Archival Photo
A2011-001.1243 : Training exercises with Pompier Ladders
Sunday, December 31, 1905
A2011-001
AP/86933
Prior to having dedicated training facilities, the fire department used available tall buildings for drilling. Chief Campbell is watching the firefighters as they preform the training exercises on the back side of the old Exposition Building. The Exposition Building backed up to Multnomah Field, where various sporting events were held. In the lower right hand corner are the words "M.A.A.C Opponents signifying that the lower level of the building was used as the Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club's opponent's locker room. Notice the life net behind the training dummy. Later firefighters would complain that life nets were rarely used other than in training and that being on the receiving end of a jumper was not pleasant, as it was rough on arms, shoulders and backs. However, in earlier times, they were used, and Portland has one of the highest life-net rescues on record. During the Chamber of Commerce Building fire in 1906, a person jumped seven stories into a net, breaking the net and two of his ribs but otherwise living to tell the tale. A similar image to these appear in the book Portland Fire and Rescue on page 31. The description is from the book as well.
