The Marine Battalion
1912 - 1974
.. On April 22, 1912, the Marine Battalion of the Baltimore City Fire Department was established, with quarters located at the Fireboat Station, Pier No.7, foot of President Street. Captain James N. Robb was placed in command with Lieutenant Charles H. Wilser in charge of Engine Co.16, and Lieutenant John A. Roberts in charge of Engine Co.39. Captain Robb reported directly to the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department at Headquarters.
..On January 1, 1922, the Commander of the Marine Battalion was upgraded from Captain to Battalion Chief and will now report to the Deputy Chief 2nd Division. ..Just as his land based counterparts do, the Marine Battalion Chief makes daily visits and conducts inspections of the companies under his command. These daily visits aboard his speedy tender boat make his a familiar face around the waterfront.
..Leaving his Headquarters at Engine House 16, foot of President Street, he starts out at about 9 AM to make his rounds of the District. These are not social calls. He first makes his way down the river to Engine Co.48 at Lower Canton. He then crosses the Harbor and proceeds up into Curtis Bay to Engine Co.49. On his return trip to quarters, he calls on Engine Co.39 at Fort McHenry.
..At each stop, the Chief exchanges paperwork with the company officer, and carries out a close inspection of the fireboat to insure that it is in tip-top condition and ready for instant service. Smooth running of company training is another of the important points to be checked on.
..The Marine Battalion Chief responds every time a fireboat is dispatched on an incident. Fires on vessels “under way” (not tied to a dock) are the responsibility of the Marine Battalion Chief, but where land units also respond to fires along the waterfront, the land Battalion Chief is in charge. On these incidents the land and marine units are combined under one command with the Marine Battalion Chief directing the operations on the water side of the incident.
..Engine Co. 16, later Fireboat 1, carried two Pilots on duty, with the second Pilot operating the Tender Boat and serving as the Chief’s Aide.
..On March 28, 1974, the Marine Battalion was discontinued, and the two remaining Fireboat Companies were reassigned to the 2nd Battalion.
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..On January 1, 1922, the Commander of the Marine Battalion was upgraded from Captain to Battalion Chief and will now report to the Deputy Chief 2nd Division. ..Just as his land based counterparts do, the Marine Battalion Chief makes daily visits and conducts inspections of the companies under his command. These daily visits aboard his speedy tender boat make his a familiar face around the waterfront.
..Leaving his Headquarters at Engine House 16, foot of President Street, he starts out at about 9 AM to make his rounds of the District. These are not social calls. He first makes his way down the river to Engine Co.48 at Lower Canton. He then crosses the Harbor and proceeds up into Curtis Bay to Engine Co.49. On his return trip to quarters, he calls on Engine Co.39 at Fort McHenry.
..At each stop, the Chief exchanges paperwork with the company officer, and carries out a close inspection of the fireboat to insure that it is in tip-top condition and ready for instant service. Smooth running of company training is another of the important points to be checked on.
..The Marine Battalion Chief responds every time a fireboat is dispatched on an incident. Fires on vessels “under way” (not tied to a dock) are the responsibility of the Marine Battalion Chief, but where land units also respond to fires along the waterfront, the land Battalion Chief is in charge. On these incidents the land and marine units are combined under one command with the Marine Battalion Chief directing the operations on the water side of the incident.
..Engine Co. 16, later Fireboat 1, carried two Pilots on duty, with the second Pilot operating the Tender Boat and serving as the Chief’s Aide.
..On March 28, 1974, the Marine Battalion was discontinued, and the two remaining Fireboat Companies were reassigned to the 2nd Battalion.
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.. Below is a roster of the Commanding Officers of the Marine Battalion from its inception on April 22, 1912, until its disbanding on March 28, 1974. On the same day it was disbanded, the 11th Battalion in Northwest Baltimore was established, with two of the former Marine Battalion Chiefs being assigned there.