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Seattle Fire Department Marine Fire Protection Project Records, 1972-1980

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Seattle (Wash.). Fire Dept.
Title
Seattle Fire Department Marine Fire Protection Project Records
Dates
1972-1980 (inclusive)
Quantity
2 cubic feet, (5 boxes)
Collection Number
2801-14
Summary
Records documenting the Seattle Fire Department's Marine Fire Protection Project.
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.
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Historical Note

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.

The Marine Fire Protection Project was established in 1973 to create a fire-safe environment for shipboard personnel, protect port facilities and the maritime economy, reduce the potential for large marine fires and environmental damage, provide highly trained personnel for ship fires, and encourage the fire service and the maritime community to cooperate in marine fire protection efforts. The first two years of active operation were funded by a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Commerce, State of Washington, and Seattle Fire Department. After this period, the project relied on funds donated by the marine industry. The budget restraints within the City of Seattle, combined with the lack of a permanent funding source, forced termination of the program on June 30, 1977.

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Content Description

The Marine Fire Protection Project Records include correspondence, minutes, detailed planning documents, and daily and monthly reports. Records cover the early planning phases of the project through its execution and eventually its discontinuation. Topics include education, training, equipment, budgets, and procedures. The records document the cooperative efforts among the ports, cities, state and federal institutions during the project.

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Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

[Item and date], Marine Fire Protection Project Records , Record Series 2801-14. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.

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Administrative Information

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Detailed Description of the Collection

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

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Emergency drills--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Emergency management--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Fire fighters--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Fire prevention--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Harbors--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Marine terminals--Washington (State)--Seattle

Corporate Names

  • Seattle (Wash.). Fire Dept.
  • Port of Seattle
  • United States. Dept. of Commerce

Geographical Names

  • Seattle (Wash.)

Finding aid prepared by Jitka Mlsova Chmelikova and Julie Kerssen
2010

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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