Seattle’s First Fire Company: A Half-Hearted Start in a City That Needs It

The organization and significant reform of our fire department has been the preliminary step in the laying of the basis for further improvement. The organization now contains the elements of order and discipline, which are always through practice. It would be preposterous for any one to suppose that an organization of this kind can be brought together and perfected in one day, even if our citizens were more interested in the matter than they are. The brief time in which it has existed and the encouragement we think the company has already made an excellent showing, and acquitted itself commendably. At least the foundation has been laid for a well-disciplined and constant fire company that has long stood in need of something that will ere long secure her through the creditable enterprise and perseverance of a few public-spirited citizens.

That one of Seattle's greatest needs at the present time is such an institution as we have just aided, which we think a few of her citizens are to work in the right way to secure, probably none will deny. But though many would rejoice in her possession of this result, they jeer at the slow tedious process which circumstances make necessary for such an organization to go through before it attains marked efficiency. They would heartily embrace such an institution if it could parole a fine, steam fire engine, and marshal into service a band of well-disciplined force of experienced firemen, such as they have witnessed in the more populous and wealthy cities; but they are inclined to look with contempt upon these 'days of small beginnings,' forgetting that we must creep before we can walk. That a hand fire engine, and a small inexperienced company to man it, is inadequate to our wants, and would be inefficient in a general conflagration is true. But, can we do any better? A half heart is certainly better than no heart at all.

If we cannot have just what we want, and would like it, in the form of a fire company, let us make the most of what we have, and foster and encourage the present embryo of a much-needed and indispensable institution among us. Those who have already identified themselves with it, and have lent it a helping hand, are doing much credit, and those who have made it a point to jeer and sneer them in their worthy undertaking have acted unwisely and base as public benefactors, to say the least. The company now contains about twenty-five members, including many of our best citizens, and we hope ere long to make this number swelled to twice its present figures, and the company favorably regarded by all our citizens.

An important improvement is now being made. A tower 100 feet high, 10 feet square at the base and 6 feet square at the top, is now being constructed in front of the engine house on Stearns street, for the reception of a 500-pound fire bell now on the way from San Francisco. New uniforms have also been ordered for the active members, and the discussion of the matter of having a fireman's hall fitted up is in progress. All things considered their outlook is promising.