Fireboat
Encyclopedia
Older designs derived from tugboats and modern fireboats more closely resembling seafaring ships can both be found in service today. Some departments would give their multi-purpose craft the title of "Fireboat" also.
They are frequently used for fighting fires on docks
Dock (maritime)
A dock is a human-made structure or group of structures involved in the handling of boats or ships, usually on or close to a shore.However, the exact meaning varies among different variants of the English language...
and shore side warehouse
Warehouse
A warehouse is a commercial building for storage of goods. Warehouses are used by manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, transport businesses, customs, etc. They are usually large plain buildings in industrial areas of cities and towns. They usually have loading docks to load and unload...
s as they can directly attack fires in the supporting underpinnings of these structures. They also have an unlimited supply of water available, pumping directly from below the hull and can be used to assist shore based firefighters when other water is in low supply or is unavailable, for example, due to earthquake breakage of water mains, as happened in San Francisco due to the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
Loma Prieta earthquake
The Loma Prieta earthquake, also known as the Quake of '89 and the World Series Earthquake, was a major earthquake that struck the San Francisco Bay Area of California on October 17, 1989, at 5:04 p.m. local time...
.
Modern fireboats are capable of pumping tens of thousands of gallons of water per minute. An example is Fire Boat #2 of the Los Angeles Fire Department
Los Angeles Fire Department
The Los Angeles Fire Department is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the city of Los Angeles....
, the Warner Lawrence
Warner Lawrence
The Warner Lawrence is an innovative fireboat owned and operated by the Los Angeles Fire Department in Los Angeles.Designed by Robert Allan Ltd. in the early 2000s, the Warner Lawrence was built in Washington and delivered to San Pedro on May 21, 2003. It was dedicated on April 12 of that year...
, with the capability to pump up to 38000 USgal/min and up to 400 feet (122 m) in the air.
Fireboats are most usually seen by the public when welcoming a fleet or historical ships with a display of their water moving capabilities, throwing large arcs of water in every direction.
Occasionally fireboats are used to carry firefighters, Emergency Medical Technician
Emergency medical technician
Emergency Medical Technician or Ambulance Technician are terms used in some countries to denote a healthcare provider of emergency medical services...
s, and a physician with their equipment to islands and other boats. Some may be used as icebreaker
Icebreaker
An icebreaker is a special-purpose ship or boat designed to move and navigate through ice-covered waters. Although the term usually refers to ice-breaking ships, it may also refer to smaller vessels .For a ship to be considered an icebreaker, it requires three traits most...
s, like the Chicago Fire Department
Chicago Fire Department
The Chicago Fire Department, also known as the CFD, is the principal fire suppression, prevention, and rescue agency of Chicago, Illinois, under the jurisdiction of the mayor of Chicago. The Chicago Fire Department is the second largest fire department in the United States after the New York City...
's Victor L. Schlaeger which can break 8 to 12 inch ice. They may also carry divers or surface water rescue workers. Passengers from ships in danger can be also transferred to various kind of rescue boats. Rescue boats may be used also for oil and chemical destruction on rivers, lakes and seas.
Also hydrocopter
Hydrocopter
A hydrocopter is an amphibious aircraft-propelled catamaran. The vehicle has a boat-like hull, small wheels and pontoon skids . An aircraft engine with aircraft propeller and air rudder pushes the hydrocopter across water, ice, snow and land.It is very useful in arctic coastal regions during...
s, rigid-hulled inflatable boat
Rigid-hulled inflatable boat
A rigid-hulled inflatable boat, or rigid-inflatable boat is a light-weight but high-performance and high-capacity boat constructed with a solid, shaped hull and flexible tubes at the gunwale. The design is stable and seaworthy...
s, fanboat and even hovercraft
Hovercraft
A hovercraft is a craft capable of traveling over surfaces while supported by a cushion of slow moving, high-pressure air which is ejected against the surface below and contained within a "skirt." Although supported by air, a hovercraft is not considered an aircraft.Hovercraft are used throughout...
s and helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s are used in fire, rescue and medical emergency situations.
