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Historical February–March 2019 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
I have been asked to share some of the history of Engine Company #30 with our Times readers. Well here goes. Originally fire protection for the City of St. Louis was provided by several volunteer fire companies. Because of several different factors, these volunteer fire companies were reorganized into a paid fire department. Thus in 1857, the St. Louis Fire Department was established making it the second paid fire department in the nation following Cincinnati, Ohio.
The St. Louis Fire Department started out small but increased in size over the years. At one time, the department boasted 56 engine companies, 23 hook and ladder companies, 9 hose wagons, and assorted other equipment.
These companies were organized into 10 fire districts. One of those engine companies was Engine #30.
This company was organized in 1892 and was located at 5524 Vernon Avenue. That was the beginning of what remains today a very impressive fire company. Engine Company #30 was originally a horse drawn unit, but by 1915 was operating a motorized Robinson fire engine.
The Robinson could pump 900 gallons of water per minute. That was a considerable amount of water to throw on a fire in that day. Interestingly, Robinson fire engines were built in St. Louis.
On June 4, 1946, Engine #30 was involved in a collision with a bus at Clara and Waterman. Fireman Thomas Anderson and Fireman John Briggs were killed in the accident. Over the years, several firefighters have been injured while serving on the company, but Anderson and Briggs are the only members who have lost their lives. May their souls rest in peace.
The Engine Company moved to new quarters in 1957.
The firehouse is still active today and is located at 541 DeBaliviere Avenue. Why not stop in, take a look around, and tell the firefighters hello?
They may brew a fresh pot of coffee for you. That’s what we did when I worked there. Editors’ Note: You can also greet and thank firefighters at the annual SDCC Police/Firefighters Lunch on February 15 at the SDCC office. “Fireman Frank” and Bob Pauley, StLFD, History Curator have been invited to attend, as well.
Original photograph caption
Nineteen seventy seven photo shows Howe twelve hundred fifty gallon per minute pumper, painted yellow. Left to right: Captain Kenneth Beekman, Firefighter Jack Thomas, Fire Buff Terry Buchiet, Driver and Operator Robert Hummell, Firefighter Frank C. Schaper.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2019.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Historic photo caption prints March eighteen ninety one at 5516 Vernon, while main article gives company organization eighteen ninety two at 5524 Vernon. Preserve both original conflicting date and address; no guessed reconciliation.
Original source: SD_Times2019_02.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
