The Oakland Fire Dept. Training Division is at 250 Victory Court. Many people are familiar with the drill tower, which is visible from nearby 880 and Embarcadero.
In addition to practicing physical skills, firefighters learn a lot about how fires start and spread, and how to fight different kinds of fires.
1916 Tower
The current drill tower is not the first. The Oakland Fire Department wanted a training tower at least as far back as the early 1910s. but it wasn't until 1916 that a 65' tower was constructed behind station 4 on East 14th (now International). It provided a place for firefighters to learn how to use and practice with equipment in a controlled environment. An article includes a photo showing firefighters practicing with hook ladders (also called pompier ladders), which allowed a pair of firefighters to scale the exterior of buildings taller than existing equipment could reach. 2
The 1950 Sanborn map shows a ghost outline of what may have been the old training tower.
1916 2 
1950 Sanborn
1950s Tower
The old tower wasn't used for very long—a 1949 article notes that the previous one had been abandoned since 1921. A new drill tower was constructed not far from station 31 at the corner of the Mills College campus. (The tower had an address of 4875 MacArthur, but was at the rear of the lot, adjacent to a streetcar right of way.) 3
This tower was in use until it was demolished for the construction of the MacArthur Freeway.
1957 4
undated 5 
1950 Sanborn
Present Day
Early articles don't mention a location for the new tower, but in 1960, it was estimated that a new tower would cost $139,340; a 1961 estimate was $261,340.
In 1962, the city council authorized Alvin Fingado and George Kern, architects, to be hired to design the new tower at Victory Court. In 1963, Hart and Hynding were awarded $63,400 for site preparation and construction of a pumphouse for the new tower.
Finally, in 1964, the new drill tower was dedicated with a parade. The 67' tower includes equipment for simulating fires, and is built with reinforced concrete. There's no mention of cost of the land, but an article says it cost $160,000. Plans were made to construct an administration building and repair shops when more funds were available. 6
under construction 1
undated 1
1992
Links and References
- Towns (Royal E.) Papers African American Museum and Library at Oakland
- School Is Opened For Fire Laddies Oakland Tribune April 4, 1916
- Fireman To Get New Drill Tower Oakland Tribune September 2, 1949
- Fireman Get Set For Open House Oakland Tribune April 28, 1957
- Oakland Fire Department by Capt. Geoffrey Hunter Arcadia Publishing 2005
- Parade Will Open Fire Drill Tower Oakland Tribune July 28, 1964
