The following is a History of the Fire Department prepared by the Fire Prevention Committee in 1963.

History of Lakewood Fire Department

1902-1963

Reprint:
Fire Prevention Committee – 1963-64
Carl J. Lochard, Chairman
Virgil Wallace, Co-Chairman

In 1902, the trustees of Lakewood made a contract with J.A. Mastick for a team to haul the apparatus to any fire that may occur in the village, and he would also provide two men to aid in fighting fires. Citizens, as volunteers, to furnish additional help necessary for the work at hand.

This contract for services was made in 1902 and continued for about ten years.

Mr. Mastick operated a funeral home located at the northeast corner of St. Charles and Detroit Avenues. The barn housing the hose wagon and horses was located behind the house facing St. Charles Avenue.

In 1910, the officials of the City of Lakewood purchased the property located at the southwest corner of Warren Road and Detroit Avenue. The house facing Detroit was used as the City Hall.

City officials took possession of the fire apparatus that it owned at that time and move it to the barn that stood at the rear of City Hall, facing Warren Road. They also purchased a horse and buggy for the Chief to respond to fires.

The apparatus at this time consisted of a hose wagon, horses and harness, hose, and a few small fire extinguishers. Shortly after, however the city purchased the first motorized equipment, which became know as Engine No. 1.

The men to see service in the early days of this embryo department were: Eyner Buhl, William J. Curry, Jacob Hennie and Henry Bulky.

The possibilities of so small a department with such meager equipment were not great, but as there were few fires to tests its powers, it was enabled to make a good record for it to meet the requirements for which it was established.

In 1911, however, Lakewood shook off its garments of Villagehood and assumed the more dignified robes of a City, with population of about 18,000 people. With this new assumption of prerogatives, it became necessary to reorganize the Fire and Police Departments.

First in the reorganization came the choice of Chief, resulting in the election to that position of Joseph H. Speddy. The members of the department, under the status of the State pertaining to Fire Departments, made it necessary that incumbents and aspirants take a Civil Service examination. This led to the eliminating of these former members of the department. The personnel of the Department at that time were was follows: Joseph H. Speddy (Chief), Jacob D. Hennie, William J. Curry, John Dooley, Edward H. Hoffstetter (Acting Lieutenant), Louis M. Slavick, Lessel L. Capell (Acting Captain), Frank H. Grigolet, Ernest Bindernagel (Acting Lieutenant), Lester I. Bosch, and Christopher M. Groben.

Former Firemen who did not wish to continue with the Department were: Eyner Buhl, Henry Bulky, Timothy McDonough, John Mullaly and Roy Stock.

Almost immediately after the Fire Department was organized, City Administration saw the necessity for providing more commodious quarters and more efficient equipment for the work of fighting fires.

Plans were set afoot for a new building, on the site of the old, which was completed in November 1913. The new structure, a two-story brick, was built to house both the Fire and Police Departments.

When the Fire Department was taken over by the Village and plans set afoot for its reorganization, Engine No. 1, a combination chemical/hose wagon and pump to supply water pressure for the hose lines, was purchased from the American LaFrance co. at a cost of about $4,000.00.

Before this, the Department was at the mercy of the pressure in the water mains for its fire-fighting efficiency. At the time that the Department was installed in its new quarters, Chemical No. 2, a combination hose wagon/pumps/chemical tanks, was purchased from the Peerless Motor Car Co. of Cleveland, Ohio, and also a service truck carrying ladders and appliances used at fires, from the American LaFrance Co., was placed in service.

With the new equipment purchased, the Lakewood Fire Department was as efficient as any department in the State of Ohio, where the number of men was limited to what was possible under the provision of the City Charter at that time.

Evidence of the thorough organization under which the Lakewood Fire Department was operated is to be found in the fact that the Cleveland Fire Department had arranged to trade off with the Lakewood Fire Department in case of fires on either side of the line separating the two cities. In consideration of the Lakewood Fire Department looking after fires in the western limits of the sixth city on call for help, because apparatus in the west environs of Cleveland was called “downtown”, the fires in the west end were getting beyond control of the Cleveland Fire Department, apparatus would be sent to make the fight. The Cleveland Fire Department stood ready to answer any call for help from the Lakewood Fire Department.

