Fire Station 5 - Firehouses on Waymarking.com

My grandpa was the Chief of this firehouse back in the late 50's. He had passed away before I was born, but the family stories always made this location interesting to me.

House History:

October, 1906 - A firehouse is built at 16th and Front Street and labeled Station 3, which housed Chemical #3. At that time, the building was a single story wooden structure with a bay that could hold a two-horse engine and two firefighters. In 1907, the third firefighter was added when the city brought on Lieutenants.

In 1912, a two-story, 2-bay, brick firehouse is built behind the existing station at 212 South 16 Street (the present address) and becomes Station 2. Station 2 housed a steam engine and a hose wagon.

In 1920, budget cuts within the department resulted in the closing of the brick Station 2. The 1920's was a period of struggle between low wages. Many firefighters leave the department.

On February 1, 1951, under the direction of Steve Taylor, the newly appointed fire chief (1950), Station 5 was opened at the Sixteenth and Front Street station. This was to be the third different station assignment to this building. (See the histories of Station 2 and 3 for information on how this building was quarters for companies 2 and 3). Five was also the maximum number of stations at this time, until Station 6 opened in 1962. The total number of Boise firefighters numbered 76. In 1972, Truck Co. 5 was formed when Boise purchased an American LaFrance Aerialchief. In 1979, the kitchen is remodeled, with part of the remodel involving closing up the windows between the kitchen and the apparatus bays. In 1991, the truck company was moved to Station 6, leaving only the single engine company. More remodeling occurred in 1999, which greatly improved the dorm rooms into separate rooms, bathrooms for men and women, and separate shower areas for men and women.

Paid or Volunteer: Paid EMS Involvement: no Has 911 Dispatch: yes Has Emergency Call Box: no Has Emergency Siren: yes Has Fire Pole: yes Number of Firetrucks: 3 Related Website: [Web Link] Physical Address: 212 South Sixteenth Street Boise, ID USA 83707 Rating: Average Alarms Per Year: Not Listed Number of Emergency Staff: Not Listed

Visit Instructions:
The only requirement is to visit this location physically, in person, and write about your experience.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   08/21/2014 Spooty visited it 08/21/2008 dingo262 visited it 08/10/2008 imlosthere visited it

View all visits/logs