Chief Jim Nellis and A.A. Mussachia posing with Arcadia's first fire truck. Tires appear to be solid rubber. Location of this firehouse probably in part of City Hall facility at First and Huntington Drive.
Portraits of five members of the Arcadia Fire Department, taken from a page of the "Arcadia Police and Firemen Relief Association Annual Souvenir" (see Arcadia VF-Police-Archives). Pictured are Frank Hinman, Walter Best, Leo C. Bertolina, A.A Mussachia, and Jim M. Nellis.
Five men with fire and police vehicles outside City Hall at NW corner of First and Huntington Drive. Left to right: Grady Pardue (on motorcycle), Jim Nellis standing on running board of fire engine (Fire Chief), Anist Mussachia (fireman), Albert Matthies (police -- killed approaching car of three men planning hold up of ODETTES which was previous name of Pines Cafe on Huntington Drive). The man on extreme right in business suit is Chief of Police and Fire Marshall, A. N. Coberly. Photo taken at City Hall, NW corner of First and Huntington Drive, it is believed.
Formal photo of Arcadia Police Department. Back row left to right: Ross E. "Med" Cayer, Leo Bertolina, L. Jack Richards (chief of police), Henry W. Haines (father of George, later in charge of Mutuel windows at Santa Anita), Paul Edwards. Motorcycle officers, left to right: Jack Stine, Grady Pardue, Donald Ott. Standing in back: Jim Nellis, Fire Chief. Taken by police station on Wheeler Street. Identified September 9, 1970 by Bill Orr, former Police Chief.
Chief wants new fire station built. After a year of study using computer technology, Arcadia Fire Chief Jerry Gardner has recommended to the City Council that a fourth fire station be built in vicinity of Sixth and Live Oak Avenues.
Fire Chiefs of 19 Foothill cities met this spring and have worked out a strike force plan for more efficient fire fighting. Since the dry conditions make this potentially the worst fire season since 1920, this could mean great savings. A strike force will consist of 5 units directed by a team leader.
The Arcadia City Council has agreed to create new positions for deputy fire chief and fire division chief in the fire department. The salary range is $93,000-116,000 for the deputy fire chief and $85,000-105,000 for the fire division chief.
Fire Chief Michael Lang is leaving Arcadia Fire Department to be Fire Chief at Manhattan Beach. He was with Arcadia Fire Department for 21 years, including 5 as chief. He starts at Manhattan Beach Fire Department on June 21.
Group of youngsters, some wearing firemen's gear, in front of Fire Station at 50 Wheeler St. apparently on a tour of the facilities. The following is information from Dave Haney, Battalion Chief/Training Officer of the Arcadia Fire Department at 630 S. Baldwin, provided via email on November 18, 2007 : "The pumper in this photo was called 'Squad,' and was a Class B pumper, which means the fire pump is much smaller than the ones we have today (2007). It is a Mack with a 750 gallon per minute fire pump and a 400 gallon water tank. It ran as Engine 1 out of the Wheeler Station. When Wheeler Station closed, it was moved over to the Santa Anita Fire Station until she was retired. So far there has been some confusion over the year of manufacture of the pumper. Some old timers tell me either a 1943, 1944, or 1947."