The Mayor of Lakewood at the time made a contract with the Mayors of Rocky River and West Park for the Lakewood Fire Department to give fire protection to those two villages at a cosy of $50.00 per run. As a consequence, two additional Firemen were added to the Lakewood fire-fighting forces.

In March of 1915, Lakewood purchased a Pulmotor to add to her already highly efficient and up-to-date equipment.

Lakewood’s first Fire Chief, Joseph H. Speddy, gained his fire-fighting experience in sixteen years of employment at The Standard Oil Co., at one of its large manufacturing and refining plants to Cleveland. Fires in such a plant were frequent occurrences, generally presenting a hard task for control; and there were a few schools for service where one would be forced to pass through so strenuous a test as in this field of endeavor which Mr. Speddy received his training.

When Chief Speddy was picked as Lakewood’s First Fire Chief, he had completed ten years as Chief of Fire Apparatus and Firemen at Standard Oil Refinery No. 1 in Cleveland.

Chief Speddy’s father was Assistant Chief in the Cleveland Fire Department for 36 years.

In 1915, Firemen worked 72 hours on duty and 24 hours off duty.

By the end of 1915, the last of the horses had been sold and the City fathers had purchase a Peerless Roadster for the Fire Chief to respond to fires in.

Water supply and pressure were problems of the early residents, and to help overcome this condition during the hot summer months, a large water supply tank was in built in 1915 just south of Fire Department Headquarters on Warren Road. This supply tank was kept in service until adequate watermains and pressures were maintained. The water tank was taken down in 1936 and sold for scrap.

In February of 1917, the members of the City Council purchased a 750-gallon pumper from the American LaFrance Co. and placed this engine in service at Fire Department Headquarters on Warren Road.

In the fall of 1919, a fire broke out in The Edgewater Lumber Co. yards, then located just north of the Nickel Place Railroad tracks on the west side of the West 117th St. After the fire was extinguished, estimates of the loss exceeded 150,000.00; using today’s (1963) values, this loss would exceed $500,000.00.

Due to this fire and the lack of man power, the members of City Council voted to add seven new Firemen to the Fire Department.

In 1919, the members of the City council voted to buy a new 350-gallon pumper, known as Engine No. 1, from the American LaFrance Co. This engine was stationed at Headquarters on Warren Road.

In the spring of 1920, Lakewood was hit by another large fire; this fire occurred in the Theo Kundtz Co., Plant, then located on the north side of the Nickel Place Railroad Tracks, to Clifton Boulevard and from the rear lot line of the homes on Manor Park to the west sidewalk of Giel Avenue. The fire-loss estimate of this fire exceeded $1,000.000.00 and again, using today’s (1963) values, this figure would be about four times more than the figures of 1920.

The City Council members again saw the need for more man power and voted to add nine more Firemen to the Fire Department.

In 1920, the property at the northeast corner of Kenilworth and Detroit Avenue was purchased by the City Council; the Engine House No. 2 was constructed. The Council also approved the sending of old No. 1 Engine, purchased in 1912, to the American LaFrance Factory, have it rebuilt, and place it in Engine House No. 2 when it was return at the end of 1920.

Late in 1920, two Officers and eight Firemen were transferred from Engine House No. 1 on Warren Road to Engine House No. 2, and the Company was placed in service.

From the year 1912, when Civil Service was established, until 1920, all Officers except Chief Speddy were on an “acting” basis; but, at the end of 1920, the Civil Service Commission held examinations for the positions of Lieutenant and Captain. After the list was certified, three Captains and three Lieutenants were appointed.

Late in 1920, the Peerless Hose and Chemical Wagon that had been purchased in 1914 was sold for scrap.

The building boom was on in Lakewood and new apartments and commercial buildings were rising on the main thoroughfares and on side streets. Realizing that the Service Truck now in service at Engine House No. 1 was not adequate to handle these higher structures, Chief Speddy asked the members of City Council to purchase an 85-foot Aerial Truck. With the purchase of this new truck, it was necessary to extend the rear of Engine House No. 1 on Warren Road.

