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Under Construction
Our web sight is up and running. We at the museum would like to thank GEOFFREY EMERY for not only designing but also for putting up with a bunch of old, cranky, retired firemen during the de-bugging stages of this sight.
Our museum is run by 3 board members who are retired from the L.B.F.D. In addition to the 3 board members, we currently have 5 volunteers who are retired L.B.F.D. 1 active L.B.F.D. and 5 civilans, who for some reason must enjoy being yelled at by 8 half deaf, sight impared, retires. These 14 individuals are responsible for maintaining the museum and all of the vehicles.
Our museum is old fire station #10 which was built in 1925 and consisted of the fire station in front and a city repair shop in the rear. Our curator, Herb Bramley, acquired the now museum in 1972. At that time, the fire chief, Robert Lesley,just gave Herb permission to temporarily park ONE of Herbs retired Long Beach fire engines in the unused station... the rest is history.
Since those early days, the Long Beach city council has designated that old station #10, which is a city historical building, as the Herb Bramley fire museum. The city rents this building to the museum at a very reasonable rate which allows us to to be open to the public free of charge. The museum is a non profit orginization and has no paid board members or volunteers. Our most consistant source of income has always been the active Long Beach firemen who generously donate their aluminum cans from all of the L.B fire stations and without their support, the museum would not exist as it does today.
In 1995, actor Larry Hagman donated a 1926 Ahrens-Fox Chemical wagon to the museum. This piece of history was originally housed at Long Beach Station 4 and thanks to the generosity of Mr. Hagman it was returned "home" and is on display at the Fire Museum.
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The Long Beach Fire Museum is a working museum and the equipment on display is in varying stages of restoration. Every Wednesday, retired and active Long Beach firefighters volunteer their time to work at the museum. At the present time there are approximately 10-14 people that volunteer. They are the museums resource to the restoration of the equipment and memorabilia.
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