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Baldwin Fire
Exact day and month unknown. A fire begins in the Baldwin house, the Baldwin Hotel and storage barns destroyed. -
Pend Oreille Hotel Fire
Exact day and month unknown. A fire is started by a drunk kicking over a lantern in the Pend Oreille Hotel. 4 of the 6 largest buildings are burned down. The whole town watched the fire and only 25 people had water buckets to try to stop the fire. Only building left standing wa the Northern Pacific Depot. Population is around 300. -
Great Northern Hotel Fire
Exact day and month unknown. The town burns again after a fire begins in the Great Northern Hotel. The only building left undamaged is the Northern Pacific Depot. -
Demon Fire
At 2pm, the "Demon Fire" started on Bridge Steet and Sandpoint was "doomed and wiped off the face of the earth." The fire started in a hotel and every business on Bridge Street and Railroad Street were destroyed. Most buildings had a barrel of water and buckets on the porches to put out fire. The spread was stopped by the use of dynamite which saved the north side of town. This fire hastened the citizens to move over to the West side of Sand Creek. Population of Sandpoint is 900. -
The need for a Fire Department
Newspapers again call for the "formation of a water system and for the development of a fire department for protection of the businesses and the citizens of Sandpoint." The city leaders called for a meeting of all business leaders and citizens to man and finance a fire department with "the most modern equipment and methods to fight the Demon Fire. The Village of Sandpoint has no system or feasible plan for successfully fighting a fire." -
First fire committee formed.
The first fire committee formed with H.E. Hunt-chairman and A.H.Allen-treasurer. 35 Citizens agreed to be volunteer firemen. -
Fire Department Formed
Fire Department formed with G.R. McDonald-Chief, E.J. Smith-Assistant Chief, Charles Waren- Captain, Firemen were A.H. Allen, H.H. Taylor and H.S. Allen. -
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G. R. McDonald Fire Chief
He was Sandpoint Fire Dept. first fire chief from 1903-1904 -
First Fire Equipment Purchased.
$600 was approved to purchase equpment for fire protection. A small hand drawn chemical fire engine was ordered from the Ajax Fire Company. The Chemical fire engine was capable of a stream of 80 feet. Also the first street light was built and 14 were ordered to light the village at night. L.D. Farmin forms the Sandpoint Water and Light Company. -
First Street Fire
Most of Sandpoint was "wiped off the face of the earth in the second disastrous fire in 4 years." The fire started on the east side of First Street and quickly spread. The heroic effort of a small army of volunteers prevented the spread of the fire to the west and north of town. The chemical engine, fire bucket brigade and wet blankets helped save the day. The east side of town and most of the businesses were destroyed.
Population is 2000. -
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H. H. Taylor Fire Chief
He was the second fire chief from 1904-1904 -
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A. H. Allen Fire Chief
He was the 3rd. fire chief serving from 1904-Feb 1912. He Resigned. -
Fire Whistle Installed
A fire whistle was installed. The SFD did not like it because it sounded the same as the whistle of a steam boat and caused much confusion. The signals were 1 blast- general fire, 2 long blasts- east end of Sand Creek, 3 long blasts- south of Main St., 4 long blasts- north of Main St. -
Brothel Fire
Two frame structures occupied by prostitutes burned down at 3am and were a total lose. An unhappy customer was said to have started the fire and the night watchman discovered the fire and fired 4 shots from his pistol. The whistle alarm was also sounded. The SFD struggled to get the hose wagon and chemical fire engine to fire because of mud and snow on the road. They did not have a horse team and pulled the equipment through the streets by hand. -
Tandy Armory Fire
Tandy Armory was destroyed by fire that was caused by children playing with matches and burned down in 15 minutes. The use of the chemical fire engine and fire hydrants hooked up to hoses stopped the spread of the fire. -
Humbird Sawmill Fire
The Humbird Sawmill burnt to the ground with damage estimated of over $175,000. The fire whistle called all volunteers to fight the fire. Hoses hooked up the fire hydrants and the chemical fire engine successfully kept the fire from spreading into the north of Sandpoint. They did this by keeping the ground wet and putting out small fires caused by the embers. -
Purchase of Nash Fire Engine
The city council decides to purchase a motorized two ton Nash truck for $2402 for a hose wagon feeling that this would be less expensive than caring for two horses. They admitted that they may still have to lease two horses on occasion because of the mud and snow. The new pumper will add 10-15 lbs. of pressure to the hose line. -
Purchase of Silsby Chemical Fire Engine
Buffalo Pitts Company in Spokane offered to sell a used Silsby Chemical Fire Engine for $600. Also approved was for a two horse team to be purchased. The City Stables will assist in aquiring the two horse team, board the horses, and build a new hose wagon. They also would provide a driver to care for and drive the new fire engine. In addition quarters for two firemen to sleep.