At this time also, the City Fathers decided that the Police Department should have their own quarters, so the property on the west side of Warren Road, just north of Hilliard, was purchased from the Cuyahoga Telephone Co., and was remodeled into the Police Station. By the Police Department moving from the quarters that were shared with the Fire Department, this then afforded plenty of room for the Fire Department to expand.

By the end of 1925, the new addition in the rear of Engine House No. 1 was completed; the new truck made by the American LaFrance Co. was placed in service. This truck was a front-wheel drive and had a Tillerman at the rear of the truck.

With placing the new truck in service, eight new Firemen were added to the rolls of the Fire Department.

1926 also saw a new Service truck placed in service at Engine House No. 1, and the old Service truck purchased in 1914 was sold for scrap. This truck was an American LaFrance.

The year 1926 was the beginning of the Alarm Office. The room at the southeast corner of the second floor of Engine House No. 1 was remodeled into the Alarm Office; wires were strung from factories and locations close to schools into the Alarm Office, and 12 Gamewell Alarm Boxes were installed. Three Firemen were detailed to the Alarm Office to answer the telephone; these Firemen worked eight hours on duty and 16 hours off duty. As the City continued to grow more Alarm Boxes were installed in all parts of the City. Today (1963), we have 267 City Fire Alarm Boxes and 29 Private Alarm Boxes all wired into the Alarm Office on Warren Road.

In 1926, the Civil Service Commission held examinations for the position of Assistant Chief of Fire. After this list was certified, the appointment was made according to rules and regulations, which advanced Capt. C.T. Donnelly to the position of Assistant Chief. Also, in 1926, the positions of Master Mechanic and Electrician were made; the master Mechanic, Fred Roth, was responsible for the maintenance of all motorized equipment owned by the Fire Department; and Raymond McFerron was responsible for the Alarm System and all other wiring in the Fire Department, as Electrician.

1926, by action of the members of City Council, the hours of duty for Firemen were changes from 72 hours on duty and 24 hours off duty to 24 hours on duty and 24 hours off duty. They also provided a two-week vacation with pay for all Firemen having more than one year of service in the Department.

In 1926, the original Pulmotor purchased for Fire Department was sent to Engine House No. 2 and a new H & H Inhalator was purchased for use at Fire Department Headquarters when calls were received requiring oxygen.

In 1926, the members of the City Council purchased the property on the west side of Hopkins Avenue, just south of Detroit Avenue and contracted to have Engine House No. 3 constructed. They also approved sending old Engine No. 3, purchased in 1917, back to the American LaFrance Factory and have it rebuilt; and, when it was returned to Lakewood, it was placed in service at Engine House No. 3. During 1927, two Officers and eight Firemen were transferred from Engine House No. 1 to Engine House No. 3, and then this company was officially in service.

In 1929, old Engine No. 1, purchased in 1917, was sent back to the American LaFrance Co. factory and rebuilt into a 1,000-gallon pumper; and when it was returned to Lakewood in 1930, it became Engine No. 4 and was placed in service at Engine House No. 1 on Warren Road.

Six new Firemen were appointed to fill the ranks with this new Company going into service.

The spring of 1931, Chief Speddy was notified that the Lakewood Fire Department had won the Grand Prize in the National Fire Waste Contest, for all cities regardless of size, and plans were made to send a delegation to Washington, DC, where the award was presented. For 13 years previous to Lakewood receiving the Grand Prize, Lakewood won first place for all cities in the 50-to-100,000 population class.

Lakewood’s record still stands today (1963) as the only city in the United States that has won 13 National Awards in the 50-100,000 class, and one Grand Prize Award for all classes for Fire Prevention programs and activities.

In June of 1931, the Lakewood Fire Department had one Chief, One Assistant Chief, Four Captains, Six Lieutenants and 53 Firemen.

