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In the early twentieth century, some of my ancestors were firefighters in the Sault. Going through some old papers, I have found bits and pieces of firefighting history from our area. As with anything over 100 years old, things aren’t always in the best shape. Books, papers, and photos tear and fade over time. I have tried to keep the integrity of the work, and I hope I have done the recopying of this work justice. The font in my papers is tiny; this hasn’t been an easy task for someone with eye issues. I have decided to share this information in articles over the next few weeks. The articles I will present are not my words, and unfortunately, I cannot attest to who wrote the pieces. The pieces of work that I have do not reveal the author, but it is assumed it was the Sault Firefighters as a collective. The Eastern Upper Peninsula is rich in history. I hope that by sharing this information about the Sault, you will have a deeper and greater respect for our past and present firefighters. This information was compiled before July 1921. – Laurie Davis
Part Two: Modern Equipment
The advent of the motor-driven apparatus for the fire department was the natural sequence of the introduction of vehicle propulsion. The first city in the world to use a motor pump was Lansing, Michigan, which introduced it in 1900, and the first city to use an automobile for fighting fires was Detroit, so Michigan was in the vanguard of those providing modern equipment.
Many cities soon followed Detroit’s lead and the Soo was not far behind the rest. Attention was directed to the superior made by local officials, and the council got down to concrete business in the matter. At a meeting of the city council, it was moved that prices be secured on combination hose, chemical, and chief’s car. So accordingly a chief’s car was secured. Also a fire truck from the American-LaFrance Company. Other pieces of apparatus followed until now the department has the following apparatus: the Chief’s car, combination, and chemical fire truck from the American-LaFrance Co., a 6-cylinder triple combination pump hose and chemical, hose cart and hook and ladder truck, horse-drawn.
This equipment gives our city one of the most up-to-date firefighting apparatus in the state and under the careful supervision of Chief Bassett has been kept in the very best of condition. The fire hall, the home of the above equipment, has nice sleeping quarters for the paid men of which there are five, a large meeting room with billiard and pool tables, suites of offices are also installed for the use of the chief and his assistants while the building is all steam heated throughout.
Practical And Efficient
So the Soo Fire Department has passed through its evolution until it has become a practical, efficient, business division of the city government, in which the city takes a just pride. In addition to giving its best endeavors to firefighting, the department is likewise on the job for fire prevention, which is, after all, the more essential and valued feature. Regular inspection is made to prevent the accumulation of stuff apt to cause a blaze. Electric wiring is rigidly looked after and building operations, generally, are carefully watched. The “Fire Limits” idea works out well, serving the twofold purpose of giving the city better ornaments of architecture, and at the same time lessening the fire hazards.
The good old days of sentiment and fancy in firefighting are gone. The heroes of those other times live in glorious records of valor and the thrills of reminiscence. Their work was done well and their laurels justly bestowed. But in the age of progress and advancement the more practical coping with conditions that have to do with business stability, that minimize hazards of life and property, are to be met. Today’s fire laddies are as brave and alert as their predecessors, now trained more in the spirit of craftsmanship and science, using tools befitting their occupation, rather than doing their work in the spirit of adventure, with its accompanying thrills and fascinations.
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