Some thoughts of Philadelphia Fire
Philadelphia Fire
This years muster will provide a Health Fair brought to you by the Philadelphia Fire Department. The fair will include: Blood pressure and Cholesterol testing, Information from the American Heart Association. Pain Management and Health and wellness brochures. 3
Shortly after serving in the armed forces during WWII Clarence joined the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1946. He was assigned to Engine 11. In this story he talks about his early days in the fire department. 2
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The Volunteer firemen of Philadelphia were patriotic, intelligent and brave, and were prompt in their response to the call of President Lincoln in April, 1861, enlisting in large numbers in the three months’ regiments soon afterward in the field. At the end of this term of service they were equally ready to volunteer “for three years or the war.” The regiment of Fire Zouaves which Col. De Witt Clinton Baxter formed was composed of this fine, hardy material, nearly every fire company in the city being represented in its ranks. Camp was established at Haddington, near the old Bull’s Head tavern. The regiment was mustered in August 10th, 1861, and left for Washington on September 16th. The command was assigned to Baker’s Brigade, Sedgwick’s Division, Sumner’s Corps. 6
Alfred Ward was born in 1928 and was raised in South Philadelphia. Alfred joined the Philadelphia Fire Department on a whim in 1950 and retired 28 years later. He talks about how he went about learning to be a fireman at a time when training began the first day on the job. 1
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This brigade, having its origin as the “California Brigade” under direct authority of the President, was rated, at that time, as a body of regular troops. It was only after the death of Col. E. D. Baker that the several Philadelphia regiments of which it was composed were claimed by the State of Pennsylvania and given numerical designations accordingly. 7
Today, 30 some years after the original Court Order, the stigma of forced racial quotas continues to permeate the rank and file of the Philadelphia Fire Department. The department has been forced to dumb down the tests given to recruit-applicants. And the once sacred rule of “hiring according to class rank” (according to test scores) has been repeatedly violated. 4
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