Established in October 1996, the stated purpose of the Edmonds Fire Safety Foundation was “for charitable, benevolent, educational, social, cultural and scientific purposes in support of the Edmonds Fire Department.”
Four years after the Edmonds Fire Department was dissolved in 2009, the Edmonds Fire Safety Foundation voted to disband. On February 23, 2013 the EFSF officially transferred over its remaining holdings to the Edmonds-South Snohomish County Historical Society & the Edmonds Historical Museum. Along with the transfer of funds, our organization also took over the foundation’s goal of finding a permanent home for the 1938 Ford fire engine and the 1925 REO fire engine, and establishing a museum dedicated to the history of Edmonds Fire Department #1. We are currently working to establish a Snohomish County-wide Fire and Public Safety Museum, honoring all our first responders who care for and protect us, and their rich histories.
If you would be interested in helping make this happen by volunteering or donating, please contact Arnie Lund (vicepresident@historicedmonds.org) or Greg Jorgensen (gregjorgenson@comcast.net). With all the changes going on currently, this is the perfect time to really make a difference!
Supporting Edmonds Fire Department #1
Purchased for $3,200 in 1938, the 1938 Ford fire engine was Edmonds’ only pumper from 1938 to 1953, and in service until the late 1960’s. In 2004, through donations from the Edmonds community and the Edmonds Fire Safety Foundation, it was purchased from a private collector, and returned to the Edmonds Fire Department.
The 1925 REO Speedwagon fire engine was purchased in 1925 from A.G. Long Company of Portland, Oregon for $3,425. It was painted red and came with Foamite portable fire extinguishers and 300-feet of new hose – though there was no water tank on the engine. In 1938, it was replaced and sold for $300.