The 1940s

In 1939, John McMaster was appointed Fire Chief. He would hold that position for over 11 years. With the rumors of war in the early 1940's, Chief McMaster prepared the Fire Department. He convinced authorities that the "firemen" should be exempt from the draft due to the need for fireman to protect vital areas like San Pedro. Even though firemen became exempt from duty, over half the department enlisted. The department began hiring temporary replacements. Station 2, in the Walteria section, was cut back from two men to just one, and operated on a contract basis rather than a fully paid department.

With the end of the war, the firemen returned and the department went back to full time status. Station 2 was brought back up to two men and by 1948 a third man was added.

For fire protection in the north end of town, land was purchased in 1948 and a station was built at 3610 Artesia Blvd. The station was manned by one paid fireman and supplemented by several call men who were alerted by a roof top siren.

Towards the end of the decade the Fire Department purchased two 1949 Mack fire engines. One an open cab and the sister engine a closed cab. The open cab engine can be found running around the City today, owned and operated by the Torrance Jaycees.

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