Chief Maxwell. Date unknown, 1958-1972.
In 1972 Chief Eugene Borden became the second career Fire Chief, replacing Chief Maxwell. During Chief Borden's administration, on 1 May 1974, the establishment of the first fire department Advanced Life Support services in Northern California became a reality, and two new pumpers were delivered, 1500gpm Van Pelts.
Chief Gene Borden in Model T fire engine. Driver is not in photo for some reason. Photo 1972-1979.
Two shots of the sign announcing the Fire Service Day Open House. Date unknown
"Miss Flame" at a public education event, possible Fire Service Day, at the Central Avenue station. Date unknown.
Fire engine demonstration either behind the Sunnyoaks Station, or behind where the station will be built. The water is being shot into the percolation pond. Date unknown.
Fire Department Babysitting Program. The Safesitters program continues to this day, run by County Fire's Public Education Division. Photo date unknown.
Photos of Campbell's first paramedics can be seen on the Emergency Medical Services page.
Four shots of Campbell's 1976 Oshkosh/Van Pelt Engine 2, with a 1500gpm pump and a 500 gallon tank. It had a Detroit Diesel motor. Shots two and three are in front of the Sunnyoaks Station.
This 1976 Oshkosh/Van Pelt ran for Campbell a Engine 1 (left, shown in front of station 1), then as Engine 101 (right). It had a Detroit Diesel engine, a 1500gpm pump and a 500 gallon tank.
Left photo February 1978.
Campbell had two identical Oshkosh/Van Pelt rigs. Engine 23 was at Station 2, Engine 24 was at Station 1. They were re-numbered as stated above, then when the KMEs were delivered Engine 1 became Engine 101 and Engine 2 became Engine 201.
An early Campbell FD pickup at an event at one of Campbell's parks. Photo April 1966.
These photos are the official delivery photos, taken by American LaFrance, of Engine 23, a 1959 series 900 engine, with a 1000gpm pump and a 500 gallon tank. It is distinguished from the 1961 engine below by it's hard suction connection in front.
Note the open compartments in the rear, shown in the last photo. These two compartments, above the rear wheels on the drivers side, contained SCBA gear, four sets mounted with their shoulder straps facing outward for instant donning on scene, and four spare air bottles. This compartment arrangement was first specified by the Campbell Fire Department when the engine was ordered from American LaFrance in 1961 for Engine 24 (below), and has been referred to as "Campbell Compartments" ever since. These compartments were later retrofitted to the 1959 Engine 23.
Three shots of Campbell's 1961 American LaFrance 900 as Engine 24. After being retired, this engine was purchased as surplus for $2000, and is currently owned and maintained by one of the county's volunteer firefighters.
Campbell's fire prevention program through the years also received numerous awards from the Fire Protection Association. Among the most prestigious awards include first place in the state of California in 1967. The department won this award three times in a row. The department also received the Grand Award, first place in the entire United States.
Left: Campbell Fire Department award, 23 March 1960, in the Governor's office. Left to right: mayor Pete B. Lico, governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown, Chief George R. Maxwell, and Dr. Rogers.
Right: Campbell Fire Department being awarded first place for 1963 in the State of California, by the National Fire Protection Association. Left to right: Fire Chief Maxwell, mayor Peter B. Lico, city manager Walter Thompson, fire marshal Gene Borden, and Chamber of Commerce president William Ziegler. Seated is governor Brown. Photo May 1963.
Campbell Fire Department being awarded first place, NFPA Award of excellence, 1968. Bottom left photo, from left: Bill Smeed, Chief Maxwell, Senator Alquist, and Governor Ronald Reagan. Bottom right photo, from left: Lieutenant Governor Ed Reinecke, Chief Maxwell, Campbell Mayor Homer Hyde and Chamber of Commerce President Neal Royer
This 1968 Chevrolet van was used by Campbell as it's second Rescue 25 Squad. A 1960 Ford pickup was the original rescue 25.
In 1969 a Chevrolet van was purchased and through donations a better equipped first aid vehicle was available for rescue calls. In contained a portable rescue saw, heavy rescue tools, inflatable splints, backboards and an updated resuscitator.
Chief Maxwell retired in 1972, and was succeeded by Gene Borden. When Chief Borden retired on a medical disability in 1979, James F. McMullen was appointed Chief on 16 April 1979. McMullen was appointed state fire marshal by governor George Deukmejian in 1985, and assumed his new state position on 1 July 1985. Gary Smith became Campbell's fourth full time fire Chief in October 1985.
Although the regular volunteers were officially disbanded on 24 September 1970, Chief McMullen started a program for reserves in 1984. The young men and women who were accepted had to undergo vigorous training to qualify.
The Campbell fire department gained statewide attention when it started the first paramedic program in northern California in 1972. Many local citizens had watched the popular television series "Emergency" which dealt with paramedics in southern California. One of the 1973 city Goals Committee recommendations was to start a program similar to the one in Los Angeles. Eight men became certified paramedics after almost one year of training at local hospitals and a short in-field experience with the city of Long Beach fire department paramedics. The city purchased a 1974 Chevrolet one-ton truck which was outfitted with a utility box featuring compartments for the new portable EKG, suction, hospital radio, expanded medical kits and the Hurst rescue tool. Additional photos of the paramedics can be seen on the Emergency Medical Services page.
