1857 Justifiably Proud

07/20/2026

On this day, July 20, 1962, the city ordered a new type of apparatus called “the greatest advancement in firefighting since the aerial ladder.” The apparatus was called a Snorkel and it had an 85-foot, crane-like device mounted on a truck. It could lift firemen eight stories high and shoot water into burning buildings at high levels. It was considered a bargain to purchase at $42,420. They were in service by 1963.

07/18/2026

On July 17th, 1969, St. Louis firemen threatened to refuse to respond to the Pruitt-Igoe public housing projects unless the city gave them adequate police protection. The firefighters union demanded that something be done to stop the “harassment and bodily injury” to firemen answering calls in the projects. The firemen said they had been shot at, had rolling pins, bottles, bicycle handlebars, a wringer from a washing machine and an assortment of other items hurled at them while fighting blazes there.

07/16/2026

Engine house #6 on north 9th street. Built 1901-1902 at a cost of $35,000, opened in May of 1902. In this picture:
Engine Co. 6 1926 Ahrens Fox, 1300 GPM pumper-shop #273
Shias #1-1947 International type k8-shop #4
FD canteen #1- 1935 Studebaker-shop #1
Photo was taken in 1951 during the Missouri Valley Fire Chiefs Convention
Credit: Phil Nauman

07/06/2026

Salvage corp annual report from 1954 and two great photos of the Salvage Corp in front of their engine houses in 1947.

07/04/2026

Have a Happy and safe 4th of July to all of you and your families, and Happy 250th Birthday America. For those of you on duty today, stay safe out there so you can make it home after your shift, God Bless.

07/02/2026

Some of the old shop and fuel trucks.

06/21/2026

Sorry it’s late but I just wanted to wish all the dads a very Happy and safe Father’s Day. If you are working, please stay safe so you can make it home to your families in the morning.

06/07/2026

On this day in 2017, Chief Neil Svetanics passed away. Chief worked hard to transform our department to one of the best in the country and introduced the quint Firetruck concept to the City. Chief was a U.S. Marine, Fire Chief and proud family man. R.I.P. sir.

06/04/2026