During July 1870, the Seattle Hook and Ladder Company Number 1 formed. The 40 member volunteer company is Seattle's first fire fighting organization. T. S. Russell is the Chief Engineer and Gardner Kellogg is the Foreman.
The City Council purchased axes, buckets, and ladders for the fire company. They also passed an ordinance that required 40 gallon casks full of water at each dwelling for fire protection or face a $10 per day fine.
After one or two years, the first Hook and Ladder Company disbanded, due to lack of fires.
Sources:
Thomas Prosch, "A Chronological History of Seattle from 1850 to 1897" (Typescript, dated 1900-1901, Northwest Collection, University of Washington Library, Seattle), 203.
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