It’s a symbol of firefighters, superheroes and dancers.
But the pole has all but vanished from most fire stations these days.
What’s up with that?
Taking the steps is safer.
The 20-foot sliding pole at Everett Fire Department Station 1 on Rucker Avenue is the last one standing in the city’s six firehouses. It might be the only functional fire pole in Snohomish County, based on responses from inquiries sent to local fire districts.
At one time, the fire pole was a speedy way to get from the bunks to the rigs. Now the gleaming brass pole usually gets eschewed for the stairs by the firefighters at Station 1.
“Waking up at 2 in the morning and you’re kind of wandering around to get your bearings then making sure you don’t break your ankle when you come down, it’s just easier to use the stairs,” said firefighter/paramedic Jack Murrin.