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The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military award in the United States Army for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force.
Did you know that a future Marin County Fire Department Chief was given this award for heroism in combat in World War I in Belgium?
We often say we'll "never forget" heroic acts, and it's clear that the several hundred people who attended his retirement dinner in 1962 had not forgotten. He was highly respected as a Soldier, Fire Chief, and Leader. Fast forward over 50 years later, and it's clear that most or all of the Marin County fire service had forgotten. This is yet another example why we are assembling this historical collection - so we'll remember. Visit Chief Reilly's page on Monday, and see some very special documentation.
Did you know that a future Marin County Fire Department Chief was given this award for heroism in combat in World War I in Belgium?
We often say we'll "never forget" heroic acts, and it's clear that the several hundred people who attended his retirement dinner in 1962 had not forgotten. He was highly respected as a Soldier, Fire Chief, and Leader. Fast forward over 50 years later, and it's clear that most or all of the Marin County fire service had forgotten. This is yet another example why we are assembling this historical collection - so we'll remember. Visit Chief Reilly's page on Monday, and see some very special documentation.
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Chief Coleman shown facilitating a strategic planning retreat in 2000 for the Marin County Fire Chiefs Association, held at Marconi Center.
Retired California State Fire Marshal and Chief Ronny J. Coleman is a fire service legend. We are proud to have awarded him an honorary membership in MCFCA following his work in Strategic Planning Retreats starting in 2000.
A prolific fire service author and historian, Coleman Chairs the National Fire Heritage Center, a non-profit effort to "preserve the perishable" in fire service history based in Emmitsburg, MA near the National Fire Academy. "... the current efforts to develop a Marin County fire history collection is significant because if has become a depository of some of those perishable components....Many years from today someone will visit the display and be grateful that it was assembled before it was destroyed by the passage of time and lost due to apathy. Please accept my congratulations for the extraordinary effort that has been undertaken to preserve the history of the Marin County fire service," said Coleman.
A prolific fire service author and historian, Coleman Chairs the National Fire Heritage Center, a non-profit effort to "preserve the perishable" in fire service history based in Emmitsburg, MA near the National Fire Academy. "... the current efforts to develop a Marin County fire history collection is significant because if has become a depository of some of those perishable components....Many years from today someone will visit the display and be grateful that it was assembled before it was destroyed by the passage of time and lost due to apathy. Please accept my congratulations for the extraordinary effort that has been undertaken to preserve the history of the Marin County fire service," said Coleman.
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The Marin County Association of Fire Departments formally began on February 15, 1929. The founding members were the FD's of California Park, San Anselmo, and Kentfield. By the next month, Corte Madera and Mill Valley had joined, with Larkspur and Novato soon to follow. The Association was formed "…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…"
A few months later, the huge Mill Valley and Mt. Tamalpais fire broke out on July 2. This massive fire required mutual aid from around the County. 117 homes were lost, but the event helped illustrate the need for such an Association. By November, most of the other departments had joined, and a very large meeting was hosted at the California Park FD. The Marin County Board of Supervisors recognized the Association in May of 1930 with a formal proclamation shown here.
A few months later, the huge Mill Valley and Mt. Tamalpais fire broke out on July 2. This massive fire required mutual aid from around the County. 117 homes were lost, but the event helped illustrate the need for such an Association. By November, most of the other departments had joined, and a very large meeting was hosted at the California Park FD. The Marin County Board of Supervisors recognized the Association in May of 1930 with a formal proclamation shown here.
The actual proclamation from the Marin County Board of Supervisors, that the Board "…most heartily approves and endorses the plan and purpose of the Marin County Association of Fire Departments.
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The Officers for MCFCA and the Sections for 2015 were installed by Central County Fire Chief Doug Williams from Sonoma County.
After several years of research and conducting interviews, we have started our Marin Fire History web site!
It was announced Sunday night at the annual Marin County Fire Chiefs Installation Dinner, held in the Community Room at Jason's Restaurant in Greenbrae. Right now we have only completed some of the structure, and will start uploading more content this month. This will include video. We appreciate your interest and support. Never Forget!
It was announced Sunday night at the annual Marin County Fire Chiefs Installation Dinner, held in the Community Room at Jason's Restaurant in Greenbrae. Right now we have only completed some of the structure, and will start uploading more content this month. This will include video. We appreciate your interest and support. Never Forget!