Seattle Fire Department Public Information Officer Records

Seattle Fire Department Public Information Officer Records, 1915-1993

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Seattle (Wash.). Fire Dept.
Title: Seattle Fire Department Public Information Officer Records
Dates: 1915-1993 (inclusive)
19151993

1964-1993 (bulk)
19641993
Quantity: 4.4 cubic feet, (13 boxes)
Collection Number: 2801-15
Summary: Records from the Seattle Fire Department's Public Information Office.
Repository: Seattle Municipal Archives
Seattle Municipal Archives
Office of the City Clerk
City of Seattle
PO Box 94728
98124-4728
Seattle, WA
Telephone: 2062337807
Fax: 2063869025
archives@seattle.gov
Access Restrictions: Records are open to the public.
Languages: English
Sponsor: Funding for processing this record series was provided through a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

A Fire Department was established by City Charter in 1883. It provided for equipment purchases, but not for hiring of firefighters. Following the Great Fire of 1889, a professional fire department was created with five district fire stations and purchase of a fire boat. The first Fire Chief of the professional department was Gardner Kellogg who served 1890-1892 and 1895-1901. A Board of Fire Commissioners was established by the 1890 City Charter to prescribe rules and regulations for the Department. The Board's responsibilities included enforcing rules violations, and appointing the Fire Chief and all subordinate officers. The Board was abolished with passage of a new City Charter in 1896. The position of Fire Marshall was established in 1901 with responsibility for inspecting buildings to insure they were in compliance the ordinances related to building construction and fire protection. The Fire Marshall also inspects all fires and reports on the causes. The Department's mission is to curtail loss of life and property by fire through inspection and certification of building safety systems, public education, regulation of hazardous material storage, and fire suppression.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Records from the Public Information Officer documenting the activities of the Seattle Fire Department from the 1960s through the late 1980s. The collection includes press releases dating from the 1960s through the 1980s, graduation ceremony programs and planning records, fire station dedication and rededication records, as well as memos from various fire chiefs, citizen complaints and responses, and information on fire safety films. Of particular interest are records pertaining to the investigation and subsequent arrest of Paul Kenneth Keller for various arson fires in 1992-1993. This series also includes promotional activity between the SFD and the Seattle Sounders soccer team from the early 1980s, as well as records from the Seattle Fire Buff Society, the Forward Thrust campaign and a letter from the public relations division to Mrs. Gordon Vickery, the wife of Chief Vickery.

Three early 20th century photographs (ca. 1915) are also included in the collection, showcasing apparatus and firefighters. One photograph is identified as having been taken on Third Avenue and Pine Street, near the Fischer Building. Also of interest are photographs of training activities, women in the fire department, photographic portraits of Chiefs Frank Hanson, Jack Richards and Claude Harris, construction of stations 19, 29 and 36, and fire boat photographs and negatives, as well as night inspections of downtown alleyways and business from the 1960s.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

[Item and date], Seattle Fire Department Public Information Officer Records, Record Series 2801-15 . Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Separated Materials

Publications were removed and added to the Published Documents collection.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

