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1966
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c. 1960's - Phares Paint & Color, 100 N. Emporia.
c. 1960's - Big line on tires burning, C&M Tire Co.
c. 1960's - Searing heat and dense black smoke at C&M fire.
c. late 1960's - Overturned tank vehicle, 25th and Amidon.
Practicing rescue techniques behind Station No. 1.
| In the spring of 1966, Chief McGaughey in a report to City Manager McClure stated, "that he was faced with a serious loss of men through resignations and retirements because of long working hours and low salaries." At that time, Firefighters were working a sixty-six hour week at a salary at $485 per month after 4 1/2 years of service. The department had been unable to recruit men, and Union pressure was mounting to reduce the work-week to 48 hours; and secure a wage increase of $85 per month. As a partial answer, the requirements for firefighters were lowered dramatically in order to ensure employment. As time passed, this change would have considerable impact on the department in terms of discipline, appearance codes, dedication to duty, as well as different attitudes and philosophy for the fire service.
Another change occurred when the old "brown book" training manuals were replaced with a new "red book" developed by the Operations Training Section. A change in uniform went into effect in October when the blue jeans and T-shirt were exchanged for a new gray uniform. The officers were to wear blue serge pants and blue cotton shirts.
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Related to 11 - The Reawakening |
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