Civil Defense Fire Extinguishers

Period photographs show members of the Citizens Defense Corps using fire extinguishers. From the experience of the British Civil Defence services, a stirrup pump was used to attack incendiary bombs dropped by the Luftwaffe. The staged photograph below shows an air raid warden with a four-gallon hand-pumped stirrup pump.

The British had a team of three people to each pump - one to keep filling it, one to pump and one to manage the hose. The US team consisted of:

  • Member No. 1: Direct and handle nozzle

  • Member No. 2: Operate portable pump

  • Member No. 3: Refill pump tank extinguisher

  • Member No. 4: Assist and act as runner

Various companies made these four-gallon extinguishers: Siegler and Doehler Metal Furniture Company are two.

There were numerous smaller extinguishers available.

A man dressed as an air raid warden wearing a helmet and long coat, holding a spray nozzle connected to a water pump, standing in front of a large map on the wall.

Four-Gallon Siegler Hand-Pumped Fire Extinguisher

An antique hand pump water container with a wooden handle, and a rubber hose hanging from the side, placed on a wooden floor against a white background.
Vintage metal fire extinguisher with a wooden handle on top, a black hose attached, sitting on a light wood floor against a white wall.
Vintage metal hand pump with hoses, showing front and side views, on wooden floor, white background.