2801-15: Seattle Fire Department Public Information Officer Records, 1915-1993Return to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
1/1	Applicants	1969
1/2	Apparatus Display Memos	1988-1989
1/3	Arson	1992
1/4	Arson	1992
1/5	Arson	1992
1/6	Arson	1992
1/7	Arson	1993
1/8	Arson	1993
1/9	Arson - Newspaper Clippings	1993
1/10	Arson - Seattle Magazine Article	1993
2/1	Arson - North End	1987
2/2	Arson - Paul Kenneth Keller	1993
2/3	Arson - View Ridge	1987
2/4	Bic, Inc. - Windsurfers	1985
2/5	Centennial Ball Program	1989
2/6	Central Heights Annexation	1984-1985
2/7	City University - Fire Service Administration Specialty Bachelor of Science	1984
2/8	Commendation and Appreciation Letters from Fire Chief	1986-1989
2/9	Complaints	1985-1987
2/10	Complaints	1986
2/11	Complaints	1987
2/12	Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) Materials	1987
2/13	Correspondence to Mrs. Gordon Vickery	1964
2/14	Environmental Coordinating Committee	1986
2/15	Environmental Coordinating Committee	1987
2/16	Environmental Coordinating Committee	1983-1987
3/1	Environmental Information Hotline	1985
3/2	Fire Department Inspection Questionnaire	1965
3/3	Fire Department Statistics	1988
3/4	Fire Safety Films/Photographs Correspondence	1964-1971
3/5	Fire Station #32 Dedication	1967
3/6	Fire Station #32 Dedication - Newspaper Clipping	1967
3/7	Fire Station #25 Dedication	1970
3/8	Fire Station Nos. 11 and 20 Dedication	1971
3/9	Fire Station Nos. 11 and 20 Dedication - Newspaper Clipping	1971
3/10	Fire Station #26 Dedication	1973
3/11	Fire Station #31 Dedication	1975
3/12	Fire Station #18 Dedication	1975
3/13	Fireboat Display Memos	1987-1989
3/14	Fireman's Appreciation Day - Kiwanis	1968
3/15	Forward Thrust	1967-1968
3/16	Forward Thrust - Newspaper Clippings	1967-1968
3/17	Frank Hanson Retirement Party	1973
4/1	General Correspondence	1965-1969
4/2	General Correspondence - Newspaper Clipping	1965-1969
4/3	General Correspondence	1970-1971
4/4	General Correspondence	1970-1971
4/5	General Correspondence	1970-1971
4/6	General Correspondence - Fire Chief	1985
4/7	General Correspondence - Fire Chief	1986
4/8	General Correspondence - Fire Chief	1987
4/9	General Correspondence - Fire Chief	1988
4/10	General Correspondence - Fire Chief	1988
5/1	General Correspondence - Fire Chief	1988-1989
5/2	Graduation Ceremonies - August 19	1967
5/3	Graduation Ceremonies - February 3	1968
5/4	Graduation Ceremonies - July 13	1968
5/5	Graduation - January 11	1969
5/6	Graduation - April 12	1969
5/7	Graduation - August 1	1969
5/8	Graduation - January 17	1970
5/9	Graduation - July 18	1970
5/10	Graduation, 18th Class - January 16	1971
5/11	Graduation, 20th Class - May 22	1971
5/12	Graduation, 22nd Class - June 21	1971
5/13	Graduation, 22st Class - August 28	1971
5/14	Graduation Ceremonies - January 8	1972
5/15	Graduation, 23rd Class - April 22	1972
5/16	Graduation, 24th Class - July 29	1972
5/17	Graduation, 25th Class - Novemeber 18	1972
5/18	Graduation, 26th Class - April 21	1973
5/19	Graduation, 27th Class - June 16	1973
6/1	Graduation, 28th Class - September 1	1973
6/2	Graduation, 28th Class - September 1 - Newspaper Clipping	1973
6/3	Graduation, 29th Class - January 19	1974
6/4	Graduation, 30th Class - April 27	1974
6/5	Graduation, 31st Class - October 25	1975
6/6	Graduation, 32nd Class - October 2	1976
6/7	Graduation, 33rd Class - September 10	1977
6/8	Graduation, 34th Class - May 6	1978
6/9	Graduation, 35th Class - December 9	1978
6/10	Graduation, 36th Class - April 5	1980
6/11	Graduation, 37th Class - October 18	1980
6/12	Graduation, 38th Class - February 28	1981
6/13	Graduation, 39th Class - June 30	1981
6/14	Graduation, 40th Class - October 26	1981
6/15	Graduation, 41st Class - September 17	1982
6/16	Graduation, 42nd Class - May 6	1983
6/17	Hazardous Materials Information	1988
6/18	Hazardous Materials Unit Information	1982
6/19	Hazardous Waste Subcommittee	1987
6/20	International Associationof Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Correspondence	1970
6/21	John E. Philbin Retirement Party	1974
6/22	Letter Recommending Steven Sanislo for Elemetary School Name	1966
6/23	Marine Fire Protection Pilot Project	1974-1980
7/1	Marine Firefighting Materials	1988
7/2	Medic II	1973
7/3	Medic II	1980
7/4	Medic One	1976
7/5	Medic One - The First Six Years	1976
7/6	Medic One - Good Samaritan Law	1975
7/7	Medic One Film - "Second Chance to Live"	1976
7/8	Memos from Assistant Fire Chief	-
7/9	National Articles	1965-1988
7/10	National Fire Protection Association - Magazine Clippings	1966
7/11	National Recruiting Brochures	1966
7/12	Northwest Burn Foundation	1986-1987
7/13	Northwest Burn Foundation	1987-1988
7/14	Northwest Burn Foundation - General Information	1987
7/15	Northwest Police and Fire Olympics	1985
7/16	Northwest Senior Center Event Invitation	1986
7/17	Orthopedic Hospital Auction	1984
7/18	Ozark Hotel Fire	1970
8/1	Pacific Medical Center	1983
8/2	Parade Permits	1984
