Visiting the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting, Phoenix AZ

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A Christmas present in 1955 evolved into the world’s largest museum devoted to firefighting. Mrs. George F. Getz Jr. gifted her husband with a 1924 American LaFrance pumper and that was the beginning of a collection forming the foundation of the museum Getz established in 1961. The Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting is among the area’s top attractions located in Papago Park across from the Phoenix Zoo. The facility is large and not all the trucks and equipment can be displayed. The ticket booth is like the front end of a fire truck. An introductory movie explains about the museum and highlights some of the features and unique items. The first gallery is devoted to vintage carriage pumps dating back to the 1800s. There are a few older pieces like a 1723 British hand pump and 1730 American pumper. It is row after row of glittering restored pieces and aisles are marked off by vintage fire hydrants. Carriage pumps were originally hand drawn carts then horse drawn as size grew. Many are ornate with intricate designs and polished brass and the movie explains American fire companies desired fancy designs as a symbol of pride and hired artists to do them. There are huge ladder wagons from 1890 and 1908. Besides colorful American, there are pieces from Britain, France, Germany, Austria and Japan. A smaller gallery features alarm boxes and bells and recreates an alarm room with live real time calls happening. The centerpiece is a saved from the scrapyard FDNY rescue truck that served during 9/11. Big motorized fire trucks are divided into two galleries (1909-30s and 1940s-50s). Here you start seeing long ariel ladder trucks alongside a small 1910 chief’s buggy. A gleaming 1938 truck that is driven in the annual Fiesta Bowl Parade. Fire engines are always red, right? Not so. Those in Colorado and parts of the Midwest favored white. There is a 1935 American LaFrance engine from Norfolk, Nebraska that is painted white with designs. More familiar appearing are a 1948 Mack red fire engine and 1962 Mack ladder and chemical truck. There are additional galleries for forest fire fighting, children’s section and Hall of Heroes paying tribute to those who died in service. The museum presents more than just objects on wheels. Look at the walls and see quilts made from fire department tees, 1892 silk parade banner from New London CT, vintage Japanese fire uniform, old European insurance company marks from buildings, collection of vintage British badges, toys, models, figurines, leather hoses, brass parts and helmets. The ticket seller asks if visitors are fire department, Why? No, not for a discount but seeking to add to the museum’s vast collection of over 3000 fire department patches from around the world that are displayed. The museum is well done and offers much to see. Even if you are not a firefighting aficionado, the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting is worth visiting. Photo is Pixabay