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John W. Schwallenberg
Date of Birth: September 8, 1947
LODD Death Date: September 7, 1964
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
FALLEN FIREFIGHTER
NAME: John W. Schwallenberg AGE: 16
RANK: Firefighter BADGE #: N/A
STATION: Rescue Hose Company, Station #1 Annapolis
DATE OF DEATH: September 7, 1964
CIRCUMSTANCES OF DEATH: Firefighter Schwallenberg died from smoke inhalation while fighting a warehouse fire at Virginia Avenue and Chinquapin Round Road. Reports indicate he was wearing his breathing apparatus. It is unclear what happened, or how long he was inside the building. Firefighter Schwallenberg died the day before his 17th birthday.
BURIAL LOCATION: Hillcrest Cemetery – 1911 Forest Drive, Annapolis, MD (Anne Arundel County adc map 20-d-10). Edge of Forest Drive, near trees.
Notes: Articles – Evening Capital – September 8, 11, 1964
The Evening Star – September 9, 1964
Fire helmet and race car on headstone
PLAQUES, MEMORIALS, DEDICATIONS, ETC.:
- Book – Firefighting in the City of Annapolis 1755-1992
- Maryland Fire and Rescue Memorial, Annapolis
- Anne Arundel County Fallen Firefighters Memorial, Millersville
Capital Article
ANNAPOLIS, MD , TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1964
JOHN SCHWALLENBERG
On September 7, 1964, the Rescue Hose Company, suffered a tragedy when John Schwalenberg, age 16, died from smoke inhalation. Schwallenberg was the first member of a city fire company to die in the line of duty, since firefighting units were organized 189 years ago.
Schwallenberg was among the 150-160 firefighters from a dozen fire companies which battled a three-alarm blaze at a warehouse on Virginia Avenue. The fire started around 8:00 p.m., with the fire reported under control by 10:15 p.m.
The exact time of death is unknown. It is believed that Schwalllenberg and two other firefighters entered the south side of the warehouse at the opposite end from where the blaze started, and were enveloped in smoke. Though wearing gas mask, the men were overcome and transported to Arundel General Hospital.
The death of Schwallenberg brought to light the dangers of firefighting. Many people expressed their shock and dismay that young teenagers were allowed to participate so actively in this dangerous profession.
Capital Article
ANNAPOLIS, MD , FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1964
City Grieves Over Loss of Volunteer Fireman
Monday’s three-alarm fire here, which resulted in the death of a 16-year old volunteer fireman, appears to be one of those tragic occurrences for which there is no ready answer.
It is certainly heart-breaking that one so young and willing as John Schwallenberg should die on the very eve of adult life. He died in the line of duty, a volunteer for the protection of human life and property.
We join other community residents in extending our deepest sympathy to the family of this noble youth.
This unfortunate occurrence, which we feel could happen almost anywhere at any time in our nation, has had repercussions which bring serious questions concerning the continuance of a volunteer firefighting system.
For this reason mainly, we are taking a close editorial look at the firefighting setup in our town.
In the city limits there are five volunteer companies, composed of volunteers of all ages. Very few of the firemen are sixteen, but the bulk of those who actually fight the fires are 17-19 years old.
The city also has 29 paid firemen, including the chief, Charles H. Steele. Of these men, it tries to keep two paid men on duty in each fire house on every shift and three at headquarters in the Water Witch firehouse on East St. This is not always possible, due to vacations and illnesses.
Fire officials say that they would like to have as many mature, experienced volunteers as possible, but that things just don’t gravitate toward that direction.
Volunteer older men cannot n many cases leave their jobs to answer the ever increasing number of city alarms (their bosses would not condone it) and they generally have families, thus making it difficult for them to take week-long firefighting courses at colleges and training grounds. Naturally they prefer to vacation with their families.
Younger men are much more available to answer alarms and to leave home for periods of training.
Each local fire company tries to gradually “break-in” younger members by working them at fires as often as possible alongside veteran firemen. In this way, the younger man gets “frontline” experience and after some years becomes a veteran himself. Thus, and by training courses, the volunteer system perpetuates itself.
Compared to a completely paid system, the volunteer system has some limitations.
For instance, paid firemen reach the scene, ready to go, quicker than volunteers can. This is because paid men are on duty shifts in the firehouse, waiting for the alarm, whereas the volunteer answers from home or job.
