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PHOENIX FIRE DEPARTMENT HISTORY

Several fiery conflagrations struck the western town of Phoenix before the citizens took any measures to create a fire department. Finally, on Aug. 17, 1886, a special bond issue was passed that raised $10,000 to improve the water supply, purchase modern firefighting equipment and form Phoenix Engine Company #1. It was strictly a volunteer fire company with a charter membership of 25 men.

A Knott steam fire engine, a hook and ladder wagon, two hose carts and 1,000 feet of fire hose were purchased for $5,000. Prior to delivery of the new equipment in the spring of 1887, other volunteer companies were organized. On Feb. 12, 1887, the Aztec Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was formed. There was also a Pioneer Hose Company No. 1 and a mostly Hispanic group that became known as Yucatec Hose Company No. 2.

Bitter rivalry between the different volunteer companies led Frank Czarnowski to unite the companies and, on April 13, 1888, he became the first chief of the Phoenix Volunteer Fire Department.

In 1894, the Central Fire Station was built on the northeast corner of First and Jefferson streets on the same block that City Hall sat on. Before the building of Central Station, the equipment was housed behind members' homes or next to business establishments. The first firehouse was an impressive two-story block building with four separate sets of bay doors - one for each company.

When the Central Station was completed, a 1,222 pound bell was ordered, received and hung in the wooden tower on top of Central Station. The bell tolled according to the location of the fire. As the city was divided into a four ward system, the fire bell would sound once for ward one, twice for ward two, and so on. The town only measured .5 square miles at the time. One look in the direction of the designated ward told the firemen where the fire was. Unfortunately, the bell proved to be too heavy for the rafters of the station and had to be moved to a steel frame tower on City Hall.

A fire alarm system was set up in 1896. Fifteen alarm boxes were connected to the Central Station. A paid, full time fire department was still a few years away in 1898, but on July 1 of that year, the first paid member was hired. Billy Simmons was employed as a custodian of the firehouse and caretaker of the equipment. Later, he would become the chief.

By 1908, the Phoenix Fire Department consisted of six companies with no more than 25 members each. There were five full-time paid positions - three drivers, one house captain and one extra man. There were six head of horses and the apparatus included one second size Knott engine, one third size Ahrens engine, two combination hook and ladder and chemical trucks, one hose wagon, two hose carts and about 4,000 feet of cotton hose. They also had a first class eight gallon double tank chemical engine. This was later bought by Chief George Simpson and is now in the Hall of Flame, the only piece of Phoenix's volunteer fire department to survive today.

On May 17, 1910, one of Phoenix's most famous early-day fires took place when the Adams Hotel, a four-story wooden structure, burned to the ground in spite of all efforts by firemen. However, no one was killed.

In 1914, two new stations were built and the gong system was now in effect. Whenever a call was received on the "99," the phone line at Central Station headquarters, the dispatcher would tap out the type of call over the telegraph lines to all stations. This would ring the gongs in all stations.

Also in 1914, the days of the fire horses came to an end. Three 325gpm chain driven, white, 1914 Seagraves Type 19 firetrucks were purchased.

The department gradually changed from volunteer to a paid, full-time organization. By 1922, the transition was completed.

The first motorized ladder truck of the Phoenix Fire Department was a rigid frame 75 foot 1921 American LaFrance. The department still has it.

In 1924, the department split into a two shift system, A and B shift, each working every other day.

On Dec. 9, 1929, the Phoenix Fire Department suffered its first fatalities in the line of duty. While responding to a call, Squad 1 and Engine 2 crashed into each other at 14th and Van Buren streets. Captain Jack Sullivan of the Squad was killed immediately. Ambrose Shea died from injuries the next day.

The fire department struggled through the 1930s to bring itself up to national standards. New innovations were tried. Gas masks were used for the first time. Resuscitators were acquired to use on drowning patients. Inhalators were first carried on Squad 1. In 1935, the Fire Prevention Bureau was created. On Nov. 6, 1936, Phoenix firemen joined the International Association of Firefighters and formed Local 493.

In 1947, C Shift was created. For a brief period during the 1940s, firemen were expected to repair small equipment for the Parks Department and some patrolled with police officers as hybrid firemen-cops.

During the 1950s, James Wesley Robinson joined the Phoenix Fire Department, the first black man to do so. Alarm Headquarters was taken out of Station 1 and established in a separate building at 131 N. Ninth St. More emphasis was put on fire prevention. The city now had 12 fire stations. A new group called the Ladies Auxiliary to the International Association of Firefighters, known as the Fire Belles, was formed.

In the 1960s, the first fire station was opened at Sky Harbor Airport. In 1965, the first highrise fire took place at Camelback Towers. The Training Academy opened in 1968.

The 1970s saw a lot of changes. In 1971, the early retirement bill allowed years of service for retirement lowered to 20. Emergency Medical Services started to become a big part of the Phoenix Fire Department. In 1971, the first firefighters to become EMTs did so. The first Rescue Unit was put in service in 1973. The next year, the first two Phoenix firefighters were certified to become paramedics. On Aug. 5, 1974, the ARA fire took place. Firefighter Randy Potts was injured and died the next day. The Arson Task Force was formed in 1978 and the Hazardous Materials team started responding to incidents. Plus, the NFPA's Learn Not to Burn Program was piloted in Phoenix. On July 31, 1979, firefighter Dale Lockett was killed in a house fire.

