D.C. Fire Dept. Celebrates 150 Years of Service with Historic Parade (photos)
By • May 16, 2022 0 3316
The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department celebrated its 150th Anniversary with a historic parade down Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C. on Saturday, May 14. It was the first time in 25 years that firefighters held a parade in the District.
The 150th Anniversary Parade started at 11 a.m. and lasted about an hour moving west on Constitution Avenue from 7th to 14th streets Northwest. It was led by the D.C. Fire Department Pipes and Drums followed by recruits and cadets carrying 102 District flags representing the 101 District firefighters who sacrficed their lives in the line of duty since the department’s founding, plus an additional flag for the undocumented firefighters and volunteers lost before 1871, when communities such as the City of Georgetown and Anacostia had their own independent fire departments.
Partners from the District Department of Transportation, as well as fire and EMS agencies outside the city that are in the Washington, D.C., region participated. “It’s bringing all of our regional partners together, people from inside the city, outside the city that really support us on a daily basis,” said Anthony Kelleher, Deputy Fire Chief of the DC Fire and EMS Department.
Following the parade, modern and antique fire fighting equipment remained on display in an “aparatus muster” on Pennsylvania Avenue where visitors could get a close-hand look. Among the items were relics such as a 1905 horse drawn steam fire engine. Also a piece of equipment that was hand-pulled over the streets of Frederick, Maryland, from 1893 to 1929.
“We’re celebrating 150 years of service that the Fire Department of the District of Columbia has provided to this community” said Fire Dept. information officer Vito Massiolo. “We look forward to 150 years more.”
View a slideshow of Jeff Malet’s photos of the parade by clicking on any of the photo icons below.
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- DC Fire Department In-Service Unit for the parade group photo. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- The parade down Consititution Ave. from 7th to 14th St. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- DC Fire Department Pipes and Drums. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Washington D.C. Fire Department Pipes and Drums. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Washington D.C. Fire Department Pipes and Drums. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Drum Major Scott MacLeod. DC Fire Department Pipes and Drums. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly, Sr. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- 30 year department veteran, Firefighter Technician Artis Trapp in front of Engine 1. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- 102 DC flags representing those who died fighting fires in the District. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- 102 DC flags representing those who died fighting fires in the District. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Friendship Woodridge International Marching Eagles (DC). Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Fire Dog Kai. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Antique fire equipment. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- 1905 American LaFrance Horse Drawn Steam Fire Engine. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Georgetown. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Franklin Square. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Special Operations. Battalion Fire Chief. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- EMS 1. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Dirty Faces Motorcycle Club. The words “Angel” and “Dirty” were a play on the designations given to firefighters who are often called angels due to their abilities to save lives and their soot faces resulting from the fires they fight. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Truck 23 from “Pigtown” neighborhood of Baltimore Md. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Truck 23 from “Pigtown” neighborhood of Baltimore Md. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Rockville Md. Volunteer Fire Dept. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Rockville Md. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Chevy Chase (Md.) Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- A Canteen Unit provides essential services to firefighters. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Kentland Volunteers. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Manassas Park Fire Rescue. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Brian Rudy (Greenbelt Md.) riding with Adrian, driving a 1935 Ford Howe. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Dept. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- City of Asbury Park (N.J.) Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- 1893 Hand Drawn Hose Reel built by Halloway in Baltimore Md. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Steve Hirsch, Independent Hose Company from Frederick Md. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- D.C. Deputy Fire Chief E.C. Rice. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Rockville Md. Volunteer Firefighter Ross Bennet. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Gracyn, age 6 from D.C. with Sparky. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- A display of modern and antique department equipment spanning decades from 14th Street down to 12th Street on Pennsylvania Avenue. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Warning to get out of the way – on an antique fire vehicle. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- A display of modern and antique department equipment spanning decades from 14th Street down to 12th Street on Pennsylvania Avenue. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Food on the Stove is a Washington DC based non-profit organization that increases awareness about health and wellness within the fire service by providing tools and resources to help members maintain healthier lifestyles with heart healthy eating practices and fitness activities. Photo by Jeff Malet.