Population 2000 -
Purchased hose wagon
A hose sleigh wagon was built and purchased for $200 along with a team of two horses. -
New Fire Station
The rebuilt Tandy Building was leased for $25/month to serve as a fire station for all equipment, horse team, and rooms for the firemen to sleep. Tandy building is on First Ave. next to the VFW Building. -
Firefighter Pay
The Sandpoint Council approved fireman pay as follows: 5 members required to stay at the fire station for $10/month; $2.50 for reporting and running on a fire alarm lasting less than 1 hour; $5 for alarms lasting longer than 2 hrs; $5 for hitching and driving the two horse team during the day and $10 for a night time fire. (This is the first mention of paying the firemen.) -
New Fire Alarm Whistle
The council approves of a new fire alarm whistle to notify the fire department. The Signals are as follows: 1 long blast - general fire alarm; 2 short blasts - fire on east side of Sand Creek; 3 short blasts - fire south of Main St.; 4 short blasts - fire north of Main St.; 5 short blasts - fire is extinguished. -
Alarm Boxes Purchased
The city approves $4000 for Signal Phone Company to install a fire alarm system consisting of 27 alarm boxes and all necessary equipment. "The Signal Phone Company is better and less expensive than the Gamewell Alarm system". A switch board will be placed at both the police and fire station. A person will man the switch board at all times. -
1910 Humbird Lumber Yard Fire
The Humbird Lumber yard was completely destroyed with a financial loss of over $350,000. Dynamite was used to stop the fire from spreading into the city. The fire department saved the city using 12 hose lines spread through out the city to put out fires. Along with that, wet blankets, bucket brigades and keeping the groud we were also implimented. The SFD lost 12 shovels and 1000 ft. of hose and sent the bill to Humbird to replace them.
Population 2993 -
Firefighter Pay
The city agrees to hire a full time fire chief at $80/month to live at the station and a fireman at $75/month to live at the station and care for the horse team. They would have no days off and be responsible for the equipment. -
New Fire Station
The fire deparment moves into the new city hall building located at 110 Main St. -
Proposal to combine Fire and Police
The city council proposed to do away with the fire department and combine it wth the police. The largest attendance at any meeting in Sandpoint occured. The insurance company objected and stated the insurance rates would immediatly be raised. It was a close vote (5-4) with the mayor breaking the tie by voting to retain the fire department. -
3rd. Fireman hired
A third person was hired at $75/month. His duties would be to act as a fireman, special policeman, and janitor for City Hall. The volunteers could continue to reside free at the fire station and would be paid if they attended a fire. -
SFD threaten to disband.
The SFD petitioned the city council to provide adequate pay, equipment, and a team of horses available at all times at the fire station. The SFD threatened to disband. -
Silver Club Fire
Four square blocks fo the business district burned to the ground after a fire began at 2am in the back of the Silver Club on First Ave. The fire whistle failed and time was lost getting firefighters together. William Zinter was the hero of the day bringing the chemical fire engine, by hand, to First and Church. Zinter was on the nozzle and Herb Allen ran the fire engine. It took six fire streams, the fire engine, and 3 hours to bring under control. Loss to the city was valued at $41,000. -
Resignation
Some of the city council felt that the SFD was asking too much and blackmailing the city. Chief Allen and the members of the SFD resigned in protest. -
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Chas E. Spoor Fire Chief
He was the 4th. fire chief serving from Feb 1904-5 May 1913. He was fired. -
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Sherman Young Fire Chief
He was the 5th. fire chief and served from 5 May 1913-2 Aug 1915. Mayor Hines and the city council refused to most of the demands of the fire insurance companies' and Chief Young resigned in protest stating the insurance rates would rise 20%. -
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J. W. Fitzgerald Fire Chief
He was the 6th. fire chief and served from 16 Aug 1915- 2 Jan 1917 and was fired by Mayor Hines. -
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Charles H. Hutchins Fire Chief
He was the 7th fire chief and served from 7 May 1917 - 15 Jul 1918. He resigned. -
Front Street Fire
Will add photo soon. -
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L. Wilkins Fire Chief
He was the 8th. fire chief and served from Aug 1918- May 1919. He resigned. -
City purchases new Fire Engine
The City Council purchases a two ton motorized Nash fire hose and ladder truck with solid rubber tires. They admit that arrangements need to be made to have a horse team readily available for times when the roads are impassible due to mud and/or snow. -
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Cyril Wilcox Fire Chief
He was the 9th. fire chief and served from 5 May 1919 - 19 Jan 1920. He resigned. -
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George F. Buchanan Fire Chief
He was the 10th. fire chief and served from 2 Feb 1920 - 16 May 1921. -
