Thank you to Fire Journal reader Tracey Young for this photo of Springfield Fire Chief Willard G. Compton's helmet. Tracey's husband is the chief's grandson. Compton served as chief from Feb. 1, 1952 to March 4. 1963. He was appointed to the fire division on Aug. 20, 1929, according to the book From Buckets to Diesels. The home fire inspection was introduced during Compton's tenure.
