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The history of Norfolk Fire-Rescue is quite a long one. Fire protection actually
dates back to before the Revolutionary War. The first mention of
fire matters was actually in the form of fire prevention. In 1730,
an Act of Assembly was passed in the City stating that wooden
chimneys were prohibited. An organized fire department was slow in
coming. In 1751, the first engine used for fighting fire was
imported from Newsbam & Rag of White Chapel, London, England. It had
to be filled by buckets and when pumped by four to six men, could
throw a half inch water stream a distance of thirty feet. After the
Revolutionary War there were many privately owned fire engines in
the city, but no organized fire fighting forces.
In 1788, the first organized fire
fighting company was established. Each member was required to have
an ax, two 2 ½ gallon buckets, and a hat with a white painted crown.
In 1797 Robert Archer organized Fire Company No. 1. It was later
known as the Union Fire Company and was headquartered on Main
Street. In 1824, the Phoenix Fire Company was organized and utilized
two suction engines. Water was obtained from street wells and pumped
by using side levers. In 1827, a third company was organized and
called the Franklin Fire Company. These three companies were the
mainstay of fire protection in the City of Norfolk for many years.
In 1846, after a major fire,
improvements in Norfolk's fire protection became necessary. The
Franklin and Phoenix Fire Companies were disbanded and the Hope Fire
Company was founded. Public interest in the fire companies grew
greatly over the years following. Ranks of young men swelled the
fire companies and the city was forced to build new stations on city
owned property. By the end of the Civil War two companies were left
to protect Norfolk from fire, the United Fire Company (formed in
1850) and the Hope Fire Company. Both volunteer companies received
apparatus from the city and funding for supplies. This funding,
however, was not enough to equip the apparatus. Because they had to
compete for funds, rivalries developed between the two companies. In
1871 these rivalries led to a bloody riot in which some men were
killed and many were wounded. The Council was so outraged by the
riots that the volunteer system was disbanded and on December 15,
1871 the Norfolk Fire Department, a professional department, was
inaugurated with Thomas Kevill appointed as Chief Engineer (prelude
to today's Fire Chief).
Over the following years many
stations were built as the City grew. Some notable events include:
1910 The City of Norfolk
placed in service it s first motor-driven fire apparatus. Norfolk
was the first in the State to adopt motorized apparatus.
1919 The two platoon shift
system was put into effect. Fire Fighters would work 12 hours on, 12
hours off, with 24 hours off every fourth day.
1920 The Fire Prevention
Bureau was created.
1921 With the purchase of
five 1,000 gallon motor pumping engines and three aerial trucks, the
last of the horse drawn equipment was taken out of service.
1932 Norfolk firemen
organize Local 373 of the I.A.F.F.
1941 Two way radios are
installed in fire apparatus.
1942 During WWII the Office
of Civilian Defense Auxiliary Fire Department places apparatus in
service in Norfolk's fire stations.
1945 Norfolk Auxiliary Fire
Force disbands.
1947 Resuscitators are
placed in service replacing old inhalators. Scott Air Packs are also
placed in service.
1967 The work week is
reduced from 72 hours per week to 67 hours per week. The first
African-American Professional Fire Fighter, Lyman Snead Jr., entered the department.
1969 Frank Yeiser starts a
private ambulance service in the City of Norfolk. This is an
extension of the Lynchburg, VA. Physicians and Surgeons Ambulance
Service. Prior to this the Police Department provided transportation
to hospitals and the Fire Department co-responded to provide medical
attention.
1970 International
Association of Fire Fighters Local 68 is established.
1971 Physicians and
Surgeons Ambulance Service begins contract with the City of Norfolk
to be the main provider of ambulance services in the city. Norfolk
Fire Department changes uniforms from a Navy style to all dark blue
with shoulder patches. Private ambulance service folds and service
is taken over by the City forming Paramedical Rescue Services (PRS)
with Frank Yeiser remaining on as a consultant.
1973 The United Brotherhood
of Firefighters (UBFF) was formed.
1974 Three platoon system
put into effect in the fire department.
1975 Advanced Life Support
certification is established in the State of Virginia at the EMT-Cardiac
Tech. level.
1979 Don Haupt, newly
appointed Superintendent of the Paramedical Rescue Service, becomes
the first person certified as a Paramedic in the State of
Virginia.
1981 Nightingale Air
Ambulance service begins flying out of Norfolk General Hospital.
Eleven of the first twelve flight paramedics hired for this service
are from Norfolk's PRS.
1981 Norfolk Fire
Department's Hazardous Materials Team placed in service.
1983 Ordinance is passed by
the City forming the Bureau of Paramedical Rescue Services.
1989 Norfolk Fire
Department begins cross-training personnel at the EMT-Shock Trauma
level. These fire fighters are classified as Firefighter/Medics.
The merger of the Norfolk Fire
Department and the Bureau of Paramedical Rescue Services was born
out of necessity. During the Summer of 1989, a small group of EMS
cross-trained fire fighters were teamed up with a paramedic and
utilized to increase the number of ambulances during periods of high
demand. This pilot program was successful enough that it caused city
officials to look more seriously at the possibility of merging the
two departments in order to accommodate the rising call load.
Response times for ambulances were reaching 13 minutes while
remaining around 4 minutes for fire engines. Fire engines were
already co-responding with ambulances on a first responder basis.
With fire personnel cross-training to the EMT-Shock Trauma level,
more ambulances could be placed in service, thus reducing ambulance
response times.
In 1989 a merger committee
was formed to facilitate the merger of the Norfolk Fire Department
and the Paramedical Rescue Services.
On April 9, 1991 the Norfolk
Fire Department and the Bureau of Paramedical Rescue Services begins
its merger into one department, the Norfolk Fire and Paramedical
Services. By November of 1992, all of Norfolk Fire and Paramedical
Services paramedics had completed their firefighter cross-training.
Today, the entry level position for
Norfolk Fire-Resuce requires training to the Firefighter/Medic level.
Further information may be
obtained via e-mail.
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