..In May of 1859, three more companies were activated as follows:
Engine Co. 5 – Ann St., near Gough St. in the former quarters of the Columbian Fire Company, in service, May 1st with the new steam engine “Thomas Swann”, named for the Mayor, built by Murray & Hazlehurst of Baltimore and a new hose reel carriage with 1,000 feet of 2 3/4" hose.
Engine Co.4 – North St. at Orange Alley in the former quarters of the Monumental Hose Company, in service May 6th receiving the steam engine “Maryland” from the Mechanical Fire Company, renamed “John Cushing” in honor of the first President of the Fire Board and a new hose reel carriage with 1,000 feet of 2 3/4" hose.
Engine Co.6 – Gay St. and Ensor St. in the former quarters of the Independent Fire Company, in service May 17th, with the new steam engine “Deluge”, built by Murray & Hazlehurst of Baltimore and a new hose reel carriage with 1,000 feet of 2 3/4" hose.
..On July 1, 1859, the Fire Alarm Telegraph system was placed in service in Baltimore. Constructed by Gamewell, Phillips & Co., it consisted of fifteen miles of wire, connecting thirty street boxes distributed on five circuits and were of the pattern known as “crank” boxes. Cost of the system was $33,000.
..The first alarm of fire received from the new boxes occurred the next day on July 2, 1859 at 10:30 PM. from Box #53, which was sounded for a fire in a frame work shop at the Mount Claire Shops of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Engine Co.2 promptly responded, and the flames were quickly subdued.
In September of 1859 the final two companies authorized by the ordinance establishing the department were activated as follows:
Hook & Ladder Co.2 – Paca St., north of Fayette St. in the former quarters of the Howard Fire Company, in service September 12th, when Engine Co.1 moved into the new addition adjoining the original house. Received one long truck from the Mount Vernon Hook & Ladder Co.
Engine Co.7 – Orchard St., near Madison Ave. in a temporary frame structure, in service September 27th, pending completion of a new house at Eutaw St. and Ross St. (Druid Hill Ave.), with the new house being occupied on January 7, 1860. Received the new steam engine “Baltimore” built by Poole & Hunt of Baltimore and a new hose reel carriage with 1,000 feet of 2 3/4" hose.
..The original ordinance creating the paid department had called for a force of six steam engine, and two hook & ladder companies. The Board of Fire Commissioners later requested the number of engine companies be increased to eight. The Mayor and City Council agreed on seven.
..Mr. Charles T. Holloway, former president, and a founding member of the Pioneer Hook & Ladder Company No.1, had been appointed Chief Engineer of the new department on December 12, 1858.
..On his appointment the members of the Pioneer Hook & Ladder Co. procured Vollandt’s Cornet Band and proceeded to Chief Holloway's residence complimenting him with a fine serenade. Afterwards they serenaded Mayor Swann, who invited them all in. Among the toasts drank was to “the success of the new paid department”.
..The new Fire Department was divided into two districts, the first, all of the city west of Calvert St., and the second, all of the city east of Calvert St. An Assistant Engineer was appointed to be in charge of each.
..The best men obtainable from the volunteer companies were selected for the new department. One of the most noticeable changes introduced was the large reduction in the force employed, the whole number of men in the paid department at its inauguration being only one hundred and fifty-three, or not more than often were seen attached to a single engine under the old system.
..Chief Engineer Holloway, in his first Annual Report to the Board of Fire Commissioners, dated January 2, 1860, said:
“I am pleased to inform your honorable body that the result of the steam fire department is no more a matter of speculation. Its practical working has been fully demonstrated, its efficiency fully tested, and its advantage proved. The Sabbath Day has been free from all disturbance, violence, and all scenes of disorder; good order has prevailed in all the operations of the department, and I have the congratulations of many parents and guardians for the beneficial change effected by the introduction of the paid fire department. The practical results of the system should be a subject of congratulation to parents, and all others having charge of the youths, as by its operations the young are prevented from mingling in and attaching themselves to associations that under the old system proved so disastrous to the morals of so many young men.”
Service for the first year of operation of the paid department:
Fires.........98
Losses......$350,000.00
..This was a large decrease in the number of fires from that of previous years, in consequence of which a reduction was made by the insurance companies of Baltimore by about twenty-five percent.
..During the next ten years the equipment of the department was maintained approximately as organized. Not until 1871 was another fire company added.
..In addition to the regular force, there was from the year 1862, a number of substitute members, averaging about five to a company. These substitutes took the place of firemen who were sick, injured, or on leave of absence, and were paid only for the time they worked. Vacancies in the Department were filled by promotion from the ranks of the substitutes.
..On October 29, 1866, an alarm of fire was sounded from box #3, for a building fire on Baltimore St., near Hanover St. The fire originated in the cellar, and valuable time was lost in an effort by the employees of the establishment to extinguish the flames before the alarm was sounded. By the time the Fire Department arrived, the fire had gained such headway that it had spread to all floors of the building, and the entire department had to be summoned to battle the fire. Fireman Charles Bertram, of Engine Co.2, along with several other firemen on the street, were struck by the falling cornice from the four story building, and he died several days later from his injuries. This, unfortunately marked the first line of duty death for the Baltimore City Fire Department.
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