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1918
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Chief A.S. Brownewell
1918 - Fire Chief's conference held in Wichita.
c. 1910's - L to R, Back Row: E.S. Matherly, T.W. Spencer. L to R, Front Row: Capt. W.R. Snow, C.O. Duffner. In front of old Station No. 6, Broadway and Bayley.
| Upon the death of Chief Walden, the new era of "Men and Machines" began in 1918, under the Brownewell Administration. The last team of fire horses was replaced by engine-driven apparatus, and Wichita became the first completely motorized fire department in the United States, and the second in the world. Chief Brownewell referred to as "Brownie" by the men, was in every sense of the word, a fireman's fireman. He had stood in the shadow of the first Chief (Walden) for nearly thirty years, always quietly and efficiently supporting him and the department that he loved. He was highly respected by his men and the community for his outstanding leadership and ability. His belief in the department, coupled with a progressive outlook, were largely responsible for the way in which the Wichita Fire Department was able to maintain its high degree of efficiency through the transition from horsedrawn days to the era of machines.
Many changes were to occur during the next decade, but one of the most beneficial to the firemen then and for the future, was the adoption of a pension system. Up to this time, if a fireman was injured in the line of duty, he received no pay, and for those who grew old, they retired without a pension. On November 5, 1918, voters passed a measure providing for a levy of one-tenth of one mill for a fireman's pension fund. Out of this fund any fireman who was injured on duty was paid, and provisions were made for pensioning of men who would be eligible to retire at age 50 after 22 years of service. Ordinance No. 6080 providing for this fund was adopted on October 24, 1918, by a margin of 5,347 in favor and 2,965 against.
Although there had been improvements in equipment for the department, the hours the men were required to work were long and the pay was inadequate. The record shows the men worked twenty-four hours a day with every fifth day off. The starting pay was $65 a month for a fireman and after three years, he became a first class fireman and was entitled to $90 a month. A man was expected to furnish his boots and coat, bedding and linen, with the City furnishing a helmet and the opportunity to work.
Wichita may have been ahead in motorized equipment, but fireman in Topeka and Kansas City had the advantage of working a two-platoon system, twelve-hour days for $85 a month. In October of 1918, forty eight men signed an application for a charter from the International Fireman's Association. Every employee of the department, except for the Chief and Assistant Chief, were charter members of the Wichita Union. The men had great expectations in their Union, the first of which was a raise in pay the first year. After that they would work toward getting the two-platoon system initiated so they could spend half of their time at home. Both of these dreams were to be realized two years later due to the work of this Union.
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Related to 08 - The Brownewell Administration |
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