Cities with fireboats are usually located on a large body of water with port facilities. Smaller fire departments lacking resources will use rigid-hulled inflatable boat
Rigid-hulled inflatable boat
A rigid-hulled inflatable boat, or rigid-inflatable boat is a light-weight but high-performance and high-capacity boat constructed with a solid, shaped hull and flexible tubes at the gunwale. The design is stable and seaworthy...
or borrow boats from local rescue agencies (EMS, coast guard, military).
History
The first recorded fire-float was built in 1765 for the Sun Fire Insurance Company in London. This was a manual pumpHand pump
Hand pumps are manually operated pumps; they use human power and mechanical advantage to move fluids or air from one place to another. They are widely used in every country in the world for a variety of industrial, marine, irrigation and leisure activities...
in a small boat, rowed by its crew to the scene of the fire. A similar craft was built in Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
by James Hillhouse for the Imperial Fire Insurance Office in the 1780s. All fire fighting in Bristol was carried out either by private insurance companies or the Docks Company until the formation of the Bristol Fire Brigade as a branch of the police in 1876. In New York City a small boat with a pump was used to fight marine fires. By the middle of the nineteenth century, self-propelled steam-fire-floats were beginning to be introduced. The FDNY leased the salvage tug
Salvage tug
A salvage tug is a specialized type of tugboat which is used to rescue or marine salvage ships which are in distress or in danger of sinking, or which have already sunk or run aground....
John Fuller as the city's first fireboat in 1866.. The first purpose built steam driven boats were introduced by Boston Fire Department
Boston Fire Department
The Boston Fire Department provides fire protection services for Boston, Massachusetts, USA. In addition to fire protection, the Boston Fire department also provides basic emergency medical services and respond to a variety of emergencies such as, but not limited to, motor vehicle accidents,...
(William F. Flanders) and FDNY (William F. Havenmeyer) in 1873 and 1875 respectively. The first European fireboat to appear in Bristol was the Fire Queen, built by Shand Mason & Co., London, in 1884 for service in the City Docks. The 53 ft. (16.61 m.) long craft was equipped with a three cylinder
Cylinder (engine)
A cylinder is the central working part of a reciprocating engine or pump, the space in which a piston travels. Multiple cylinders are commonly arranged side by side in a bank, or engine block, which is typically cast from aluminum or cast iron before receiving precision machine work...
steam pump supplying two large hose reels; one of these was replaced with a monitor, or water cannon
Water cannon
A water cannon is a device that shoots a high-pressure stream of water. Typically, a water cannon can deliver a large volume of water, often over dozens of metres / hundreds of feet. They are used in firefighting and riot control. Most water cannon fall under the category of a fire...
, in 1900. Fire Queen served until 1922.
List of famous fireboats
- Abram S. Hewitt - FDNY (New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
) (1903 - 1958) (retired and abandon at Witte Marine Scrapyard in Rossville, Staten IslandRossville, Staten IslandRossville is the name of a neighborhood of Staten Island, New York, located to the west of Prince's Bay, on the island's South Shore.-Early History of the Area:...
). - DelugeDeluge (fireboat)Deluge , also known as Deluge , is a fireboat in New Orleans, Louisiana.It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989....
- Fireboat/Tug (New Orleans) (retired) - DuwamishDuwamish (fireboat)The Duwamish reigned as one of the most powerful fireboats in the United States several times over her 75-year working life.She is the second oldest vessel designed to fight fires in the USA, after the Edward M Cotter, in Buffalo, New York....
- (Seattle) 1909 (retired) - Edward M. CotterEdward M. Cotter (fire boat)Edward M. Cotter is a fireboat in use by the Buffalo Fire Department at Buffalo, New York, United States. The original name of the ship was the William S. Grattan, and she was built in 1900 by the Crescent Shipyard of Elizabeth Port, New Jersey. Due to age she was rebuilt in 1953 and was renamed...
- Fireboat/IcebreakerIcebreakerAn icebreaker is a special-purpose ship or boat designed to move and navigate through ice-covered waters. Although the term usually refers to ice-breaking ships, it may also refer to smaller vessels .For a ship to be considered an icebreaker, it requires three traits most...
(Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New YorkBuffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
) (active) The oldest active fireboat. - Tacoma Fireboat #1 - (Tacoma, WashingtonTacoma, WashingtonTacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
) (retired) - Fire Fighter - (NYC) 1938
- Fire Fighter II - FDNY (New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
) (2010) Country’s largest fireboat (Active) - Governor Irwin - Fireboat/Tug (San Francisco) (1878 - 1909) Fireboat participated in 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. (retired and scrapped)
- Governor Markham - Fireboat/Tug (San Francisco) Fireboat participated in 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. (retired and scrapped)
- John FullerJohn FullerJohn Fuller may refer to:* John Fuller , Master of Jesus College, Cambridge* John Fuller , British Member of Parliament for Sussex, 1713–1715...
- steam salvage tug (NYC) - 1866 boat had 2000GPM pump and hose. . - John J. HarveyJohn J. Harvey (fireboat)-External links:*...
- (New York City) (1931-1959) (Temporary reinstatement 9/11/2001) (retired)(Museum ship) - Massey ShawMassey ShawThe Massey Shaw is a former London Fire Brigade fireboat. The historic vessel was saved from dereliction by a group of enthusiasts who are currently engaged in its restoration....
- (London, England) (retired) - PhoenixPhoenix (fireboat)Phoenix is a fireboat owned by California and operated by the city of San Francisco in the San Francisco Bay since 1955. Phoenix is known for helping to save Marina District buildings from further destruction by fire following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Her worthy assistance resulted in a...
- (San Francisco) (active) - Pyronaut - moored at Bristol Harbour Railway and Industrial Museum (BristolBristolBristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, England) (retired) - Ralph J. ScottRalph J. Scott (fireboat)The Ralph J. Scott, also known as Fireboat #2, is a 100-foot fireboat that was attached to the Los Angeles Fire Department serving the Port of Los Angeles. It was retired in 2003 after 78 years and replaced by the Warner L. Lawrence. The Ralph J...
- (Los Angeles) (retired) - Sir Alexander GranthamSir Alexander GranthamSir Alexander Grantham was a fire boat for the Fire Services Department . The fireboat was named after former British colonial Governor Sir Alexander Grantham...
- (Hong Kong) (retired) - Three Forty Three - FDNY (New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
) (2009) Country’s largest fireboat, twin to Fire Fighter II. (Active) - Warner LawrenceWarner LawrenceThe Warner Lawrence is an innovative fireboat owned and operated by the Los Angeles Fire Department in Los Angeles.Designed by Robert Allan Ltd. in the early 2000s, the Warner Lawrence was built in Washington and delivered to San Pedro on May 21, 2003. It was dedicated on April 12 of that year...
- Los Angeles (active) - William F. Flanders - (Boston) 1873
- William F. Havenmeyer - (NYC) 1875-1901 (retired)
- William Lyon MackenzieWilliam Lyon Mackenzie (fireboat)William Lyon Mackenzie # 334, named for Toronto's first mayor William Lyon Mackenzie, is a fireboat for the Toronto Fire Services. It was built in 1964 with a modified Tugboat hull to provide marine fire fighting as well as ice breaking capabilities...
- (TorontoTorontoToronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada) (active) - William O. Bird II - Sandusky Fire Department (Sandusky, OhioSandusky, OhioSandusky is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Erie County. It is located in northern Ohio and is situated on the shores of Lake Erie, almost exactly half-way between Toledo to the west and Cleveland to the east....
) (active) - USS ActiveUSS ActiveUSS Active may refer to:, was a brigantine-rigged packet launched in 1779 and captured by the British man-of-war HMS Proserpine on 23 March 1782., was a schooner purchased in 1837 and sold in 1838., was a harbor tug launched in 1888, sunk in 1926, then raised and sold in 1929., was a motorboat that...
/USS Lively - US Navy - Fireboat/Tug (1888 - 1945) Fireboat participated in 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. (retired and scrapped) - USS Fortune - US Army / US Navy - Fireboat/Tug (1865-1922) Fireboat participated in 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. (retired and scrapped)
- USS Hoga - US Navy - Fireboat/Tug (Pearl HarborPearl HarborPearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
attack) and City of Oakland 1940-1996 (retired) - USS Leslie - US Army / US Navy - Fireboat/Tug (1861) Fireboat participated in 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. (retired and scrapped)
Departments with fireboats
- Baltimore City Fire Department - 1; 1 reserve
- Boston Fire DepartmentBoston Fire DepartmentThe Boston Fire Department provides fire protection services for Boston, Massachusetts, USA. In addition to fire protection, the Boston Fire department also provides basic emergency medical services and respond to a variety of emergencies such as, but not limited to, motor vehicle accidents,...
