Oakland, California Fire Alarm System

[kettenhund54]

I wanted to post a short history of the City manufactured fire alarm boxes used in Oakland, California. The Oakland boxes were those made by the Oakland Electrical Department from approximately 1911 - 1978.  The original Oakland boxes were cast iron and distinguished by a diamond in the roof front of the box as were the police call boxes. When the Gamewell 1922 quick action doors were released, Oakland adopted those as their standard. Gamewell modified their boxes in 1924 and Oakland kept the basic design and modified it for their needs. From that point, Oakland cast it's own doors and shells and modified the pull hook and movement.  Oakland boxes have a clockwise movement and Gamewell a counter clockwise movement. The shells were cast in aluminum(except for 25 cast in cast iron in the early years 1911-1922),with the words Oakland Electrical Dept. replacing the diamond in the roof  The City of Oakland Electrical shop had all the casting done locally and machined the majority of the
movements. My grandfather joined the Oakland Fire Department in 1911 and rose through the ranks, retiring out as Captain in charge of Chemical Company 1 based at City Hall in 1941. My dad joined Oakland Fire Department the day my grandfather retired and retired out as First Assistant Chief in 1972. I "defected" and became a Deputy Sheriff, retiring out after 34 years of service in 2009. I have an intense interest in police and fire memorabilia and communications systems. I'm posting a photo of that Oakland box with the glass sticker on it. If anyone knows who owns this box please let me know as I want to get a scan or copy of the door glass warnings and instructions.

[1stdue72]

If you haven't already had a reply to your request, here is a photo of the sticker on the break glass of an Oakland Electrical box.

[Box 2565]

This street scene from 1955 shows Park Blvd. in Oakland with a pedestal mounted box on the corner.
Image from eBay.

[gls24]

Here is my cleaned up scan of the Oakland box QA handle warning for anyone who desires to use it.

[Randy Wootton]

Visit this web site for more information about City of Oakland Fire and Police Call Boxes

http://www.myoldfirebox.com/about-us.html