Fire Department New York
Member Engine Company No. 39 “Good Intent” housed on Doyer street
Organized April 6, 1812
Disbanded March 1, 1843

From: Reminiscences of the Old Fire Laddies, 1885

In looking over some old documents recently, I discovered a letter published in a San Francisco paper some years ago, and which referred to one of the most popular firemen in this city at the time of his departure for the golden hills of the Pacific. It reads as follows :

"To David Scannell, Chief Engineer San Francisco Fire Department :
The undersigned members of the San Francisco Board of Fire Underwriters take this method of tendering to you their regard for the faithful and efficient manner in which you have discharged the duties of chief engineer of the Fire Department. In bearing this testimony to your character and conduct, they believe they express the opinion of the entire public. Without intending to be invidious, they take pleasure in saying that at no time since the organization of the department, of which you are the head, has it been more efficient." I can recollect Dave Scannell many years before he left for the " golden " country. He was then cotemporaneous with a host of good fellows, many of whom have since died, and many more who have made their mark in the world. I presume that the San Francisco engineer has not forgotten, old 39 and the crowd who followed her. Nor do I believe he has forgotten the pleasant evenings spent at the " Cafe de Comet." Even the writer cannot recollect who was the proprietor at that time, but will chance it that it was a joint stock hotel ; perhaps Manny Kelley, if alive, could inform me. No. 39, with Jo. Jackson for foreman, was an institution not to be forgotten ; and the sports of those years must come as fresh to the chief as to the writer. Some of the celebrated members of the "Good Intent Volunteers" and "Skivers Association" are still about, but the great journey on the railroad," "Orange County," "Long Dan Walmsley," and " Johnny Lord," always said that the promotion of early rising was the only reason. Andy Nesbit, Bill Ford, Charley Bartley, and Pat Closey were then a prime lot of young men, and believed in 39 as firmly as in their faith. Fat Jack Baulch, subsequently chief engineer of the Virginia Fire Department, learned his trade with 39, and was a journeyman fireman until he went into the fire business on his own account. It used to be said that the only time " Dave" would get really mad was when the "June Bugs " were mentioned in his presence. The term " June Bug " was applied to certain firemen and fire companies who were made such, contrary to the wishes of the Department. They were forced on the Department to defeat C. V. Anderson, then chief engineer. At that time, the foremen and assistants elected the chief, and the Common Council made some fifteen fire companies in one night, that their officers could control the election. The firemen, however, refused to allow the "June Bugs" to associate with them, and as they had failed to accomplish what they were created for, the Common Council soon disbanded them. A great friend of Dave's, an interesting character in his way, was old David Fenton. He was a bell-ringer on Centre Market from the time it was built until the bell was removed to the Marion tower, and on that station until he was removed by Fernando Wood, to make room for some political heeler. " Pop " Fenton was over eighty years old at the time of his removal, and up to the last time he struck the Marion bell he was just as full of fight as when he was on board a British man-o'-war in 1812. The old man used to dwell on this particular part of his history with much indignation. He was impressed from on board an American merchant vessel, and compelled to serve the enemies of his country. It was a sore point to jest upon ; yet to get him earnest in the subject, one had but to express a doubt as to the fact of his being an unwilling sailor in that service. There is scarcely a fireman living to-day who served his time in the Fire Department, and who ran in the old Second and Third districts, but who recollects the old bell-ringer. Often have I hailed the bell with Jo. Jackson's silver trumpet will, no doubt, come home to Chief Scannell. The trumpet was a splendid one, but the rumor — false, of course — that Jo. had to pay the bill himself took away the honor. I do not know whether the "Pacific Chief" was one of the crowd, or not ; but there was a party " who wore a velvet jacket, and ran with Thirty-nine," who were in the habit of putting their coats up for three dollars in the loan office of the foreman of the company, and then refusing to turn out to fires until the garments were given back on long credit. They were a gay crowd, and could find sport, if there was any in the city. Dave Scannell has been one of the successful ones of his party. He is still chief of the Fire Department of San Francisco, and has gained a reputation which has extended across the continent. That he may be as prosperous during his future career as in the past is the wish of his many friends in this city. That " Dave's" popularity is not in the wane was proven on his recent visit East in the fall of 1884. While in this city a banquet was given him at the Sinclair House, over which the venerable ex- Chief John Decker presided. During the feast of reason and flow of soul, the two chiefs recounted the reminiscences of their boyhood days, when both carried torches for their respective companies when running to fires, over fifty years ago. It was amusing to notice the younger members of the company listening to the old " vamps " telling their interesting narratives. Martin Keese thought he had experienced all the hardships of a fire laddie until "Dave" and Chief Decker had told some of their thrilling tales. Mr. Michael Crane, another guest, soon recognized that he had never done real fire duty, though there are many who will vouch for " Mike " as being one of the best firemen in the Old Department. As to the rest of the company, many of them moved restlessly in their seats and secretly wished they had not accepted the invitation to be present at the banquet. The next day Chief Scannell, under the escort of his old friend Judge Gorman, ex-fire commissioner, visited the head-quarters of the Volunteer Firemen's Association in Eighth Street, and on the same evening he was present at the regular meeting of the organization, on which occasion he was unanimously elected an honorary member of the Association. In order to commemorate the occasion in a suitable manner, a special gold badge was ordered to be struck, and presented to Chief Scannell as a token of esteem and friendship from his old associates. Mr. Scannell is the only honorary member ever elected by the Association.

David Scannell

A bust of David Scannell is dissplayed here. He served as Chief Engineer of the Volunteer Fire Department and later served as Chief of the Paid Fire Department.

On March 30, 1893, Chief Engineer David S. Scannell died while in service. He was a firefighter for 43 years, Chief for almost 25 years. His will provided $2,000 to establish a fund to purchase the meritorious service medal which bears his name.

The David S. Scannell Medal is awarded to San Francisco firefighters who have performed meritoriously at personal risk of their own life. The first Scannell Medal was awarded to Battalion Chief John Wills on August 20, 1896, for rescuing a woman from a burning building at 52 Fifth Street.