- 2 - Buffalo Fire DepartmentBuffalo Fire DepartmentThe Buffalo Fire Department is the principal fire and rescue service for the city of Buffalo, New York. It is the largest fire department in Upstate New York. The Fire Department currently consists of one division which is separated into four battalions, and further separated into 4 platoons...
- 1 - Charlotte Fire DepartmentCharlotte Fire DepartmentThe Charlotte Fire Department provides fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue, hazardous materials mitigation, disaster response, code enforcement, fire investigations, and public education for a population of approximately 756,000 over an area of about in the city limits...
- 1 - Chicago Fire DepartmentChicago Fire DepartmentThe Chicago Fire Department, also known as the CFD, is the principal fire suppression, prevention, and rescue agency of Chicago, Illinois, under the jurisdiction of the mayor of Chicago. The Chicago Fire Department is the second largest fire department in the United States after the New York City...
- 1 - Cleveland Fire Department - 1
- Detroit Fire DepartmentDetroit Fire DepartmentThe Detroit Fire Department is the professional fire department that provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the city of Detroit, Michigan, United States. The DFD currently operates 120 fire companies out of 47 Fire Stations, located throughout the city, with a total sworn...
- 1 - District of Columbia Fire Department - 3
- Fairfax County Fire and Rescue DepartmentFairfax County Fire and Rescue DepartmentThe Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is a combination career and volunteer organization that provides fire suppression, emergency medical, technical rescue, hazardous materials, water rescue, life safety education, fire prevention and arson investigation services to Fairfax County, Virginia...
- 2, 1 frontline, 1 reserve - General Fire Brigade of GuangdongGeneral Fire Brigade of GuangdongGeneral Fire Brigade of Guangdong is a fire-fighting unit in Guangdong province and under the order of the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China....
- 1 - Hong Kong Fire Services/Hong Kong International AirportHong Kong International AirportHong Kong International Airport is the main airport in Hong Kong. It is colloquially known as Chek Lap Kok Airport , being built on the island of Chek Lap Kok by land reclamation, and also to distinguish it from its predecessor, the closed Kai Tak Airport.The airport opened for commercial...
- 8 and 4 support vessels (command, 2 diving units, speedboat) - Honolulu Fire DepartmentHonolulu Fire DepartmentThe Honolulu Fire Department, popularly known as the HFD, is the principal firefighting agency of the City & County of Honolulu under the jurisdiction of the Mayor of Honolulu...
- 1 - Jersey City Fire Department - 1
- London Fire BrigadeLondon Fire BrigadeThe London Fire Brigade is the statutory fire and rescue service for London.Founded in 1865, it is the largest of the fire services in the United Kingdom and the fourth-largest in the world with nearly 7,000 staff, including 5,800 operational firefighters based in 112 fire...
- 2 - Los Angeles Fire DepartmentLos Angeles Fire DepartmentThe Los Angeles Fire Department is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the city of Los Angeles....
- 5 - Macau International AirportMacau International Airport- Cargo airlines :The following cargo airlines serve Macau International Airport :*Air Macau*EVA Air Cargo*Shanghai Airlines Cargo*Singapore Airlines Cargo- Other Tenants :* Macau Customs Service...
Fire Services - 1 - Malaysian Fire and Rescue DepartmentMalaysian Fire and Rescue DepartmentThe Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department , popularly known as Bomba, is the fire and rescue services agency in Malaysia. The Malay term 'Bomba' is borrowed from the Portuguese word bombeiros which carries the same meaning.- History :...
- 1 - Massachusetts Port AuthorityMassachusetts Port AuthorityMassachusetts Port Authority, or Massport, is a port district in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It operates seaports and airports in eastern and central Massachusetts, mainly the Port of Boston. Its headquarters is located in the Logan Office Center, adjacent to Logan Airport in East Boston,...
- 2, with third being delivered September 2011. - Miami Fire DepartmentMiami Fire DepartmentThe City of Miami Fire Rescue Department is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the city of Miami, Florida. This professional fire department protects the city 24/7, 365 and operates out of 14 Fire Stations, located throughout the city's...
