Mayor Anthony A. Williams and Fire/EMS Chief Ronnie Few joined community members and activists today as the renovation of old Engine Company 20 was celebrated. The ceremony marks the beginning of a 14-month project during which the firehouse, built in 1901, will be given much-needed improvements.
Chemical Company 3 was organized and established at 4300 Wisconsin Ave., NW on May 11, 1901. It utilized a C.T. Holloway double-tank, 170-gallon chemical engine. In those days, water lines were not pressurized. The area Chemical Company 3 served was mostly farmland. There were no fire hydrants, so firefighters had to create their own means of pressurization. They did that by mixing vinegar and soda bicarbonate, and combining it with the engine operation. The resulting reaction would create enough pressure to deliver the water. These contraptions were drawn by horses, so the firehouse had to be designed to accommodate the animals' feeding and upkeep.
On January 23, 1907, Chemical Company 3 was disbanded and replaced by an American-LaFrance steam fire engine and a Seagrave 70-gallon combination chemical hose unit. That's when Engine Company 20 was born. On July 7, 1913, Truck 12 was organized and placed in service with Engine 20, utilizing a combination gasoline/electric 75-foot aerial ladder. Both Truck 12 and Engine 20 have operated out of the same location since that time. While the trucks and equipment have changed, the firehouse has not, until now.
"We've come a long way in fire suppression technology," said Fire/EMS Chief Ronnie Few. "The renovation of Engine 20 will make this firehouse more functional for the fire/EMS workers who use it, which will translate to better service for those who depend on us."
The renovation project takes into consideration the historical nature of the building and the neighborhood. The design preserves three sides of the firehouse, while allowing the construction of wider, higher bays that will accommodate newer, bigger apparatus.
"This marks a milestone in the Fire/EMS Department," said Mayor Williams. "It represents where we want to be in terms of upgrading our facilities, and it represents the direction in which we're going."
The Department has engaged a comprehensive firehouse renovation plan, which calls for improvements and upgrades to be made in three stations per year. The District of Columbia Fire/EMS Department operates 33 Engine Companies, 16 Truck Companies, three heavy-duty rescue squads, a hazardous materials response team, and a fireboat water rescue unit. It also operates a total of 36 EMS units, providing advanced and basic life-support services
(left to right) Fire/EMS Chief Ronnie Few, DC Councilwoman Kathy Patterson, Mayor Williams, and Capt. Bruce Johnson start the renovation of Engine Company 20 on Wisconsin Ave., NW |