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- Fire Chief James Hill with Fire Trumpet, Oakland, California, circa 1895 - James Hill was the Oakland, California, fire chief in the late 1800s. The city council appointed him to this post in 1878 and he served as the city's first professional fire chief. Hill posed for this photograph with an inscribed presentation fire trumpet -- perhaps a gift for his service. Fire chiefs used less ornate trumpets to call out directions during fire emergencies.

- 1878-1882
- Collections - Artifact
Fire Chief James Hill with Fire Trumpet, Oakland, California, circa 1895
James Hill was the Oakland, California, fire chief in the late 1800s. The city council appointed him to this post in 1878 and he served as the city's first professional fire chief. Hill posed for this photograph with an inscribed presentation fire trumpet -- perhaps a gift for his service. Fire chiefs used less ornate trumpets to call out directions during fire emergencies.