Budget for 1920
The budget for the SFD is $3500 including $100/month to have a two horse team and driver at the fire station. -
Boat Dock Fire
The boat dock caught fire because unsafe use of fire works. Chief Buchanan stated that 1550 ft of hose line is needed to reach the fire. -
Sommers Match Factory Fire
The Sommers Match Factory goes up in smoke. The whole block of buildings and two railroad cars are destroyed with a value of $27,500. The city fire whistle failed and the Humbird lumber yard turned loose their big siren calling all the firemen. Several hundred people observed the fire and interfered with the SFD to get to the fire. The SFD were successful to stopping the spread of the fire into the city by putting out any fires started by embers. Damage was estimated at over $10,000. -
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W. P. Francis Fire Chief
He was the 11th. fire chief and served from 16 May 1921 - 16 Apr 1925. -
Complaints
The women of Sandpoint complained about the men of the SFD to the city council. They are the janitors of the building. There is only one door from the fire department to the city hall and this goes through the women's rest room. Otherwise they would have to go around outside to get to the city hall. The firemen would interrupt the women in the rest room and they demanded the door be walled up and a new door put somewhere. -
Liberty Theater Fire
The Liberty Theater at the corner of 2nd. Ave. and Church was destroyed by fire with the financial loss of $16,000. The motorized fire engine pored water on the fire but it was too far gone. The SFD did prevent the spread of the fire by the chief calling in the large chemical fire engine. The horses were going too fast and turned over going around the corner throwing the chief to the ground and breaking his wrist. Two electric poles were destroyed and the city experienced a blackout. -
W. G. Kuehl new fire chief
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W. G. Kuehl Fire Chief
He was the 12th. fire chief and served from 16 Apr 1925 - 1 Sept. 1942 -
Sandpoint Fire Department Band
The SFD Band shown along with a fire engine and the old chemical fire engine. Chief Kuehl is sitting in the passenger seat. Unknown the actual date but I figured it was the 4th. of July parade. -
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Clarence H. Lansing Fire Chief
He was the 13th. fire chief and served from 1 Sept. 1942 - 3 Oct 1945. -
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L. E. Stanley Fire Chief
He was the 14th. fire chief and served from 3 Oct. 1945 - 1 Mar. 1946. He resigned. -
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Claude Simon Fire Chief
He was the 15th. fire chief and served from 1 Mar. 1946 - 4 May 1953 -
Purchased 1946 Seagrave Fire Engine
In 1946, the fire department bought the Seagrave Fire Engine for $12,500. The Chief at the time was Claude Simon. -
Purchased 1948 American Le France Fire Engine
In 1948 the fire department bought an American Le France Fire Engine for $10,000. The chief was Claude Simon. -
Arthur Chubb new Fire Chief
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Authur Chubb Fire Chief
He was the 16th. fire chief and served from 4 May 1953 - 14 Feb. 1972. -
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Wade Brown Fire Chief
He was the 17th. fire chief and served from 14 Feb. 1972 -28 Sept. 1984 -
Robert Tyler was hired
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Gary O. Tokle Fire Chief
He was the 18th. fire chief and served from 28 Nov. 1984 - 7 Sept. 1985. He resigned. -
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Joe Venishnick Fire Chief
He was the 19th. fire chief and served from 7 Sept. 1985 - 21 Oct 1985. -
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Don Keck Fire Chief
He was the 20th. fire chief and served from 21 Oct 1985 - 1996 -
Mick Adams was hired
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Jake Hilton was hired
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Bill Kice Public Safety Director
He was the 21st. fire chief and the first (PSD) Public Safety Director for the city of Sandpoint. He served from 1996-1999 -
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Bob Wright Fire Chief
He was the 22nd. fire chief and served from 1999 - 1 Aug 2000 -
Kevin Amorebieta was hired
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Troy Badeaux was hired
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Robert Tyler new fire chief
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Robert Tyler Fire Chief
He is the 23rd. fire chief and served from 1 Aug 2000 - current. -
Allo Pucci was hired
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Michael Gow was hired
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Glen Cassidy was hired
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Clint Frank was hired
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Britian Whitley was hired
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Traders Building Supply Structure Fire
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Operation ROAD TRIP
Operation ROADTRIP was an operation that involved many agencies and a multitude of different Fire/Police/USAR training at the old Lakeside Inn. The even was a month long. -
New fire engine 1121
