Tokyo Fire Department

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We visited Japan in June 1995. This time it was Dad who served as my translator!

The Tokyo Fire Department has 79 stations and over 17,500 paid firefighters. Their rookie academy lasts from 9 to 12 months, depending on the entering firefighter's level of formal education.

The potential for a large-scale fire-related disaster in Tokyo is immense, considering the extreme population density and crowded conditions. However, fire prevention and public education seem to be highly effective and major incidents are relatively few.

Tokyo Fire Department headquarters. In addition to fire apparatus, this building houses administrative offices and the fire department museum.	Fire apparatus at Tokyo's fire department headquarters. It was a bit odd to see Daihatsus and Mitsubishis in place of the familiar Pierces and Macks! However, these fire trucks have to be able to travel down narrow streets some of which are barely wide enough to get a fat American car through!
What's that truck number on the door? :-)	Display of turnout gear in the fire department museum. In the foreground are examples of Japan's technological advances - firefighting and search and rescue robots!
*Map of Tokyo fire districts showing station locations.*	Apparatus that some of us can only dream of operating! One of Tokyo's whirlybirds on display in the fire department museum.