Exhibit Sheds Light on History of Firefighting

In 1969, torrential rains triggered a mudslide that swept through the Silverado Canyon volunteer fire station and carried away Chief K. Lynn’s helmet into a flooded creek. Almost 20 years later, workers at the Blue Diamond Sand and Gravel Pit found the helmet and returned it to the station.

That helmet, along with dozens of other historical and educational items, are in a free public exhibit opening today at the Old Orange County Courthouse Museum in Santa Ana.

“Where’s the Fire? The Story of Firefighting in Orange County” is probably the most comprehensive display of local firefighting paraphernalia ever assembled, said Don Croucher, museum committee chairman for the Orange County Fire Services Assn.

The exhibit is jointly sponsored by the fire association, which is an umbrella organization for county firefighters; and the courthouse museum, operated by the county Department of Harbors, Beaches and Parks.

Among objects on display are glass fire-extinguishing grenades from the early 1900s. The devices were filled with fire-suppressing materials and thrown at the blaze. Also included is a working fire-alarm system from about 1930.

Educational displays include Smokey Bear posters dating back to 1939 and newspaper stories on the consequences of playing with matches.

Croucher said the objects came from personal collections and local fire stations. He said the association hopes that the exhibit, set to run for seven months, will lead to establishment of a permanent museum at another location.

The exhibit at 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd. will open today with the “muster” of a dozen modern and antique fire engines from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Starting next week, hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.

Croucher said he hopes the display will also refute a long-standing myth about firefighters.

The public perception, he said, is that “the guys sit around and play cards. Maybe in the old days, but there’s too much going on now.”