- 2 - Nagasaki Fire Department - 1
- Newark Fire Department (NJ) - 1
- New York City Fire Department#Fireboats - 3; 1 reserve
- Newport News (VA) Fire Department
- Portland (ME) Fire Department - 1
- Portland (OR) Fire & Rescue - 2
- Port of Houston Authority Marine Fire Department - 3
- San Francisco Fire DepartmentSan Francisco Fire DepartmentThe San Francisco Fire Department provides fire and emergency services to the City and County of San Francisco, California.The San Francisco Fire Department, along with the San Francisco Police Department and San Francisco Sheriff's Department, serves an estimated population of 1.4 million people...
- 2 - Sandusky Fire Department - 1
- Seattle Fire Department - 3; 1 reserve
- Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Management DepartmentSeoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Management DepartmentSeoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Management Department is a department of the Seoul Metro government in charge of fire and rescue services in Seoul, South Korea.The SMFDMD operations are divided by the Han River...
- 1 on order - South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service - 1
- Tacoma (WA) Fire Department - 1; 1 reserve
- Toronto Fire ServicesToronto Fire ServicesThe Toronto Fire Services is part of the Emergency Services that respond to 911 calls in the City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-Overview:The Toronto Fire Services is responsible for responding to fires, rescue and assisting with medical situations within the City of Toronto...
- 2 - Tokyo Fire DepartmentTokyo Fire DepartmentThe is a fire department headquartered in Ōtemachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. The TFD was formed on March 7, 1948 and is responsible for protecting the Tokyo Metropolis Area. The Fire Department is the largest urban fire department in the world. Providing services to the 23 Wards of Tokyo and parts...
- 9 - Vancouver Fire and Rescue ServicesVancouver Fire and Rescue ServicesVancouver Fire and Rescue Services was founded in 1886 and today serves the city of Vancouver, British Columbia providing both fire and emergency medical services. In 2007, the V.F.R.S. responded to over 43,000 emergency calls.-History:...
- 2 (3 more in Metro Region)
Government and military with fireboats
- Japan Coast GuardJapan Coast GuardThe , formerly the Maritime Safety Agency, is the Japanese coast guard. Comprising about 12,000 personnel, it is under the oversight of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and is responsible for the protection the coast-lines of Japan...
- 9; 230 patrol boats with water cannons or fire fighting support systems. - United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast GuardThe United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
- Fire class fireboatFire class fireboatThe Royal Canadian Navy operates two Fire-class fireboats/Yard tractor tugs. The two vessels are the CFAV Firebrand and the CFAV Firebird ....
of the Canadian Forces Maritime CommandCanadian Forces Maritime CommandThe Royal Canadian Navy , is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Forces. Operating 33 warships and several auxiliary vessels, the Royal Canadian Navy consists of 8,500 Regular Force and 5,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by...
Auxiliary Fleet (2):- CFAV Firebird (YTR 561)
- CFAV Firebrand (YTR 562)
See also
- Fire apparatusFire apparatusA fire apparatus, fire engine, fire truck, or fire appliance is a vehicle designed to assist in fighting fires by transporting firefighters to the scene and providing them with access to the fire, along with water or other equipment...
- FirefighterFirefighterFirefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
- Fire-float
- Police boatPolice boatPolice watercraft are boats or other vessels that are used by police agencies to patrol bodies of water. They are usually employed on major rivers, in enclosed harbors near cities or in places where a stronger presence than that offered by the Harbourmaster or Coast Guard is needed.Police boats...
- Rigid-hulled inflatable boatRigid-hulled inflatable boatA rigid-hulled inflatable boat, or rigid-inflatable boat is a light-weight but high-performance and high-capacity boat constructed with a solid, shaped hull and flexible tubes at the gunwale. The design is stable and seaworthy...
External links
- "Smoke Eaters On Water", May 1931, Popular Science detailed article about New York city fireboats of that era
- "Diesel Fire Boat Shoots Seventeen Streams" Popular Mechanics, August 1937 -- ie article on Chicago Fire Department fire boat Fred A. Busse (fireboat)
- Painting of the fireboat “The New Yorker,” 1893, in the Staten Island Historical Society Online Collections Database