The 1980s opened with the new Computer Aided Dispatch System starting and the first two female firefighters in the Phoenix Fire Department. Valley of the Sun municipal department firefighters all became a part of one union (Local 493) in 1984. The Phoenix Fire Department also started its debriefing program. On Nov. 15, 1984, firefighter Ricky Pearce was killed in a toulene explosion. The year 1985 was a banner year for the Phoenix Fire Department: the Maricopa County 9-1-1 system went into effect, Phoenix Fire Department ambulances were put in service, labor/management started productivity agreement and the Health and Fitness Center was dedicated.

The current decade of the 1990s continues to be one of progress and advancement. The Phoenix Fire Department became part of the Federal Urban Search and Rescue network in 1991. Ladder tenders were introduced to help with the wear and tear on ladder trucks and streets. Unfortunately, firefighter Tim Hale was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 12, 1994.

The Phoenix Fire Department approaches the 21st Century with a respect for change. We plan on change that results from identifying a need and responding to that need. As we change, we will respect the past, respond to the present, and implement with the future in mind.

For more information about the history of the Phoenix Fire Department, see the book Up From The Ashes.

PHOENIX FIRE DEPARTMENT HISTORY

FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT GENERAL INFORMATION

Applications for Firefighter Recruit only are accepted once a year, normally for a one-week period in January. However, the length of time for which the eligible list is certified may be extended beyond the one-year limit at the discretion of the Personnel Department. To qualify to begin the testing process, an applicant must satisfy the following requirements:

Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must possess the mental and physical/medical health to adequately perform the duties of a firefighter.
Must have a good driving record (fewer than eight points during the previous three years) and be able to obtain and maintain a valid Arizona operator's license.
Fingerprints of all applicants will be taken prior to each part of the examination process for identification and validation purposes.
May be subject to pre-employment drug screening test.
Medical conditions or disabilities that may impact an applicant's ability to perform the essential functions of the position will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If deemed necessary by the Fire Department physician or, at the request of the applicant, medical specialists will be consulted to assist in assessing the applicant's suitability for the position. If the applicant disagrees with the opinion of the Fire Department physician or the specialists, the applicant can exercise the procedures set forth in the Phoenix Fire Department Administrative Regulations for Medical Arbitration. Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician with the state of Arizona is preferred.
First, pick up an application and a study guide from the city of Phoenix Personnel Department. Information about the time and place for the written exam will be included in the materials. Applicants who pass the written test then must take, and successfully pass, a candidate physical ability test (CPAT) before being placed on the eligible-to-be-hired list. The Firefighter Recruit exam consists of two tests. The first test is a written 100-question, multiple-choice test, and the second test is a CPAT.

Written test (Generally administered each year in February.) The written test consists of two sections. One section is based on the study guide that is given to each person at the time the application is picked up at the Personnel Department. Questions are asked about material in that study guide. Applicants are not allowed to use the study guide when taking the written examination. The other section is designed to test your ability to read and comprehend the texts and other written materials used to train Firefighter Recruits at the Training Academy. Your knowledge of basic math also is tested because you are required to make computations during the training period and in the performance of everyday tasks.

Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). This test is generally given sometime in March. The CPAT is a sequence of events requiring you to progress along a predetermined path from event to event in a continuous manner. This test was developed to allow fire departments to obtain pools of trainable candidates who are physically able to perform essential job tasks at fire scenes. This is a pass/fail test based on a validated maximum total time of 10 minutes and 20 seconds. In these events, you wear a 50-pound (22.68-kg) vest to simulate the weight of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and firefighter protective clothing. An additional 25 pounds (11.34-kg), using two 12.5 pound (5.67-kg) weights that simulate a high-rise pack (hose bundle), is added to your shoulders for the stair clim event. Throughout all events, you must wear long pants, a hard hat with chin strap, work gloves and footwear with no open heel or toe. Watches and loose or restrictive jewelery are not permitted.
The names of those applicants who receive a passing score on the written test and pass the CAPT will be placed on the "eligible list" for Firefighter Recruit by the city of Phoenix Personnel Department. When the eligible list is certified, it is forwarded to the Fire Department. The Fire Department uses the eligible list to call applicants for job interviews. After the interviews, the highest qualified individuals will be offered employment pending the results of a background investigation and medical examination.

The Fire Department reserves the right to require a substance abuse screening test. Applicants who meet both medical exam and background investigation standards are scheduled for training at the Training Academy. A second physical performance test may be required of applicants as part of the final selection process. Periodic drug screening tests may be required at the discretion of the Fire Department.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires that an applicant provide the city of Phoenix with proof of identification and authorization to work prior to employment. The most common documents that will furnish this proof are an Arizona driver's license and a Social Security card.

All applicants who are selected for hiring then must successfully complete a recruit training program at the Fire Department Training Academy. The Recruit Academy lasts 13 weeks. Those who successfully complete the recruit training program are placed in the field as probationary firefighters for the remainder of their 12-month probationary period. During the probationary period an on-going structured training program will be provided, along with monthly performance evaluations.

If you have any further questions, call (602) 262-7356.

FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT