Hose Towers

[memorymaster]

I wonder if that tool is still kept on an engine company rig or did it go the way of cotton waste and brass polish?

 

[lucky]

It fits easily inside the hard suction, so out of sight, out of mind.

 

[entropychaser]

Firehouses built in many US cities and towns in the 1800s and 1900s commonly had hose drying towers, look out towers, bell towers and/or clock towers. Towers were often used for several purposes, to include training and warning neighborhoods with civil defense, storm or fire alarm sirens. Most became distinctive landmarks, even when obsolete.

You are correct that hose towers frequently have warning sirens on top. They are for fire alarms, threatening weather ,and civil defense.
The City of Chicago had them on virtually every firehouse. Of course, they were tested regularly; nowadays it is 10:00 am on the first Tuesday of the month.
Let's look back to October, 1959. The Chicago White Sox have just won the World Series. The Mayor, Richard Daley, is so excited and proud for his hometown that he, without telling anyone, activates..... Civil Defense warning sirens,
Now anyone old enough not to have to take his supper in a highchair knows that it's not the first Tuesday of the month, much less 10:00am. If you look out the window, you find the weather is perfect.
The good citizens quickly realize this can mean only one thing....the Russkies are on the way to Chicago with nuclear weapons. Disruption, panic, chaos ensues until this can all be straightened out.

The next day the local press have Hizzoner, the Mayor, cornered in his office. What can he say? Yep!
He solemnly reports that he has severely reprimanded Fire Commissioner Robert Quinn, and Commissioner Quinn has assured him this will never happen again.


Case Closed!


.

 

[memorymaster]

Years ago the air raid sirens were tested at 12 noon with a single 'growl' in NYC

 

[Lt. Q]

Before handy talkies we would hit the button to make the siren growl when we had a man at the store across the street and a box was coming in.