A Legacy of Service
May 8th, 1895
A FRATERNAL GATHERING: First Meeting of Representatives of Local Companies
THE FIRE BOYS ORGANIZE
The Southern California Firemen's Association Formed
An entire day was given up to routine business. A constitution was adopted, officers were elected, and details perfected pursuant to a call from the Redlands, Cal., fire department. The following organizations met, by their delegates, at San Bernardino on Monday in the hall of Hose Company No. 1 for the purpose of organizing a permanent body to be known as the Southern California Firemen’s Association: San Bernardino, Pomona, Redlands, Riverside, Santa Barbara, and Santa Monica fire departments.
The convention was organized by electing A. G. Jackson of Redlands chairman pro tempore, and M. Burke of Santa Barbara temporary secretary. At 10 a.m., Mr. Jackson called the meeting to order and addressed the assembled delegates on the objects, aims, and purposes of the firemen’s convention. The original invitation for this meeting, extended by A. G. Jackson to all fire departments in Southern California, was read, after which the convention listened to the replies from the different companies.
The fire departments of Redlands, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, Pomona, Colton, Riverside, and San Bernardino responded not only favorably, but enthusiastically. An unfavorable answer was returned from the chief of the Pasadena fire department, although it does not appear that this officer presented the matter before the local fire organization.
O. W. Bates of Santa Barbara and O. D. Collins of Redlands offered a number of valuable suggestions concerning the proper business to transact at this point. By direction of the convention, the chairman appointed the following committee on credentials:
Messrs. O. D. Collins (Redlands), G. W. Bates (Santa Barbara), G. W. Strong (Pomona), George F. Ward (Riverside), and J. H. Tittle (San Bernardino). A recess of ten minutes was then ordered to enable the committee to formulate a report.
Upon resuming, the committee on credentials submitted its report as follows:
We find the following named delegates entitled to seats in this convention:
San Bernardino, three delegates — J. H. Tittle, Charles Binkley, H. ——
Pomona, three delegates — G. W. Strong, C. C. Zillis, P. Edgar
Redlands, three delegates — J. E. Brown, A. G. Jackson, O. D. Collins
Riverside, three delegates — G. F. Ward, S. L. Wright, R. Roberts
Santa Barbara, two delegates in attendance (three elected) — Edmund M. Burke, G. W. Bates, carrying three votes
O. D. COLLINS, Chairman
G. W. BATES, Secretary
Committee on Credentials
The committee submitted the above as a partial report in anticipation of the arrival of other delegations, and with this understanding the report was duly adopted.
Proceeding with the permanent organization of the Southern California Firemen’s Association, the following officers were elected:
- President: O. D. Collins (Redlands)
- First Vice President: A. G. Jackson (Redlands)
- Second Vice President: G. W. Bates (Santa Barbara)
- Treasurer: J. H. Tittle (San Bernardino)
- Secretary: Edmund M. Burke (Santa Barbara)
- Trustees: M. A. Bagley (Colton), G. W. Strong (Pomona), A. J. Myers (Santa Monica)
- Delegate to the National Firemen’s Convention: O. D. Collins
The president-elect then took the chair and delivered a brief speech, thanking the convention for the honor conferred upon him.
The other officers also entered upon the discharge of their duties and made appropriate remarks.
The president appointed the following committees:
- Committee on Printing: J. E. Matot, G. F. Ward, J. H. Tittle
- Committee on Tournament Rules: C. C. Zillis, J. E. Matot, R. Roberts
- Committee on Railroad & Transportation: M. A. Bagley, Adam Ott, G. F. Ward
- Committee on Legislation: G. W. Strong, Charles Binkley, A. J. Myers
The Committee on Tournament Rules submitted its report concerning regulations that should govern the annual tournaments to be held under the auspices of the association. A few amendments were offered, all ideas proposed were freely discussed for some time, and finally, the report, as amended—embracing a full set of rules patterned after the Missouri State Southwestern Firemen’s Association—was adopted by unanimous vote.
The selection of the next place of meeting being in order, G. W. Bates arose and, in a forcible speech, placed Santa Barbara in nomination. He reminded the delegates that no better time or place could be chosen for the next session and tournament than the Channel City at the floral festival of 1895. Edmund M. Burke seconded the nomination and urged the selection of Santa Barbara on account of the advantages presented by that city: cheap rates of transportation by land and water during the carnival season, the importance and strength of the local fire department, and many other substantial claims.
The Santa Barbara delegation made such an able presentation of their case and spoke in such high terms of their city that no rival had the temerity to oppose them. Consequently, the convention unanimously selected Santa Barbara as the next session and tournament site of the newly organized Southern California Firemen’s Association.
The secretary was instructed to forward copies of the constitution, bylaws, and organizational proceedings to all fire departments in Southern California.
Several incidental matters were debated, and many suggestions were offered to the officers and committees, while the delegates were advised to further the interests of the association within their respective departments.
A vote of thanks was extended to Fire Chief J. H. Tittle and the San Bernardino Fire Department for their hospitality, kindness, and many acts of courtesy.
Closing remarks were made by A. G. Jackson and O. D. Collins of Redlands, the promoters of this organization. On motion of S. L. Wright of Riverside, seconded by G. F. Ward of Riverside, the association adjourned.
