The Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting, which is celebrating 60 years of sharing the history of firefighting with the Valley community, is gearing up for the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade on Saturday, Dec. 18.
This innovative museum draws visitors from around the world and hundreds of schoolchildren every year to its home at 6101 E. Van Buren St. Founded by George F. Getz, Jr. in 1961, the museum features fire alarm systems, extinguishers, vehicles, helmets and more than 400 firemarks from this country, as well as Great Britain and continental Europe.
Getz had seen a vintage fire truck – a 1924 American La France Type 12 pumper – alongside the road while driving through Illinois with his family one year. His wife, Olive, and son, Bert, arranged to buy it for him. That led to a lifelong fascination for Getz with the history and technology of firefighting,