In the fall of 1931, Chief Speddy passed away, and in March of 1932, Captain Charles Delaney became Chief of the Lakewood Fire Department. By action of the Lakewood City Council, the position of Second Assistant Chief was made – this position going to Captain J.V. Redmond.

Chief Delaney was originally appointed to the Fire Department in June of 1917, and had advanced from the position of Fireman 1st Grade, to the rank of Lieutenant and then to Captain.

Assistant Chief Redmond was originally appointed to the Fire Department on January 1, 1917 as a Fireman 1st Grade, and had, over the years, advanced to the position of Lieutenant and then Captain.

In 1937, the members of City Council authorized the purchase of a new 1,000-gallon Pumper for Engine House No. 3 from the American LaFrance Co., costing $13,750.00 Old Engine No. 3 was sold for scrap.

A law passed by the Legislature of the State of Ohio in the spring of 1939 became law on September 6, 1939, requiring the hours of duty per week for firemen in the State of Ohio not exceed 72 hours per week on duty. As a result of this reduction of hours, it became necessary to put Engine Co. No. 4 out of service and use the men detailed to this Company to other Companies to fill the ranks.

In 1942, two-way radios were installed in the Chief’s and Assistant Chief’s cars which enabled them to be in constant communication with the Alarm Office wherever they may be when out of quarters on Department business. Broadcasts were sent out over the police transmitter and return messages also came through the Police Department.

Starting in 1942 and continuing through World War II, the Officers of the Lakewood Fire Department trained civilians for the auxiliary Fire Brigade, and Auxiliary Pumps were assembled and placed in with other fire apparatus in Fire Houses and other public buildings for emergency use.

In 1942, the members of the City Council purchased a new 750-gallon Pumper to replace Engine No. 1 that was placed in service in 1919; and, for the duration of World War II, this old Engine was known as Engine No. 5 and stationed at headquarters on Warren Road. When Engine No. 1 was purchased from the American LaFrance Co., in 1942, the price for this Engine increased from $4,000.00 in 1913 to $10,000.00.

In 1944, the members of the City Council purchased a new Aerial Truck for the Fire Department; this was an American LaFrance, and the main ladder extended to 85 feet. The cost of this truck was $19,000.00. The old Aerial Truck that was purchased in 1926 was sold for scrap.

In 1946, a public address system was installed in all Engine Houses to speed up the transmission of emergency calls and fire alarms.

Also in 1946, World War II was over and the need for keeping Engine No. 5 in emergency services was ended; this Engine was then sold for scrap.

In 1951, the members of City Council purchased a new American LaFrance Aerial Truck for the Fire Department; this also had an 85-foot extension ladder and was known as Truck No. 1. With the delivery of the new truck, the Service Truck purchased in 1926 was taken out of service and sold for scrap. The cost of this new Aerial Truck was $31,537.00.

In March of 1954, Chief Delaney passed away; and, after the Civil Service commission held examinations for the position of Chief and Assistant Chief, Assistant Chief J.V. Redmond was appointed Chief and E.W. Koster was appointed Assistant Chief.

In the spring of 1959, the tops of all fire hydrants in the City of Lakewood were painted with a fluorescent paint; this enabled the Firemen to better locate hydrants at night when needed.

In 1959, Chief Redmond made application to the Federal Communications Commission for a permit to establish a separate transmitter for the Fire Department’s use. This permit was granted and, by the end of 1959, all Fire Department cars and apparatus were equipped with two-way radios and the transmitter was in service.

On a recommendation from the Lakewood Safety Council, the Greater Cleveland Safety Council and Chief J.V. Redmond, the members of City Council passed an ordinance making it mandatory for all schools, sanitariums, day nurseries, and Lakewood Hospital to install a special fire alarm box either in the building or within their property that connected directly up to the Alarm Office of the Fire Department. Lakewood was, at that time, the only suburb in Greater Cleveland with this service.

In January of 1960, an ordinance passed by the City Council reduced the hours per week that Firemen must work from 72 to 63.

