In November 1958 Chief George Maxwell was appointed as the first career Fire Chief. Volunteers begin support role for professional career firefighters. Originally, there were only two platoons; each person worked every other day.
Maxwell proceeded to update the department. By 1959 there were eight full time paid firefighters. A new American LaFrance 1000 gallon (3785 l) triple combination pumper was purchased and was the pride of the department. A new 1959 Ford one-half ton pickup was outfitted with rescue equipment and was used on all types of emergency rescue calls. The medical aid unit known as Rescue Squad 25 was manned by advanced first-aid firefighters. The Squad carried light extrication equipment, welding and cutting tools and the first aid kit. The city bought the Chief a new 1959 station wagon in which to respond to fires.
Campbell firefighters attend to a house fire on Poplar Av near downtown, December 1960.
Campbell's Fire Chief drove this Chevrolet station wagon, seen here at a 1960 parade.
Engine 25, a 1961 American LaFrance pumping at a working housefire. Date unknown.
Two photos of Campbell's 1959 American LaFrance engine operating at a trash fire, March 1961. Note the firefighter in the black helmet wearing a canister-type breathing apparatus.
Crew with 1954 GMC/Van Pelt pumper. Photo March 1961.
Night fire in house. Photo June 1961.
Remains of a garage and motorcycle after a fire. Photo date unknown.
Fire at 49 West Hamilton Avenue. Firefighters Al Brown and Anderson shown. Photo 25 July 1961.
Campbell Fire Department storefront window display. Photo 6 October 1961.
Fire at Union Oil Gas Station, 15 October 1961.
Fire, date unknown. Firefighter Lee Markat pictured.
Campbell Station 1 lineups with apparatus and personnel. The left photo is one of several in a series of 'official' photos that all look pretty much the same, dated 24 November 1961. The color photo on right, dated December 1961, appears to be the one finally selected.
Model T engine during Fire Prevention Week, October, year unknown, circa 1960s. It is unknown whether the man with the revolver talking to the Chief is in costume, or if he is a law enforcement officer.
One of Campbell's American LaFrance engines, and the Model T, visiting the Cypress elementary school in Campbell. Probably during the October fire prevention week, as all of the students are in Halloween costumes. Original photo in polygon shape, date unknown, circa early 1960s.
In 1962 Fire Station 2 was opened at 775 W. Sunnyoaks Avenue. It housed a 1961 American LaFrance. The garage of this ranch-style home was elongated in order to accommodate the engine. Engine Company 2 remained at this temporary quarters for seven years.
House fire, 24 August 1962. Firefighters identifiable are Butterfield, Bernardo(?) and Clark. Clark has what appears to be a crash axe on his belt.
Night fire, possibly a transformer at the top of a telephone pole, 11 October 1962. Personnel identifiable are captian Scanlon and firefighter Anderson.
Training class taking place in the Central Avenue station. Gene Borden is teaching the class. Photos circa 1961-5.
Two Campbell firefighters setting up a ventilation fan, 21 October 1962. These fans are used for pushing fresh air into a house, or pushing smoke out.
Campbell Fire Department's participation in Settler's Day "The Biggest Yet - 71st Campbell's Old Settlers Day Celebration". Photo 8 April 1963.
Eight shot photo session of Campbell Station 1, mid-1960s.
Then and Now: Prior to the construction of Sunnyoaks Station, in 1961 a new station was opened in a leased tract house at 775 West Sunnyoaks Av. This house, with it's oversized garage, was no longer used when the current Station 10 was completed in 1970. On the left is Campbell's 1954 GMC/Van Pelt on the ramp; on the right is Engine 23 in the bay.
In 1961 Campbell received a class 4 insurance rating which was immense pride to the council and the department. In 1964 the city bought land on Sunnyoaks for a proposed fire station in the future. In 1967, a bond issue was passed to construct station #2 at 485 West Sunnyoaks Avenue. A training tower was also build on the grounds. In 1982, the present station on Union Avenue was constructed. The station at 51 North Central was then abandoned, and later became the home of the Campbell Historical Museum.
In 1969 Engine 2 moved up the street to new quarters at 485 W. Sunnyoaks Avenue. This station, now County Fire Sunnyoaks Station, also housed the Training Facilities, including a four-story drill tower.
Two more shots of the "temporary" Station 2, with Engine 25, a 1959 American LaFrance, 1000gpm pump, 500 gallon tank, in front of it.
Future location of Sunnyoaks Station 2. Sign, on fence in front of percolation ponds, reads "Future Location Fire Station #2 Vote Yes - Prop. D Oct. 24th". Photo 1964-1969. In photo on right, a similar sign supporting Prop. D, in front of the Central fire station.
Construction of the new Station 2, now Sunnyoaks Station. Photos Feb 1970.
In 1971 Engine 2 received a 1500gpm Seagrave Triple.
Two photos of Campbell's 1971 Seagrave Engine 23. Right photo shows it in front of Campbell Station, February 1978.
Sunnyoaks fire station, with Engine 23 and the Paramedic Van 25 in front. Photo November 1971.
Campbell firefighters looking over an American LaFrance 700 series mid-mount ladder truck, San Jose Aerial Truck 1, at the Sunnyoaks drill tower. Prior to the merger with County Fire, Campbell had a long history of relying on San Jose for ladder truck service. Photo circa late 1970's.
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