8/3	Parametrix, Inc. Study - Piers 90-91 (Navy)	1983-1984
8/4	Phone Book Collection	1983
8/5	PIO Quarterly Planning Program Memos	1985-1987
8/6	Poison Control Center	1985-1986
8/7	Polk Directory	1984
8/8	Post-Mortem Protocol	1982-1983
8/9	Press Releases	1964
8/10	Press Releases - Newspaper Clipping - Roosevelt High Students Rescue Child	1964
8/11	Press Releases	1965
8/12	Press Releases - Radio and T.V. Spots	1965-1966
8/13	Press Releases	1966
8/14	Press Releases	1967
8/15	Press Releases	1967
8/16	Press Releases	1968
8/17	Press Releases - Newspaper Clipping - Todd Shipyard Fire	1968
8/18	Press Releases	1969-1970
9/1	Press Releases	1970
9/2	Press Releases	1971
9/3	Press Releases	1971-1973
9/4	Press Releases	1974-1976
9/5	Press Releases	1977-1980
9/6	Press Releases	1981-1987
9/7	Project Seattle Outreach to Sudan	1985-1986
9/8	Raffle Request for Medic One	1983
9/9	Rainier Tower Sculpture	1983
9/10	Raquetball Tournament	1981-1984
9/11	Recruitment Materials	1964-1980
9/12	RIX Air Compressor	1965
10/1	Salvation Army - Emergency Disaster Service	1987
10/2	Savings Bonds	1982
10/3	Scout Show Pole Slide Tickets	1983-1984
10/4	Seattle Fire Buff Society	1984-1988
10/5	Seattle Fire Buff Society Handbook	1982
10/6	Seattle Fire Buff Society Handbook	1982
10/7	Seattle Housing Authority - Senior Housing	1983
10/8	Seattle Sounders - Fire Department Trading Cards	1980-1983
10/9	Seattle Sounders - Fire Department Trading Cards - Newspaper Clippings	1980-1983
10/10	Seattle University Students' Study - Organizational Behavior	1983
10/11	Senior Citizen Assistance	1983
10/12	Sign Amnesty Day	1982-1987
10/13	Small Business Administration Federal Disaster Assistance	1983
10/14	Stuart Bradley Company - Complaints re: "Fire and Home Safety Manuals"	1985
10/15	Suggestion Award Board	1984
10/16	Support-A-Child Auction	1983-1986
10/17	Toyota Pickup Program	1983
10/18	Washington Burn Fund	1984
10/19	Washington Burn Fund - Newspaper Clipping	1984
10/20	Water Department - Conservation Plan	1984
10/21	Waterfront Park Proposal	1984
10/22	Western Fire Journal - Seattle Fire Department Article	1982-1983
11/1	Prints - Air Room	1965
11/2	Prints - Apparatus Assembly - Kentworth Motor Truck Company	1967
11/3	Prints and Slides - Apparatus	1965-1986
11/4	Prints - Apparatus #322 - American La France Elevated Platform	1969-1970
11/5	Prints and Slides - Fire Boat	1965-1985
11/6	Prints - Correspondence with Photos from Venice, Italy	1987
11/7	Prints - Equipment	1968-1972
11/8	Prints and Slides - Firefighter Personnel	1965-1985
11/9	Prints and Slides - Firefighters at Work	1965-1983
11/10	Print - Fire Station #26 Dedication [Box 3]	1973
11/11	Prints - Fire Station #18 Dedication [Box 3]	1975
11/12	Prints - Fire Station Rededications, Nos. 6, 25, 31, 36 and 41	1965-1987
11/13	Print - Graduation, 37th Class [Box 6]	1980
11/14	Prints and Contact Sheets - Miscellaneous	1965-1989
11/15	Prints - Night Inspections - Identified	1968
11/16	Prints - [Night Inspections - Unidentified]	1965
11/17	Print - Northwest Burn Foundation [Box 7]	1986
11/18	Prints - Station #18	1971
11/19	Station #19 - Survey and Site Location	1969-1970
11/20	Prints - Station #19 Site Location	1969
11/21	Prints - Station #25 Water Leaks	1970
11/22	Prints - Station #25 Door Accident	1980
11/23	Prints - Station #29 Under Construction	1970
11/24	Prints - Station #36	1970-1972
11/25	Prints - Station #40 Interior	1965
11/26	Prints - Training	1964-1970
12/1	Negatives - Apparatus	1965-1986
12/2	Negatives - Equipment	1980
12/3	Negatives - Firefighters at Work	1965-1985
12/4	Negatives - Firefighter Personnel	1980
12/5	Negatives - Fire Station Rededications, Nos. 2, 8, 9, 13, 14, 17, 28, 37, 38 and 39	1970-1989
12/6	Negatives - Miscellaneous	1965-1989
12/7	Negatives - Night Inspections - Identified	1967-1969
12/8	Negatives - Seattle Sounders - Fire Department [Box 9]	1980
12/9	Negatives - Station #19 Work Progress, Site Location	1970-1971
12/10	Negatives - Station #36 Work Progress	1970-1972
12/11	Negatives - Training	1968-1983
13/1	Command Car Lesson Plan	1970
13/2	Prints - Command Car Lesson Plan	1970
13/3	Emergency Breathing Air - NOAA Facility Operating Instructions	1984
13/4	Prints - Emergency Breathing Air - NOAA Facility Operating Instructions	1984
13/5	Ladder Nozzle, Elk 750 RC Instructions	1968
13/6	Prints - Ladder Nozzle, Elk 750 RC Instructions	1968
13/7	Mobile Air Station Operating Instructions	1980
13/8	Prints - Mobile Air Station Operating Instructions	1980
13/9	Recording - 4815 S. Graham Street	1989
13/10	Station 10 Air Room Operating Instructions	1980
13/11	Prints - Station 10 Air Room Operating Instructions	1980

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Arson--Washington (State)--Seattle
Fire chiefs--Washington (State)--Seattle
Fire engines--Washington (State)--Seattle
Fire fighters--Washington (State)--Seattle

Corporate Names

Seattle (Wash.). Fire Dept.

Geographical Names

Seattle (Wash.).

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