Department orders fdny 1888 manual#
Department orders fdny 1888 full#
Department orders fdny 1888 zip#

It was a notable training school for robust natures fond of excitement, fearless o danger, and ready at all times to peril even life in deeds o daring emulation.

Department orders fdny 1888 manual#

When quite a young man his adventurous spirit led him to join the New York Volunteer Department, an organization which largely attracted the hardy young men of the city, particularly the class bred to trades and manual labor. “The Chief,' as every one called him, was born in New York City, on January 31, 1820. In the stirring chapters of this city's history he played a most important part. In the romance of the early days of San Francisco the name of David Scannell will always stand out in bold relief.

Department orders fdny 1888 full#

Full of years and honor, respected and loved by those under him, the rugged old man had breathed his last.

Department orders fdny 1888 zip#

His faithful attendant, Zip Shoen, thought the old man was merely taking a nap, and so in truth he was but it was a nap from which the fire bell would never awake him. A man of unusual force of character and physical energy, a man who for over half a century had responded to the call of the fire bell in this city or elsewhere, he sat quietly reading his paper on Thursday morning, March 30th, in the engine-house on Bush Street, which he so dearly loved, then the paper slipped from his grasp, and as it fluttered to the floor the spirit of the old man rose and David Scannell was dead. It is without question that he was the most influential and esteemed leader in early department history.ĭEATH OF THE VETERAN CHIEF OF THE SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENTĪ greater contrast than the life and death of Chief David Scannell presents, it would be difficult to imagine. In essence, this was the department's first labor union. The David Scannell Club was organized in 1913 by department members in order to maintain and protect the Civil Service provisions of the Charter relating to the Fire Department and to promote the efficiency and good name of the Fire Department. In 1909 one of the two new fireboats was commissioned the David S. Scannell Medal is awarded to San Francisco firefighters who have performed meritoriously at personal risk of their own life. His will provided $2,000 to establish a fund for the meritorious service medal which bears his name. He was also responsible for the fire codes requiring fire escapes and standpipes on all multi story buildings. He quickly over came the controversies and remained in office as Chief for the next twenty years, until his death, due to ill health, on March 30, 1893.Īt the time of his death the department was composed of 25 engine companies, 6 truck companies, 9 hose companies and the first water tower and first fireboat. Amidst much controversy, on March 16, 1874, he was reappointed Chief Engineer. Due to ill health it was necessary for him leave office at the end of April. Whitney as Chief Engineer.įive years later on April 3, 1871, the Town Council did appoint David Scannell as Chief Engineer, and approximately five hundred former volunteers paraded through the streets to show their support for this decision and appreciation for their former Chief. In October of 1866, Chief Scannell lost his bid to be appointed by the Town Council to be the first Chief Engineer of the paid department. In April of 1866, Chief Scannell signed the declaration of approval to make this change over occur the following December. In 1865 the City realized that it would be beneficial to change the department from the volunteer companies to a paid-call organization.

He was re-elected each of the next six years. In the annual election of the Chief Engineer by the members of the department held in December of 1860, Scannell was elected to Chief Engineer, and he quickly won the admiration of his men.

Upon leaving the Sheriff's department, he turned his attention to the fire department, and became a member of Empire Engine Company No. In the fall of 1856, he was removed from office because when his bank failed he could not post the bond required to be Sheriff. He served during turbulent times in a young and wild San Francisco. In the spring of 1855, he was successful in his bid and was elected to the position of Sheriff. A year later he served as Undersheriff to Sheriff William Gorham. He served as an officer in the Mexican War with extraordinary distinction, and in 1851 he came to San Francisco on the steamer 'Gold Hunter.' He ran unsuccessfully for the office of Sheriff in 1852. Became a torch runner when he came of ageĭavid Scannell was born in New York, and he was a very well educated man.San Francisco Fire Department Museum ~ SFFD Chiefs ~ David S.