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1960
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1960 - Arrival of four new pumpers. Pictured here is Engine No. 3.
1960 - Vehicle Maintenance - 400 N. Water behind Station No. 1.
c. 1960's - One of just a few Fords being readied to go on track.
1960 - Potts Drug Company fire - 119 N. Santa Fe.
| January 1, 1960 brought an order from Chief Wood for firefighters to cease off-duty employment. This order came as a result of a complaint from the local Teamsters Union because firefighters were driving trucks on their day off and teamsters resented this.
March 1 was the date that fire inspectors were issued ticket books to be used for citing fire code violators. Prior to this time, complaints had to be filed at the Police Department and the person in violation was arrested.
One of Wichita's most tragic home fires occurred on February 7, 1960 when six persons died in an apartment at 1840 N. Arkansas when gasoline was being used to clean auto transmission parts.
The I-Sticker Program for invalids was inaugurated by the Fire Department in May, 1960. This provided identification to assist firefighters and a lot of comfort and security for many who weren't capable of helping themselves in an emergency situation.
A career came to an end for Fire Chief F.E. Wood on July 1, 1960, when he retired after having served for thirty-eight years on the department. He had served as Chief of the department since 1949 and was sixty-one years of age. On May 1, 1961, retired Fire Chief Wood passed away, less than a year after his retirement.
Assistant Chief T.A. McGaughey was appointed Fire Chief and District Chief R.L. Simpson was named Assistant Chief. The new Chief immediately received a welcome in the form of a major fire.
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