Rouge: Pictured in Its Prime

38. Fire Department

38 FIRE DEPARTMENT Although the City of Fordson and, later, the City of Dearborn possessed excellent firefighting equipment and responded to fires within the Rouge complex when needed, the Rouge had its own facilities for fighting fires. Located centrally within the plant, between the glass plant and the springand -upset building, was the firehouse. With Ford chemical and ladder trucks, firefighters were able to reach any of the many buildings within minutes. A cadre of nearly 100 uniformed men served on the twenty-four-hour fire protection force. All Ford buildings were well equipped with fire preventive devices. Water mains, hose racks, and hand extinguishers were installed throughout the Rouge. These devices were inspected and maintained at regularly scheduled intervals. Although thousands of fires were prevented and hundreds aborted, occasionally a fire would get out of hand, causing considerable damage. In addition to their fire prevention work, the firemen also played their part in the general program of cleanliness by operating the plant laundry that provided workers with 130,000 sterilized towels every twenty-four hours. 235 The Rouge fire department day crew in front of the fire station. The spring-andupset building is visible on the left, and the glass plant (not visible) is immediately adjacent on the right. (833.82339) 236 Top: The demonstration crew shows off its three vehicles. (833.82339-9) Bottom: The 1932 Ford ladder truck beside the Rouge fire station. (833.82339-14) Opposite, top: Fire hose and extinguishers are inventoried inside the fire station. (833.82339-7) Opposite, bottom: A fireman cleans and repairs lanterns in the fire station. (833.82339-8) 238 This fire in the B building on December 15, 1948, was a major conflagration. (833.87743-6) Opposite, top: Workmen assess the damage caused by the B building fire. (833.87742-9) Opposite, bottom: Damage to the Mercury assembly line in the B building. (833.87742-15) ...