Historical Events
Knickerbocker Theater
January 28, 1922
The Knickerbocker Theatre was a movie theater located at 18th Street and Columbia Road in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The theater's roof collapsed on January 28, 1922 under the weight of snow from a two-day blizzard that was later dubbed the "Knickerbocker Storm." As a result of the collapse, 98 people died and 133 were injured. It was a historically significant rescue and recovery event for the D.C. Fire Department.
White House Fire
December 24, 1929
On Christmas Eve in 1929, a fire broke out in the West Wing of the White House, causing significant damage to the building. The blaze started in the attic, likely due to faulty wiring in the Christmas lights, and quickly spread through the wooden structure. Despite the quick response from firefighters, the fire destroyed much of the West Wing, including the Oval Office. President Herbert Hoover and his family were present during the incident but were unharmed. The fire led to extensive renovations, modernizing the White House with updated fireproofing and other safety measures.
The following are the photos and newspaper articles about this historic fire in the collection of the Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum There is also a thank you letter from President Hoover dated December 30, 1929.
Black Thursday
January 15, 1953
January 15, 1953 is known in DC Fire Department history as "Black Thursday." On that morning, the Pennsylvania Railroad Federal Express failed to break as it arrived at Union Station, jumping the platform and plunging through the floor of the concourse, injuring 43 people. Later in the day at around noon, there was a fire at the Standard Tire and Battery Store at 10th and H Streets, NE, followed by an explosion that injured more than 40 firefighters. Miraculously, no one died that day.
1968 Riots
April 4-8, 1968
Following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, Washington, D.C., experienced a four-day period of civil unrest and rioting. The DC Fire Department implemented “Plan F,” fully mobilizing all personnel and apparatus. By Sunday, April 7, 13 people had been killed by fires, police officers, or rioters. An additional 1,097 people were injured, over 7,600 people were arrested, and 900 businesses were damaged. DC’s Bravest battled hundreds of fires with strained resources and ingenuity, cementing their reputation as one of the best fire departments in the world.
Riots, April 4-6, 1968
All photos are courtesy of the Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum, April 1968.
This is the logbook of Engine 11 during the 1968 riots. At 11 pm on April 4, 1968, it documents the vocal message sent to all members: “Units responding to the area of 14th and U Street, NW use extreme caution due to civil disturbance.”
“11:30 … In the event units running into any difficulty, remember what you have been taught, do your job. Do not become involved. Company Commanders look out for men, and protect them at all times.”
Air Florida Crash
January 13, 1982
On January 13, 1982, Florida Flight 90 was scheduled to fly from Washington, DC to Fort Lauderdale, FL during a snow and ice storm. Unfortunately, the flight ended in tragedy when the plane plunged into the icy Potomac River after crashing into the 14th Street Bridge and seven vehicles. One crew member and four passengers were rescued, while 70 passengers and 4 crew members perished. On the same day, a DC Metro train derailed in downtown DC, stranding passengers for hours, injuring 25, and killing three. Members of the DC Fire Department responded to both incidents.
Air Florida Crash 1982
The moment Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac River in Washington D.C. in 1982
The moment Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac River in Washington D.C. in 1982
DC FIRE AIR FLORIDA CRASH 1/13/82 RADIO TRANSMISSIONS PART 1
All photos are courtesy of Elliot Goodman, January 1982.
Attack on the Pentagon
September 11, 2001
On September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37 am, approximately one hour after two other planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City. Units from the DC Fire and EMS Department immediately rode to the bridges that cross the Potomac River and waited for the Arlington Fire Department to request mutual aid from Washington, DC. DC’s Bravest assisted with battling the blaze for three days until it was extinguished.
Source: Elliot Goodman, Date: September 11, 2001
DC Fire Chief John Donnelly, September 11, 2001, Source: DC Fire and EMS Department
Vito Maggiolo footage, September 11, 2001
DC's Bravest's recollections of September 11, 2001. Source: DC Fire and EMS Department.
Date: 2021
2009 Metro Crash
June 22, 2009
At 4:58 p.m. on June 22, 2009, southbound Red Line Washington Metro train 112 collided into train 214 near the Ft. Totten Metro station in Northeast, Washington, D.C. A faulty circuit caused the automatic train control system to fail, and the moving train hit the stopped train at almost full speed. The rear car of train 214 telescoped into the lead car of train 112. The train operator of the moving train and eight passengers died, and 52 people were transported to the hospital, making it the deadliest crash in Metro history. Vito Maggiolo produced and shot a short documentary on the DC Fire & EMS Department’s response on that day.
Mayor Adrian Fenty and DC Fire Chief Dennis Rubin brief the media at the scene of the crash.
Source: Retired Fire Chief Dennis Rubin
Source: Vito Maggiolo, Date: 2009
Attack on the U.S. Capitol
January 6, 2021
On January 6, 2021, the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. was attacked by a mob of supporters of then-U.S. President Donald Trump, two months after his defeat in the 2020 presidential election. They sought to keep Trump in power by occupying the Capitol and preventing a joint session of Congress from counting the Electoral College votes to formalize the victory of President-Elect Joe Biden. Over 200 members of DC’s Bravest responded to the Capitol that day, putting their lives in danger to treat injured police officers and rioters. This Department documentary tells their story.
Jan 6, 2021
*TRAILER* | Jan. 6, 2021 - Events at the U.S. Capitol, as told by DC FEMS
*TRAILER* | Jan. 6, 2021 - Events at the U.S. Capitol, as told by DC FEMS
