Firehouse poleIn 1878, the first U.S. firehouse pole was installed in New York City, by Capt. David B. Kenyon to reduce the time for men to travel to the ground floor from the second floor at Engine Company 21*. Fire stations had added a second floor for a sleeping and relaxation area. Although some stations had sliding chutes, Kenyon thought a pole would be faster. With the chief's permission, a hole was cut in the floor for a 3-inch diameter wooden pole, which Kenyon had sanded carefully and oiled. Following its success, in 1880, the first brass pole was installed in Worchester, Mass. by Charles Allen of Engine Company No. 1.«[Image: Fireman ready to slide down the pole in the dormitory of Fire Hall No. 7, Calgary, Alberta, c.1910] |
