West Palm Beach Fire Department Centennial History
By Ronald E. Johnson, Battalion Chief Retired 1991
"Fire is a good servant but a terrible master."
Benjamin Franklin
The Centennial History of the West Palm Beach Fire Department 1894-1994
The Centennial History of the West Palm Beach Florida Fire Department details events over the 100 years from 1894 to 1994. This informative book chronicles the fire history from the early years of the Flagler Alerts, the fire company formed by developer and railroad tycoon Henry Morrison Flagler, to the revitalization of the city with the Downtown Development Project of the 1990s.
There are heroes and fiascoes; bravery and treachery; great saves and total losses; life and of course death. It is the way of the profession which will continue into the next hundred years and beyond.
With this history the past is documented for those who come in the future.
2020 Update: Chief Sadler's house at 233 8th Street was sold. Alfred P. Sadler, chief from 1913 to 1949, had this house built in 1925/26 with one unique feature, covered exterior stairs leading from the second floor to his carport. This allowed for quick access to his car when responding to an emergency. SEE DETAILS
A recently discovered video of the Department from 1930 entitled Women Firefighters filmed in West Palm Beach CLICK HERE
Scenes from Women Firefighters 1930
Centenial History of the West Palm Beach Fire Department PDF
This history was published in 1994 for the Centennial celebration of the West Palm Beach Fire Department.
