Historical Note

Seattle amended its City Charter in 1883 to establish a fire department. It provided for equipment purchases, but not for hiring firefighters. By 1889, Seattle had seven volunteer fire companies. Following the Great Fire of 1889, a professional fire department was created with five district fire stations and purchase of a fire boat. The first Fire Chief of the professional department was Gardner Kellogg, who served 1890-1892 and 1895-1901. A Board of Fire Commissioners was established by the 1890 City Charter to prescribe rules and regulations for the Department. The Board's responsibilities included enforcing rules violations and appointing the Fire Chief and all subordinate officers. The Board was abolished with passage of a new City Charter in 1896. The Department's mission is to curtail loss of life and property by fire through inspection and certification of building safety systems, public education, regulation of hazardous material storage, and fire suppression.

The position of City Electrician was created in 1909 by Ordinance 22354 as part of the Special Service Corps. The City Electrician was originally in charge of the Fire Alarm Telegraph System, the Police Signal and Telephone System, the wiring of public buildings, and other responsibilities. Responsibility for inspection of electrical wiring and equipment installed in and about buildings was transferred to the Building Department in 1914. In 1918, through Ordinance 38896, the title of City Electrician was changed to that of Superintendent of Fire Alarm and Police Signal Systems, a position filled by appointment by the Chief of the Fire Department.