In 1961, Lakewood cooperated with Rocky River, Berea, Fairview Park, Westlake, Bay Village and North Olmsted, all being on the same radio frequency, thus each community knew where the other was at all times and were ready to help if necessary. Lakewood had a contract with Rocky River, Fairview Park and Cleveland whereby Lakewood would pay them $95.00 for the first hour we needed them, and $65.00 for each additional hour and vice versa.

In 1963, the City Council voted to purchase a new 1,000-gallon Pumper from the Mack Fire Apparatus Co. to replace Engine No. 3 that was put in service in 1937. This new Engine will be delivered to Lakewood in December 1963 and will be powered by a diesel engine. The cost of this Engine was $24,800.00.

As of September 1963, the Fire Department roster is as follows: One chief, One Assistant Chief, 12 Captains, One Fireman detailed as Department Mechanic, and One Fireman detailed as Department Electrician, and 53 Firemen assigned to regular fire duty.

Chief Redmond planned and directed the “Red I” Program in 1958 to mark all residences in the City of Lakewood where invalid or aged persons resided. Red fluorescent tape was purchased from the Minnesota Mining Co., and cut into strips two inches (2”) wide and four inches (4”) long; two such pieces made one set. One piece of tape was attached to the front door or closed to the door;’ the second piece was attached to the bedroom window where the person or persons slept. In case of fire, the first Fire Company to arrive would check the front of the residence for a “Red I”. If this was located, the members of the company would check the windows of the house until the second “Red I” was located, and through this window the Firemen would enter and carry out person or persons that may be in the room to safety. This program reduced the time a person would be subject to smoke and heat from the fire.

The Lakewood Safety Council, in cooperation with Chief Redmond, organized the Lakewood Jr. Fire Department in 1960. The object of this organization was to teach all the children in the Lakewood Schools how they may help reduce the fire loss in Lakewood by practicing the rules of Fire Prevention.

The Lakewood Jr. Fire Department Officers were selected after taking examinations for the positions of Chief, Assistant Chief and Captains; all other children in the first six grades were appointed regular Firemen. Officers held their positions for one year and then new examinations were held for new Officers.

Every elementary school in Lakewood has a plaque hanging in the main hall of the school, and on each plaque there were metal plates for the names of the children in that school that have held the rank of Captain or higher, and the year in which he or she served. This program has accomplished two things; one, reduce the number of false alarms; and two, reduced the number of fires that children may have been involved in.

Chief Redmond, for many years, has been a strong advocator of teaching Fire Prevention to children as a means of reducing the nation’s fire loss that keeps increasing each year.

The Lakewood Fire Department, in cooperation with the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and the Lakewood Safety Council, continues to plan and promote Fire Prevention programs to reduce fire loss in Lakewood.

The Lakewood Fire Department is credited with being the first Fire Department in the State of Ohio to use tarpaulins at fires to cover contents in any building. This greatly reduces the water damage.

Lakewood is also credited with being the first Fire Department to use one inch (1”) Chemical Hose lines to extinguish fires in the Greater Cleveland area. Thus again, reducing water damage.

In addition to fire calls, the Fire Department answers about 550 calls per year (remember, this was 1963!) of an emergency nature. These calls for assistance come in many categories; helping a person enter his house when he has locked himself out; removing a squirrel or bird from the house; assistance to remove a faulty refrigerator that may be leaking fumes; unlock a bathroom door that a child may have locked himself in; help remove a persons that may be wedged in an automobile after an accident; help locate the odor of smoke somewhere in the house or building; and, most important of all, the call for the Inhalator, when someone is in need of oxygen.

Each year, during September or October, every hydrant in the city is tested and greased, so that they shall be ready for service if needed in the months ahead.

All fire apparatus is checked over thoroughly each morning by the driver to make sure that everything is ready for service when a fire call is received. After a piece of apparatus returns from a fire, all hose that may have been used is removed from the hose box, scrubbed, and placed in the hose tower to dry, and fresh dry hose is placed back into the hose box. The apparatus is then cleaned thoroughly and made ready for the next call.

Firemen in the Department do all the maintenance work necessary to maintain apparatus and buildings to keep them in perfect order and repair.