This week we are sharing the start of a biography on long-time Kentfield Fire Protection District Chief Kenneth "Kenny" Kamp. All of our biographies are meant to be improved over time, with the help of the larger fire service community, and this one is no exception. We hope that the feature will prompt the sharing of additional photos, memories, and stories about Kenny.
Kenny's career spanned multiple eras in the fire service, from the 1950's into the 1990's. From using open cab fire engines with wood ladders, to sophisticated modern engines with fully enclosed cabs and features like hydraulic ladder racks. From painting fire engines red, shifting to yellow paint, and then back to red. From having no college fire education programs, to helping develop a full Associates Degree in Fire Science just down the street from the Kentfield fire station, at College of Marin. "He was an all-around good guy," said retired Tiburon Fire Chief Frank Buscher, also now deceased. We give thanks for contributions to Paul Smith, KFD Chief retired, Jim Galli, KFD BC retired, Ken Massucco, Marin County FD Chief, retired; Bob Marcucci, retired San Rafael Chief, and Bob Souza, Tamalpais Valley FPD Chief, retired. Kenny's story can be found under the More>Biographies menu, or by clicking below. Hard to imagine there was once a huge codfish processing plant in Belvedere. Not only was the facility part of a thriving business for decades, but it burned twice, with the final fire in 1937 bringing the end of the plant and an era. Homes were developed on the site along the bay a few years later, leaving no signs of the once thriving business.
Ever thought about codfish? Did you know that it was one of the most important fish to the development of North America? Were the fish caught locally? No, they were always caught up near the Aleutian Islands. The plant was opened and operated by the Union Fish Company in 1872. The Union Fish Company is still in business today - 152 years old and counting. Read all about the fire in this weeks posting under Major Fires, Structure Fires, 1917 and 1937. |
AuthorOur Blog announces new site content, and gives the context of the topic and it's relationship to fire service history. Written by Bill Lellis & Paul Smith Archives
August 2022
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