WORKING IN LONG BEACH 
The Fire Department

The Long Beach Fire Department was organized 113 years ago, on May 27, 1902.

photo: Library of Congress at http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2012646404/

If your ancestor served in the LBFD, you may find his name mentioned on these websites:

City of Long Beach, California

Long Beach Fire Department History–The Early Years

http://www.longbeach.gov/fire/department-history/

Quoting from the article: “On May 27, 1902, the Board of Trustees, called a citizens meeting at City Hall, with Mr.Jacob Kuhrts, an experienced Fire Commissioner from Los Angeles, as the principal speaker. From his expert knowledge of the necessity of organizing a trained group for the purpose of combating fires, the Trustees gave the go ahead signal to organize the first Fire Department since Long Beach had become a City.” Read the full-page article to see names of early fire department officers as well as volunteers.

Long Beach Firefighter’s Museum

http://www.lbfdmuseum.org/main.htm

California State University Dominguez Hills

Dateline Dominguez

http://digitalcollections.archives.csudh.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/LBFiremen

Quoting from the press release: “5,000 digitized photos depicting 70 years of the Long Beach Fire Department...are now accessible online through the California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) Department of Archives and Special Collections. The collection represents the history of firefighting in Long Beach. Pictures include businesses and homes damaged by fires, oil fire devastation, plane and car crashes as well as images documenting the construction of the city’s fire stations, LBFD fire trucks and other apparatus over the decades, and fire personnel.”

RESEARCH TIP: If you’ve ever wondered about a “stranger” in your great-uncle’s wedding party (why did Gene choose him to be the best man?), the answer may lie at your relative’s workplace.