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Show It Wasn t All Work 4B - WEST VALLEY VIEW Thursday, Sept. 10, 1981 . Laughter Made The Serious Days Lighter other material The large siren which was located at the station, and used to summon firemen at night and on weekends, began to blow. whine reverIts berated through the park striking fear in the hearts of participants whose first thought was naturally of home. But to the firemen it signaled the end of their entertainment . . because party or no party . . they were obliged to answer that call. At first we were hoping that it was all a joke, Marriott says, but not being equipped with radios like they are now, we got on the trucks and streaked for the fire station where we learned that we were heading for a blaze in West Jordan. When they got there they found that the fire was in a dairy barn, where the owner had driven out all the cattle. But his valuable equip- - (PART THREE OF A THREE PART SERIES) by LaRee Pehrson d high-pitche- Life for men on the first Salt Lake County Fire Department volunteer force was not all work, as you might imagine, for in addition to fighting fires they often participated in conventions, bazaars and a variety of parades. In fact, no parade in Murray was complete without the inclusion of the force, who were clad in fancy dress uniforms exhibiting the latest in fire fighting equipment specifically designed to protect the populus. . . And nothing offered that dedicated crew more recognition than that promenade down State Street where they were applauded by the crowds that lined the street. One parade in particular is etch- - that was spread all over the floor. Not only that, he adds, but during the course of the fire the cement floor had become so slippery that we spent as much time on our bottoms as we did on our feet. When the fire was out the tired fire fighters headed home for a bath and clean clothes. But much to their dismay, when they got back to the park there was no food left. Marriott also recalls that the first fire hall was located on the second floor of a building that was located diagonally across the street from the old Arlington School. It was the old Murray Opera House, he says, and we held our meetings in a room, beneath the stage, where the performers used to get ready for their performances. The large hall where The Salt Lake Firemen in a Labor Day Parade. The scene shows the west side of State Street about the 5000 South area. husbands, would begin decorating the various booths a week or more in advance in a competitive effort to have the best decorated stall. I could go on at great length about the early days of fire fighting and the hardships we faced, he says, Like the times in the winter when he had to tow the fire hose back to the station over icy roads . . looking for all the world like a pile of black spaghetti . . . because the hose had frozen before it could be drained. Or I could talk about how the summers heat caused our feet to sink in the asphalt pavement which greatly hampered our fire fighting members of the original 50 smooth running, efficient operation that it is today. I guess you could say that my left alive. In summing up, he says that he was sure his father would have derived much satisfaction if he could see how the department he helped found has become the father planted an acorn that has grown into a mighty oak . . . the culmination of one mans dream, he concludes. . i First Fire truck of Salt lake County, circa 1921. ment was still in the building and the owners concern was evident. Now anyone who has ever fought a fire in a dairy barn will know what I mean when I say that soon we all began to look like little green men from Mars, Marriott laughs. Our beautiful new white uniforms were stained green from our neck to our shoes as a result of the water hitting the hay and the ed in the memory of Delbert Marriott, who recalls that the procession formed on 4800 South and was to end at Murray City Park where a huge barbecued steak luncheon had been prepared. The county group was led by two fire trucks, followed by its members wearing white uniforms, white shoes, white hats and black neck ties. And although they were stepping smartly to the rhythm of the parades marching band, the uppermost thought in their minds was the vision of the refreshments that were waiting at the end of the line. All went well until the parade disbanded at Murray Park. Then while the group stood around anticipating the prospect of enjoying the food an unexpected thing a- the audience sat was used by the firemen to host their dances, Christmas parties and a host of other functions, he adds. Marriott explains that the Ladies Auxiliary of the force held a lot of bazaars to raise money for the Firemens Aid Fund. He notes that the entertainments were always colorful affairs that attracted a large following. And the women, aided by their efforts. But instead Ill just say that in spite of the discomforts, my father and I enjoyed every minute of the time we spent with the men of the No. 1 Station. And very proud to have played a part in helping it grow. Albert Marriott died in 1933. But when he left the force in 1927, after a change in the political climate, he and his son Delbert returned to the blacksmith trade. They set up a business known as Marriott & Son which was located Mornext door to the Jenkins-Soff- e tuary on State. 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