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Description
In this oral history, retired Mill Valley firefighters Jeff Davidson and Mike St. John discuss their careers in the fire service. A fifth-generation Mill Valley resident, John joined the Mill Valley Fire Department in 1979 and became fire chief in 2011 three years before his retirement in 2014. Mike started his career in 1985 with the Marin County Fire Department. He went on to join the Mill Valley Fire Department in 1987, becoming captain in 1997, battalion chief in 2011, and finally retiring just a few months before this oral history was conducted. Jeff and Mike discuss the history of fire service organizations in Mill Valley and Marin County and how both the theory and practice of firefighting has evolved at the local and state levels over the course of their careers. Jeff and Mike share stories of danger and trauma from their firefighting careers but also stories of camaraderie and connection with the community. Finally, Jeff and Mike discuss the history of collaboration between the fire department and the community and indicate what community members can do to keep Mill Valley from being ravaged by fire.
Identifier
98073DF4-F6B0-4388-BF6D-212339612914 2019.035.001
Subject
Blount, Yvette Camp Fire Davidson, Bob Davidson, Jeff Fire Fire departments Fire departments - Marin County Fire fighting Fire prevention Fire stations Firefighters Firemen Fires Forester, Tom George, Leona Inverness Volunteer Fire Department Keane, John Kentfield Fire Protection District Marin County Marin County Fire Department Massucco, Ken Mill Valley Fire Department Murders MV history - Digital era (1990s) MV history - Growth (1980s) Oakland Hills Fire Oral history - Local government, police, firefighters Sonoma Fire St. John, Michael Vision Fire
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