Mike Moyle

At last night’s “Fire” program at the Sausalito Library, Bob Souza explained about the fire alarm boxes that were situated around town, each with a unique number assigned to the neighborhood where the box was located. When an alarm was pulled, a signal was transmitted to the fire station, and a horn, which could be heard all over town, was then blown signaling the number of the box. Lists of the codes were provided to all residents so everyone could know the general location of the alarm.

Sausalito Historical Society President Jerry Taylor accepts Box #314 from retired Fireman Bob Sousa

Photo Mike Moyle

The town’s firefighters (back in the day largely volunteers) could then respond, with those closest to the fire heading directly to the site, while others farther away would go to the station.

Bob had kept one of those Sausalito boxes - #314 - and last night donated it to the Sausalito Historical Society.