Interview with
Joe Duarte
1. In your point of view what is the fire departments purpose?
I think that the fire departments purpose is to keep the city of El Paso safe from all emergency situations. 2. What was the most devastating fire in El Paso's history? El Paso's biggest fire happened in February 1892. It happened in the Grand Hotel and burned the building to the ground. 3. How has the fire department changed overtime? The fire department ahs grown so much. Many new stations have formed, technology has gotten better, trucks have improved and more man force. 4.What are the big ideas of being an El Paso fire fighter? I think that the biggest part of being a firefighter for El Paso's is that we can insure that our communities are safe. We are a family, we have a baseball team that as formed in the 1900's, these men are the brothers I've always wanted. The biggest thing is that after we put a fire out I think about how much we help and how we make a difference in others lives. 5. What patterns can you see in the fire department then and now? Just the consistency of how all firefighters love their jobs, back then it was volunteer; the men did it because they wanted to help, not because of the money. The men now are same, passionate about what they're doing and happy to help the city. 6. What trends do you think led up to omen being fire fighters? As women's rights became stronger, and women gained more equality, they were welcome into the fire department. |
7.What trends led to the fire department being paid for their services?
As the city grew there were more emergencies and the city realized that they needed a full time fire department and the men must be paid for their services. 8.How have all the fire departments changed throughout past present and future? They used to be hose wagon, with horses then the ladders got longer, and then they became humongous giant monster trucks with several ladders. 9.How was the El Paso fire department parallel to other early developing fire departments? It was ahead of its time in more than one respect, it used fog or spray nozzles as standard equipment in 1935. 10. What was the origin of despair during war time of the El Paso fire department? Commodities were in short supply the department declined during war times. 11. How have laws changed overtime that have affected the fire department? The state passed a law in 1959 requiring that firemen would not work more than 60 hours a week in cities the size of El Paso. 12.What paradox is there in a fire fighters schedule? A fire fighter worked 24 hours on duty and 48 hours off duty. This amounted to one week 72 hours and the next week 96 hours for two moths as the two shifts doubled up without benefit or overtime pay. 13. What parallels created a way a fireman should look? Official uniform was adopted in 1961, dark blue pants and a light blue shirt. |