Paramedic van 25. First aid kit and other articles laying in front of van with doors wide open. This new rescue unit was placed in service in February 1969. Campbell was first fire department to have a rescue unit in place in Northern California. Lettering, outfitting and interior construction were furnished by Mr. Lowder, Kamper Kits, Campbell Rotary, Campbell Firefighters and Campbell Jaycees. Photo c. 1970.
On 4 September 1974 the paramedic program was officially in service. In 1980, the purchase of a new rescue 25 vehicle was authorized, to transport patients requiring paramedic level treatment. The first paramedic vehicle is being preserved by the city as a visual symbol of this important program.
Campbell Fire used this 1960 Ford F-100 as a Rescue unit in 1973. It became a paramedic unit one year later.
Campbell engine company. Left to right: Garry Salmon, Captain Charlie Scanlon, Engineer Bill Falke. Photo January 1973.
Two views of Campbell's 1974 Chevrolet 454 Custom 130, with a body by A and A Truck Body. It was used as the third Rescue 25 Squad and Paramedic unit, the first Fire Department paramedic unit in Northern California. It had a highly modified 454 engine that could spin the rear tires when it shifted gears.
Chief James F. McMullen became the third career Chief of the department in 1979, replacing Chief Borden, who retired due to disability in 1978. In 1981, paramedic service is enhanced by increasing the service level to ambulance-paramedic service. The department at this time employed 34 personnel.
Fire Department staff in front of Sunnyoaks Station. Left to right: Chief George R. Maxwell, fire marshall Gene Borden and training officer Richard J. Bosted. Photo Feb 1978.
American LaFrance engine, taken behind Sunnyoaks Station, with the training tower in the background. Photo February 1978.
Department display for Campbell's Harvestival, autumn 1979. Left: Campbell's Model T and one of the department's Oshkosh/Van Pelts, in front of Campbell City Hall. Right: The Rescue and an engine also on display; Firefighters are talking with two city councilmembers. In the background is Campbell's signature watertower.
Open House demonstration, 13 October 1979, at the training tower behind the Sunnyoaks Station. Top left: Engine 25 demonstrates it's deck gun. Top right: the audience sits on the banks of the percolation that lies between the back of Sunnyoaks Station and the training tower. Bottom left: Structure fire demonstration. With smoke showing, the engines pull up on scene. At the rear of the engine at the base of the tower, a firefighter is preparing to connect a supply line to the hydrant barely visible at the end of the hedgerow.
A 1979 portrait of the Campbell Fire Department with all members named. As with all the other photos, clicking on this thumbnail will display a much larger version.
Chief James McMullen addressing an audience at one of the Campbell fire stations. Photo 1979-1985.
Campbell's 1979 paramedic unit, a Ford Chateau Camper Special with a Braun Ambulance body. It ran as Campbell's last Rescue 25; designators changed to E1, R1, E2, etc., in early 1980s.
In 1981 the department received a state-owned pumper.
In 1981 ground-breaking ceremonies were held for the new Headquarters Station at 123 S. Union Avenue. This station is now County Fire Campbell Station. This station was placed in service during midsummer 1982, and housed the administrative staff of the department in addition to Engine 1 and rescue 1.
Gaining access to a fire at a travel agency. Left photo (left to right): FF Bill Baziuk forcing entry, FF/P Lance Rupert, Chief McMullin. Right photo (left to right) FF/P Rupert, FF Baziuk climbing through window, Captain Mike Young, Chief McMullin. Photos date 1982.
In March of 1983, the Reserve program was initiated; the first class graduated in October, 1983. When Campbell merged with County Fire, the Reserve program merged with County Fire's Volunteer program. Many of the original Campbell Reserves still serve as County Fire Volunteer Firefighters today.
Throughout the '70s and '80s, the City of Campbell grew rapidly, becoming one of the most densely populated cities in Santa Clara County. Several times the concept of joining forces with Central Fire District was explored. Each time the circumstances did not lend themselves to a successful merger. The early '90s ushered in a different climate. The economic environment was less favorable and the firefighters again went to the public to point out that the city had outgrown the fire department. A very difficult and emotional decision was made by the Campbell City Council to contract with Central Fire District for fire services.
This 1988 Ford Econoline 350 with Horton body ran as Campbell paramedic rescue 1.
This 1992 International/Southern Ambulance Builders ran as Campbell Rescue and Paramedic Unit 1. After merging with County Fire, this rig was turned over to the Campbell Police Department, where it got minor cosmetic changes (blue stripe, different bar light, and a different door crest), and is still in use today as a SWAT vehicle, as can be seen in the photo on the right.
Campbell Engine 2 in it's original livery. After the merger, this engine served as Engine 10, then as Reserve Engine 110. Date unknown.
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