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There were several major fires in Marin County in 1919, including this wind-driven wildland interface fire in the southern end of Sausalito in September. Twelve homes, five stores, and a church hall were destroyed before the Sausalito Volunteer Fire Department, the U.S. Army, the San Francisco Fire Department , the Larkspur Fire Department, and numerous members of the public were able to subdue the flames.
When I first found articles about the fire in the Sausalito News from that week, I wondered why the Mill Valley, Corte Madera, and other departments were not there. Why just Larkspur?
The answer was of course there was another large fire at the same time, burning homes in Mill Valley and threatening Muir Woods. That story is coming. Start by reading about the Sausalito fire under our Major Fires Menu>Wildland Urban Interface Fires.
When I first found articles about the fire in the Sausalito News from that week, I wondered why the Mill Valley, Corte Madera, and other departments were not there. Why just Larkspur?
The answer was of course there was another large fire at the same time, burning homes in Mill Valley and threatening Muir Woods. That story is coming. Start by reading about the Sausalito fire under our Major Fires Menu>Wildland Urban Interface Fires.
The Sausalito Volunteer Fire Department several years before the big fire of 1919.
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The Marin County Association of Fire Departments was formed over 87 years ago "…for mutual aid and assistance to the various departments, to bring them into a closer relationship, with a central body, where matters could be discussed and acted on for the benefit of all…" The group began shortly before the huge wildfire in Mill Valley and on Mt. Tamalpais in 1929. It was founded by only a few of the fire departments - the charter members were Cal Park, San Anselmo, and Kentfield. By the next month, Corte Madera and Mill Valley had joined, with Larkspur and Novato soon to follow. After the fire, however, eventually most if not all of the FD's joined in when it became apparent that everyone should work together. By 1930, the group had received a formal commendation from the Marin County Board of Supervisors.
Sadly, the group ended in 1963, but not before giving birth to the Marin County Fire Chiefs Association. This Sunday night MCFCA will hold the 52nd annual Installation Dinner, where in a traditional ceremony the outgoing officers and retiring chiefs will be recognized, awards will be given, and the new officers will be installed. Next week we'll be posting photographs and the details of that event. Read about the histories of the MCAFDs and MCFCA under our "More" menu, under the Current and Former Associations sub-menus. Included are the original minutes and by-laws from 1928 and 1929, along with the 1930 commendation from the BOS.
Sadly, the group ended in 1963, but not before giving birth to the Marin County Fire Chiefs Association. This Sunday night MCFCA will hold the 52nd annual Installation Dinner, where in a traditional ceremony the outgoing officers and retiring chiefs will be recognized, awards will be given, and the new officers will be installed. Next week we'll be posting photographs and the details of that event. Read about the histories of the MCAFDs and MCFCA under our "More" menu, under the Current and Former Associations sub-menus. Included are the original minutes and by-laws from 1928 and 1929, along with the 1930 commendation from the BOS.
This is a photo from 1914 of the Larkspur Association of Volunteer Firemen holding their annual installation dinner at the Blue Rock Hotel on Magnolia Ave. in the downtown.