1882 Engine crew 19 practices techniques prior to an appearance
at the Chicago World’s Fair, 1893.
George C. Hale is promoted from first assistant chief to chief of
the Fire Department following the resignation of Col. Frank Foster.
Hale, an 11-year veteran of the department at the time, soon becomes world renowned for inventing various pieces of apparatus that advance the science of firefighting. Among his inventions are the Hale Water Tower and the Hale Swinging Harness and the Hale Tin-Roof Cutter.
Hale institutes a merit system and, under his direction, the department develops a national reputation for its precision and innovative firefighting techniques.
Shown in action is one of Chief Hale’s many inventions,
Hale’s team is invited to compete, and perform, at the International
Fire Congress. The team competes in London in 1893 and at the Paris Exposition in 1900 and wins the competition
both times. Kansas City’s is the only U.S. department invited to these competitions.
the Hale extension ladder.
The Kansas City crew sails to London in 1983 along with a Hale Water Tower, a set of Pompier ladders and Dan and Joe, a famous team of pure white Arabian horses. The team wins a gold medal in hitching, reaching the scene of a fire and throwing water in eight and a half seconds.
Seven years later, another Kansas City team distinguishes itself in Paris with its horses, Buck and Mack. They
win the international cup and 800 francs. They perform their feats in one-third the time of the nearest competitor.
Many of the devices invented by Hale are adopted in Europe as a result of the display of superiority and speed by the American team.
 |
|
Members of the Pompier Ladder crew won an international competition in London in 1893. |
