Oceanside Fire Department’s 120-Year History Published

Outside the book release party at the Oceanside Art Museum

November 19, 2010 – Past Oceanside, CA Local 3736 President Mark Finstuen and Stu Sprung, a retired fire fighter from both the Oceanside and San Francisco fire departments, have both long been interested in knowing the history of the Oceanside Fire Department. Their interest sparked a desire to put the storied history in one place. The book, Oceanside Fire Department History, is published and can be purchased online.

“We wanted to get all of the information on paper before some of it was forgotten,” says Finstuen, Oceanside Fire Department’s primary historian. “There was a lot of hours scouring archives, looking for photographs and interviewing retirees, but it was all worth it.”

The book covers the full 120 years of the fire department from its humble beginnings to the polished department it is today. “There are lots of great stories in the book,” says Finstuen. “One retiree told me about how he lost both of his legs in a fire, but survived to enjoy his retirement in Mississippi.”

There are other stories about how fire fighters in the 1800s fought fires Wild West style with dungarees, cowboy boots and courage.

The book release party was held at the Oceanside Art Museum where more than 100 books were sold. All the proceeds benefit various charities.