 1 Master Mechanic, 1 Electrician, 1 Secretary, 3 Telephone Operators and 88 Firemen. There were 9 engines, 1 squad, 2 hose wagons and 4 ladder companies in service at 8 stations. The Fire Prevention Bureau established in 1923 with two men, still had two men who were responsible for the inspection of all buildings in the City. Their findings were similar to those of 1923; that the department was under good supervision, pension and relief benefits were good (except no provision for compulsory retirement), but all companies were undermanned. Although there were an adequate number of companies for now, they lacked many essential tools. No printed rules were available but discipline was fair, response to alarms fair, drills and training fair, fire methods good, fire inspections effective (but should be supplemented by regular inspections of all company members) and records were fair. While far from perfect, a lot of improvement had been made.

The drill tower was moved to No. 2 station and a moveable safety net was installed (this same net is still being used forty-six years later). There was no other department in the country that had one like it; an innovation expected to be adopted by many departments all over the nation.

Out of town alarms had been answered by the Wichita Fire Department for many years, but for the protection of the men (in case of injury), the City entered into contracts with the surrounding townships to provide fire protection. A charge of $20 for each alarm was assessed and provided response by two machines. A $10 charge for each additional machine dispatched was also required.

Later the pension board came under fire from the newly elected State Senator Arnold C. Todd. He stated that the board was made up of the Mayor, Chief and three firemen, who in his opinion were subject to domination by the Mayor. In other words, an applicant wanted to be sure his politics were in order before he came to this board.

At the end of the year another salary cut was made, down to $127,50. The agreement for the salary slash was withheld from the employees. It was later explained "We did not want to dampen their holiday spirits."

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09 - H.H. McCall (The Old Man)
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