The volunteer must get his car out of the garage and drive, perhaps from an outlying area, to the fire scene, obeying traffic rules all the way. He then must park and don fire equipment.
There is an old firefighting adage that “the first five minutes are worth the next five hours,” therefore reaching the scene fast is vital.
Paid firemen also have the advantage of getting special on-the-job training day after day on their work shift.
The volunteer system really came into being in the days when the volunteers lived in a neighborhood surrounding the firehouse that became their clubhouse. Now some live miles away on the other side of town.
The city faces three alternatives at present regarding fire companies:
1. Stick with the present system of using young volunteers.
2. Hire all-paid crews of firemen.
3. Exclude younger volunteers and open the door to increased fire losses due to a decline in attendance at
fire scenes.
The choice of which of the three to select rests with municipal officials, and it is not an easy choice to make. The same problem faces most small cities and villages across the U.S.
Annapolis, must make this choice with the knowledge that the city is growing and the number of fires along with it. In 1950, the city had 85 alarms. It is estimated there will be over 400 this year.
With the pressure of more fires upon us, it is evident that now is not the time to criticize and tear our fire departments apart with dissension or apprehension. Instead, our firemen need support and helpful backing from all citizens.
Chief Steele said that the Virginia Ave. warehouse fire though marred by tragedy proved once again the fine cooperation between firemen, the city engineer and city police.
City Engineer William R. Jackson was on hand reporting on available water supplies and pressure and police, under direction of Chief Anthony W. Howes, handled the heavy traffic in the area.
We are glad this coordination is an automatic thing at major fires.
Firefighting is a hazardous duty as evidenced by the fact that a relatively unnoticed house fire in Eastport Wednesday resulted in firemen having to wear breathing apparatus to search the smoke filled dwelling for an occupant who was believe to be inside, but was not. Such situations occur frequently and are always dangerous.
We know that all of us want to do the right thing in maintaining the best firefighting system to fit our community needs.
For this reason, we endorse the suggestion of Fifth District County Commissioner Edward J. Klima that a study be made to examine the feasibility of establishing an all-paid firefighting department in our county. The study should include Annapolis. While such a study is being made every citizen ought to voice a thank you to the young volunteers who in the main man our volunteer departments in Annapolis. These are brave public spirited lads who render outstanding service without charge. They certainly deserve our gratitude. Fire losses in Annapolis have not been great and this is because of the efficiency of our volunteers and the older men who guide their efforts.
THE EVENING STAR Article
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 9, 1964
Maryland Official Questions Use of Teen-Age Firemen
ANNAPOLIS, Sept. 9(AP) – A state fire official yesterday questions the use of teen-agers as front-line firemen following the death of a 16-yearold firefighters in an Annapolis warehouse blaze.
“A boy of 16 has not had too much opportunity to become skilled and proficient-he’s still learning,” said Robert C. Byrus, director of the University of Maryland Fire Extension Service.
Mr. Byrus was asked to comment on the death of John Schwallenberg, who would have been 17 years old yesterday. Young Schwallenberg, a member of Rescue Hose Company in Annapolis, was pronounced dead at Anne Arundel General hospital of smoke inhalation.
Back me Up Men Urged
Mr. Byrus suggested that youths who join volunteer companies might, during their training, be required to serve as “back up men, leaving experienced men doing tasks where proficiency is required in determining degrees of hazard.”
However, he said, teen-agers have enthusiasm and zeal and sometimes it is hard to hold them back.
Charles F. Steele, chief of the Annapolis Fire Department, said each of the five volunteer companies in the city is incorporated as a separate unite and each has its own policies for selection of members.
While he handles the over-all direction of a fire, he said the captains and lieutenants in the companies determine deployment of firemen.
New Steps Stressed
Chief Steele said steps would be taken to avert a recurrence. He would not speculate what they might be, saying this would depend on the circumstances of the Schwallenberg youth’s death Monday night.
Eleven other firemen, six of them 17 years old, were injured while battling the three alarm blaze in a two-story brick building. It housed the Earle Moving and Storage Co. and Economy Plumbing and Supply Co.
Cause of the blaze was not determined.
Chief Steele said he understood young Schwallenberg had been a member of the Rescue Hose Company since last February and had had previous fire-fighting experience with the company at Cape St. Claire, north of Annapolis.
The youth’s death prompted the Anne Arundel County Commissioners to adopt a resolution calling for a study of the feasibility of creating a paid, professional
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