On April 1, 1909, Otto F. Romann, Cleveland Heights Water Commissioner was appointed Chief of the fire department. Fire Department equipment at this time consisted of one horse drawn combination ladder and hose wagon and several hand- drawn hose reels located in strategic sites throughout the village.
Water pressure depended on the pressure in the water mains as the apparatus was not equipped with pumps. The first fire house was located on Mayfield Rd. at Ridgefield. It was a city hall, police station and a fire station.
This original Fire Department equipment was replaced in 1914 with the purchase of a rebuilt Peerless automobile which had been converted into a combination chemical-hose apparatus. A civilian was hired to operate the apparatus.
In 1917 an American LaFrance Combination ladder/chemical/hose apparatus was purchased and because the absence of volunteer firemen qualified to drive any motor vehicle, a civilian was hired to operate the apparatus.
The first full-time fireman was employed in 1919. In that year the CHFD personnel consisted of the Fire Chief, one full-time fireman, one civilian driver/ operator, and twenty volunteer firemen.
In 1920 the second and third full-time firemen were employed by the village.
In 1921 an American LaFrance 750gpm combination chemical/ pumper/ hose apparatus was purchased. This was the first time fire department personnel could regulate pumping pressures thus not being restricted by pressures in the water mains.
In 1922 a second American LaFrance 750gpm combination chemical/ pumper/ hose apparatus was purchased and three additional firemen were hired. In 1923 three more firemen were hired and in 1924 personnel strength was increased with the employment of five more firemen. During this period firemen worked a three platoon schedule: 72 hours on duty and 24 hours off.
In the latter part of 1924, the use of volunteer firemen was discontinued bringing the end to the era of volunteers in the CHFD.
In 1924 a new City Hall was built. It housed the police department and the Fire Station No.1.
On January 4, 1925 the fire department responded to its first major fire involving a 60 suite apartment at the intersection of Kenilworth and Overlook roads. Due to the limited number of firemen in the department, the Cleveland Fire Department was requested to assist in fighting the fire. After this fire the city administration recognized the need to increase fire department personnel strength.
In 1925, six firemen were appointed to the Fire Department and again the appointment of four more firemen in 1926 increased the number of personnel to one chief, an assistant chief, one captain, one lieutenant and twenty-one firemen.
In 1928, four firemen were added to the personnel roster.
In 1929, Fire Station No.2, located at 2595 Noble Rd. was opened and one, 1000 gpm American La France combination chemical pumper and hose apparatus was purchased and placed into service. With the appointment of six new firemen, the total personnel strength had grown to thirty-five.
In 1930, Fire Station No. 3, located at 3216 Silsby Road, was dedicated and one, 750gpm American La France combination chemical pumper and hose apparatus and one 85 ft. America La France ladder truck were purchased and placed into service.
This was the first aerial ladder truck purchased for the Fire Department. A total of forty-six personnel were reached with appointment of 11 more firemen. At the time, the fire apparatus consisted of one 750gpm American La France pumper, a chemical and hose apparatus, one American La France combination ladder-chemical-hose apparatus and a chief’s car at Fire Station No. 1. One 750gpm American La France pumper was assigned at Fire Station No. 2 and one 1000gpm American La France pumper and one 85ft. aerial ladder truck were housed at FireStation No. 3.
From 1930 to 1946, two firefighters were employed stabilizing the personnel count to forty-eight.
In 1939, the Fire Department began a “two platoon” schedule working 24 hours on and 24 hours off duty. In that same year, the Fire Prevention Bureau was organized and one firefighter was placed in charge.
In 1941, one 65 ft. American La France combination aerial ladder and pumper was purchased to replace the 1917 American La France combination ladder-chemical-hose apparatus.
The Kelley Day Law was passed by ordinance by city council in 1943 which entitled the Fire Department personnel to an extra day off every eight working day. But the ordinance was not put into effect until May 15th, 1946 because of the acute manpower shortage brought on by World War II. During the war period, civilians were, again, hired to overcome the manpower shortage.
In 1943, the Cleveland Heights Fire Insurance Classification was lowered from Class 5 to Class 4.
With the hiring of thirteen additional firefighters in 1946, the Kelly Day law was put into effect. Total personnel had now reached 61.
From 1947 to 1950, four firefighters were employed bringing the total to sixty-five personnel.
On January 11, 1948 the City of Cleveland Heights Fire Department suffered its first line of duty death. At 3:20am Firefighter Kenneth Diehl was the tiller operator of ladder truck 2 that responded to a fire call on Derbyshire Road. Firefighter Diehl suffered a heart attack while at the scene. Firefighter Diehl was an eighteen year veteran of the Fire Department
In 1948, three 750 gpm American La France pumpers were purchased and replaced older equipment.
In 1949, all Fire Department apparatus was equipped with three-way radio receivers using the police department radio frequency.
In 1950, during one of the heaviest snow storms of the decade, the side streets were impassable for the better part of a week. During this time, the citizens of Cleveland Heights responded to a request for toboggans and other sledding equipment. These toboggans and sleds were used to take firefighting equipment from the main streets to the site of the fire. It was during this period that the fire department experienced several severe fires in residences.
One rescue squad was purchased in 1953 and released a pumper which had been used for rescue and life saving duties.
On January 31, 1953 The Fire Department suffered its second line of duty death. On this date a Cleveland Heights fire engine was responding to a fire alarm with six firefighters on board. While traveling on Cedar Road near the intersection of Stillman Road the fire engine struck two automobiles and ended up crashing into St. Ann’s church. Firefighter Chester Horning was killed when he was thrown from the fire truck. A driver of one of the automobiles was also killed. Five other firefighters were injured.
In 1956, one, 100ft. aerial ladder truck was purchased to replace the 1930, 85ft. aerial ladder truck.
In 1960, the firefighter’s hours were reduced from a 72 hour work week to a 63 hour work week which included an extra day off every fourth working day. Three firefighters were appointed to the Fire Department making the total 68.
In 1961 an addition was made to Fire Station 1. The one story addition housed the kitchen, alarm office, recreation room and garage to maintain the fire apparatus.
In 1962, the Fire Department was equipped with new three-way radio equipment and was placed on the county-wide, Fire Department radio wave length band. Twenty-five police-fire emergency telephone call boxes were installed throughout the city giving the public direct access to the police and fire departments.
In 1965, a new rescue squad was purchased and placed in service to replace the old 1953 rescue squad.
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