Anime mascots and brave firefighters meet at Kanda Fire Station. It stands near Akihabara JR station. You can see it next to the Akihabara UDX building.
Kanda Fire Station might seem like any other fire station in Japan. It has neutral colors. Its design is somewhat bland. But it is a bit more modern, fitting its prime Tokyo location. Many locals might not notice it. It is just off the main shopping street. Still, it is close to the train station.
But wait. Do you see that small picture at the bottom of the department’s banner? Yes, Kanda Fire Station has its very own anime mascot. Surprising at first, but it makes sense. This is Akihabara. Japan loves mascots. An anime mascot is perfect for Kanda Fire Station in anime-mecca.
Perhaps the mascot is meant to attract more otakus to join the fire force. Who knows? The Tokyo Fire Department, or TFD, was founded in 1948. It is the biggest urban fire department in the world. It has over 18,000 staff members.
The TFD handles fires, prevents fires, and investigates them. It also deals with hazardous materials. The TFD responds to disasters. It performs rescue work and gives emergency medical help. This covers Tokyo’s 23 wards and parts of Western Tokyo. The fire chief leads the TFD. It is part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. This is different from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. That agency coordinates other fire departments in Japan. The TFD headquarters is in Otemachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo.
Japan’s first fire service started in 1629 during the Edo period. It was called hikeshi. During the Meiji Period in 1881, the hikeshi joined the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. Pumps were brought in from other countries and made in Japan. Modern ways to fight fires were used. The fire service was part of the police until 1947. Then, the Tokyo Fire Department became its own agency. That happened on March 7, 1948.
Kanda is part of the 1st Fire District. This district also includes Marunouchi, Nihonbashi, and Akasaka. Kanda Fire Station stands ready to protect this vibrant area.
The department holds demonstrations and training a few times each year. Some are small. Others are large events. These events teach the public. They show taxpayers how their money is being used. The events also show how ready the department is. These events can help recruit new firefighters. Firefighters might give rides, tours, or let you touch the equipment.
Dezomeshiki is the biggest demonstration. It is the New Year Tokyo Fire Department Review. It happens every January. The department shows all its resources and training. Firefighters perform a fake disaster using their equipment. They also display equipment and have a small museum. About 2,800 people joined Dezomeshiki in 2018.
Sometimes a fire district does preparedness training. They practice with a fake disaster in a real area. This training helps firefighters, support staff, and local volunteers. They learn about an area in case of a real disaster. Mass Casualties Tags are used in these drills. These tags provide information about people. They help sort out who can be saved. This is a form of triage.
The TFD has twelve kinds of firefighting and rescue robots. These robots handle dangerous disasters. Some shoot water or foam on fires. One kind can rescue people. Another kind can move large objects. Right now, people control all the robots remotely.
In the future, firefighting robots might have simple AI. They could search for life. They could move on any terrain without help.
The Tokyo Fire Museum is in Shinjuku. It has many old firefighting items. The museum shows firefighting history from the 17th and 18th centuries. It has large models of past destruction. The models show uniforms and equipment from that time. Other parts of the museum have old pictures and movies. They show the start of modern firefighting vehicles, equipment, and suits. The museum has some of the first pumps and hoses. It also shows 20th-century firefighting history. The museum even has exhibits about the future of firefighting. You can see high-tech robots there. A working fire station is right next to the museum.
So, next time you are near Akihabara Station, take a moment to appreciate the Kanda Fire Station. It is more than just a building. It is a symbol of safety. It is a blend of tradition and modern pop culture. And it stands ready to protect the people of Tokyo.