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- January 2024 issue Yokohama firefighting history and music band-Towards a breakthrough and a bright future
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January 2024 issue Yokohama firefighting history and music band-Towards a breakthrough and a bright future
Yokohama has the sea, port, greenery, history, region, people, and various attractions. We will deliver the color of this town as "Yokohama Aya Discovery". This time, we will talk about the history of Yokohama Fire Department and the music band.
Last Updated February 1, 2024
As for publication contents of "public information Yokohama" January, 2024 issue "Yokohama Aya discovery", please see link.
History and Music Bands of Yokohama Fire Department -Towards a Bright Future ―
Lottery History of Yokohama Fire Department History and Activities of Yokohama City Fire Music Band Reader's present
History of Yokohama Fire Department
Yuji Shirota, Chief of Planning Division, Fire Bureau
Fire Service Organization
The history of the Yokohama firefighting organization dates back to 1859 (Ansei 6). This year, at the same time as the opening of Yokohama Port, eight "firefighting groups" were set up, and each group's Matoi, members, and president of each group were determined. This organization was a private organization, but the command was carried out by a representative.
Then, in 1882 (Meiji 15), Kanagawa Prefecture enacted fire regulations, and firefighting affairs were supervised by Yokohama police department. A firefighter was set up in police department, and the fire chief was also a police chief. At that time, Yokohama had a population of about 94,000 and the number of units was about 26,000.
Then, in 1948, with the enforcement of the Fire Service Organization Law, the Yokohama City Fire Department was separated from Kanagawa Prefecture (Ministry of Defense) and launched the "Yokohama City Fire" as a local government fire department. At that time, there were 854 employees, 82 fire trucks, 2 ambulances, 4 fire boats, and 13 fire brigade teams (7,801). There were eight fire departments: Tsurumi, Kanagawa, West, Naka, South, Hodogaya, Isoko, Tozuka, and there were only 20 branch offices. The image shows the appearance of the Yokohama Fire Department.
Opening ceremony
Let's take a look at the old and present of Yokohama firefighting from the aspect of the first ceremony. The following image is a photo of the first appearance ceremony as a local government fire department, which was implemented in January 1949 (Showa 24). It was held in Sumiyoshicho, Naka Ward.
Then, the next image shows the simultaneous water discharge at the "Yokohama Fire Department First Ceremony 2023" conducted in January 2023. The current Yokohama Fire Department First Ceremony is a large-scale event that about 75,000 people visit. "Yokohama Fire Department First Type 2024" will be held on Sunday, January 7, 2024 (6). We are planning events that will make you more enjoyable and satisfy more than ever before. Please come to the venue, Aka Renga Soko. Information is also sent from Yokohama firefighting first ceremony 2024 official account (outside site) of SNS X (former Twitter).
Fire-fighting vehicles
Currently, City of Yokohama, Fire Bureau has about 600 fire trucks, ambulances, helicopters and fire boats in the city. Looking back on the history of fire trucks, it was the first time in 1914 (Daisho 3), a foreign resident fire department imported gasoline pump car made in the United Kingdom and placed it in the Satsuma Town Fire Group (now Naka Ward). There are various theories, but this is said to be Japan's first fire truck.
The image is the fire engine (gasoline pump car) "Mary Weather". This photo is also depicted in the garage of the Yamashitacho Fire Branch Office in Naka fire department, so please take a look when you pass nearby.
Yokohama is also the birthplace of emergency services. In 1933 (Showa 8), Japan's first ambulance was placed at the Yamashita Fire Station, and emergency work began that year. The image was the first ambulance, which was a modified cadelc.
Fire Bureau Government Building
Next, from the aspect of the Fire Bureau Government Building, let's look at the past and present of the Yokohama Fire Department.
The following image is the Fire Bureau Government Building completed in June 1949. It is said to be the first firefighting headquarters independent government building in Japan.
And the next image is City of Yokohama, Fire Bureau new headquarters building which started operation in October 2023. The relocation of the Command Center was completed in November, and as the center of the current City of Yokohama, Fire Bureau, firefighters are working daily to ensure that Yokohama citizens can feel safe and secure.
We hope that you will continue to change and evolving City of Yokohama, Fire Bureau.
