San Jose Fire Museum

09/11/2026

Remembering Division Chief Steve Alvarado of San José Fire Department. Firefighters, families, and the California Fire Foundation honor his memory Saturday, October 3 at the Ceremony.

San Jose Fire Fighters

If you're unable to attend, you can live stream the event. For more information: cafirefoundation.org/memorial cafirefoundation.org/programs/california-firefighters-memorial/

09/10/2026

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🇺🇸 Save the Date: Join the San José Fire Department and partner agencies for a Patriot Day Commemorative Ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, in Downtown San José. The event begins with a procession at 10:45 a.m. on 9/11/26, followed by a ceremony and reception. All are welcome!

Learn more: bit.ly/SJFDPatriotDay2026

City Of San José

09/10/2026

09/08/2026

From the Archives: San Jose Fire Department Recruitment — 1972 East San Jose Sun Newspaper 🚒

More than half a century ago, the City of San José Outreach Program placed this advertisement encouraging a new generation to consider a career with the San José Fire Department

The 1972 ad, published in both English and Spanish, invited men between the ages of 21 and 30 with a high school diploma or GED and in good physical condition to apply. It offered health insurance, retirement, paid sick leave, holidays and vacation—and the opportunity for advancement.

And then there was the salary.

In 1972, a San José firefighter started at $895 per month — $10,740 per year.

Today, annual pay is approximately $107,000, or roughly ten times the dollar amount advertised in 1972.

But that doesn’t tell the whole story.

Adjusted for more than five decades of inflation, that $10,740 salary would be worth approximately $86,000 in 2026 dollars. That means today’s $107,000 salary represents roughly a 25% increase in real purchasing power compared with the starting salary offered to firefighters in 1972.

The salary has changed.
The equipment has changed.
And San José has certainly changed.

But one line in this old advertisement still stands out:

“YOU CAN QUALIFY.”

For generations, advertisements like this introduced San José residents to a career in the fire service. Some of the young men who saw this very advertisement may have answered that call, joined the San José Fire Department, and spent the next several decades protecting their community.

More than 50 years later, it’s a fascinating snapshot of not only what firefighters were paid, but how San José recruited the people who would become the next generation of its fire department.

Another piece of San José Fire Department history worth preserving.

09/08/2026

From the Archives: San Jose Fire Department Recruitment — 1972 East San Jose Sun Newspaper 🚒

More than half a century ago, the City of San José Outreach Program placed this advertisement encouraging a new generation to consider a career with the

The 1972 ad, published in both English and Spanish, invited men between the ages of 21 and 30 with a high school diploma or GED and in good physical condition to apply. It offered health insurance, retirement, paid sick leave, holidays and vacation—and the opportunity for advancement.

And then there was the salary.

In 1972, a San José firefighter started at $895 per month — $10,740 per year.

Today, annual pay is approximately $107,000, or roughly ten times the dollar amount advertised in 1972.

But that doesn’t tell the whole story.

Adjusted for more than five decades of inflation, that $10,740 salary would be worth approximately $86,000 in 2026 dollars. That means today’s $107,000 salary represents roughly a 25% increase in real purchasing power compared with the starting salary offered to firefighters in 1972.

The salary has changed.
The equipment has changed.
And San José has certainly changed.

But one line in this old advertisement still stands out:

“YOU CAN QUALIFY.”

For generations, advertisements like this introduced San José residents to a career in the fire service. Some of the young men who saw this very advertisement may have answered that call, joined the San José Fire Department, and spent the next several decades protecting their community.

More than 50 years later, it’s a fascinating snapshot of not only what firefighters were paid, but how San José recruited the people who would become the next generation of its fire department.

Another piece of San José Fire Department history worth preserving.

09/08/2026

San Jose Mercury. 1915 Rare photo of San Jose Fire Department Engine 1.

“One the last runs” of fire horses in San Jose.

“FIRE BELLS-Photographer happened along at just right moment to snap action picture of Blutcher, Frank and Dick galloping out of old Central Fire Station on N. Market St. in response to fire alarm.

Tim Sullivan is driver. This was one of loyal team’s last runs before retirement to farm in 1915.”

From the collection of the San Jose Fire Museum. Juan F. Diaz used AI to colorize it and made some minor changes as the original newspaper print is faded.

08/31/2026

East San Jose Fire Department, 1910

This frontal view of the East San Jose Fire Department is a photograph I had never seen before. The original image is from History San José and was colorized by Juan Diaz.

The third image is a more familiar photograph of the department from the same era.

According to History San José:

“Members of the East San Jose Fire Department pose outside the fire station with hose reels and ladders. From left to right: M. H. Conklin, Town Marshal of East San Jose; Joe Cunan, Fire Chief; William Lowe, member; Paul A. Ganshirt, Third Assistant Fire Chief; William R. Biaggi, Secretary; William Farrar (Oregon Bill); and George Landers, members.”

The East San Jose Fire Department served the community east of Coyote Creek near Alum Rock Avenue. East San Jose was annexed into the City of San José in 1911, bringing the area and its fire protection into the growing city.

A great glimpse into San José’s early fire service history.

08/28/2026

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🚒 A new chapter for Fire Station 8!

On Thursday morning, the San José Fire Department celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the new Fire Station 8 at the corner of E. Santa Clara St. and 13th St. in Downtown San José. The new station officially replaces the former Station 8, which proudly served the City for 113 years.

City and Fire Department officials shared remarks before guests enjoyed photo opportunities and a guided tour of the new facility. We were grateful for the incredible support from the local community and the pride residents have for their neighborhood fire station. It was wonderful to celebrate this milestone together!

A special thank you to Con Azucar Café for their generous donation of delicious pastries and coffee for our guests. ☕🥐

Watch the full recording of the event at: https://youtu.be/LNtbR6iJTMc
Councilmember Bien Doan Councilmember Anthony Tordillos Mayor Matt Mahan City Of San José Con Azucar Café

08/28/2026

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1380148924252168&id=100067712200504&mibextid=wwXIfr

04/19/2026

“Motor trucks can’t love you—and they can’t love you back.”
In 1915, San José firefighters faced the end of an era as their beloved firehorses were retired and replaced with motorized engines. These weren’t just animals—they were trusted partners. They knew the difference between a drill and a real fire, “knew their places,” and would be ready to run in seconds, eager and steady on the streets.

Firefighters welcomed the speed and efficiency of the new engines, but the loss was deeply personal. One driver put it simply: “They’re good machines, alright, but you can’t love ’em… It gets mighty lonesome around here without Blutcher and Frank and Dick.”

Another reflected on the quiet emptiness left behind—stalls gone, replaced by polished red trucks. Progress had arrived, but so had a sense of loss.

Even then, the fire service balanced innovation with heart—a reminder that behind every advance, there are traditions, bonds, and partners that shaped the job we know today.