[Inquiry] Fire Bureau Planning Division TEL 334-6401 FAX 334-6517
History and Activities of Yokohama City Fire Music Band
Yokohama Disaster Risk Reduction Learning Center (in charge of firefighting band) Yoshinori Nagamine
Founded
In November 1958, Mayor Hiranuma and musicians at the time of its founding
The Yokohama City Fire Music Band was established in 1958 (Showa 33) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the opening of Yokohama Port and the 70th anniversary of municipal administration.
On June 17, 1958 (Showa 33), we examined the aptitude and health status of firefighters recommended by each fire department in the city and selected 32 music members. However, there were no experience in brass band, and most of them were the first time that they had a musical instrument, with a few piano and guitar players.
Members were assigned from each fire department, and the duty day was the practice day, and practice began at the Mitsuzawa Stadium stand in September of the same year. We asked the Tokyo Fire Department Music Band for guidance, and in addition to wood pipes, brass and percussion instruments, as well as parades.
On December 12 of the same year, in front of Fire Bureau officials, they performed two repertoires at the time of the former Fire Bureau Government Building, two repertoires that could be played at the time.
On New Year's Day 1959 (Showa 34), the following year, the official performance started by performing "Yokohama City Song" at the City Counsil Assembly Hall.
Launched the drill team “Port Angels 119”
Port Angels 119 was established in 1982 (Showa 57), ahead of the fire music bands nationwide in order to enhance the organization and expand the range of acting in a music band consisting of only male members at the time. Was launched as a "female drill team that can also perform" with a female member.
We perform and drill performances as appropriate using a musical instrument called a "straight trumpet" that is rare in Japan, and performs performances and drills as appropriate.
Port angels 119 at the time of its formation (1982)
[Left] At the time of formation (1982) and [right] Present parade clothes
Activities
The Yokohama City Fire Music Band conducts disaster prevention awareness activities through performances and performances in various parts of the city, as well as the Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Minato Festival “The Yokohama Parade (International Disguise Procession)” and a welcome ceremony for large passenger ships entering the port, Yokohama We perform performances and performances that have been practiced repeatedly at marathons, etc., and are also responsible for city promotion in Yokohama.
In addition, we are focusing on next-generation upbringing programs, such as conducting musical instrument instruction workshops for junior high school students in the city to nurture children's creativity and develop cultural arts.
Photography cooperation: Ryusuke Ohno
Held a concert commemorating the 65th anniversary of the founding
On Saturday, March 16th, we will hold a 65th anniversary concert with the theme of "A breakthrough-To a Bright Future-" with gratitude for the support of everyone so far. The firefighting music band's drill team "Port Angels 119", which was launched in 1982 (Showa 57), will show off its brilliant appearance, including the launch of a new parade clothing. We look forward to seeing you all the music band.
NISSO Holdings Presents Yokohama City Fire Music Band 65th Anniversary Concert
- Date and time Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 13:30 to 15:40 (planned)
- Venue Kenmin Hall
- Application deadline Must arrive by Friday, January 19, 2024
- Capacity: 2,400 ※In the case of a large number of applicants, lottery
About the details of activity, application of concert, please see news from Yokohama-shi firefighting music band.
[Inquiry] Yokohama Disaster Risk Reduction Learning Center TEL 312-0119 FAX 312-0386
[Reception closed] Reader's present
The application has been closed and prizes have been sent to the winners on Thursday, February 1st. Thank you very much for your participation.
Thank you for always seeing "Public information Yokohama" and "Yokohama Aya Discovery". We present "Yokohama Fire 2024 Calendar" and a set of can batch to 5 people by lottery from those who had you send impressions. If you wish, please refer to the following 6 items. ※Please apply by postcard (to the Public Relations Section of Policy Bureau, Yokohama City Hall, 6-50-10 Honcho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, 231-0005, Japan) or email (ss-saihakken@city.yokohama.jp). The deadline must arrive by Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
※ 1.Postal code, 2. Address, 3. Name, 4. Impressions, 5.
Winners' announcements will be returned upon shipment of the prize. In addition, the personal information provided will not be used for any purpose other than sending out prizes.
Reader's present Contact: Yokohama City Hall Policy Bureau Public Relations Section TEL045-671-2331 FAX: 045‐661-2351
For inquiries to this page
Fire Bureau Planning Division, General Affairs Department
Phone: 045-334-6401
Phone: 045-334-6401
Fax: 045-334-6517
Email address: sy-kikaku@city.yokohama.jp
Page ID: 859-192-692
