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Audio Recording George Larrimer interview conducted by Anthony G. Potoczniak, 2012-08-01.

George Larrimer interview conducted by Anthony G. Potoczniak,
George Larrimer interview conducted by Anthony G. Potoczniak, 2012-08-01

More Resources

[ Photograph of the wheelhouse of the M/V FARNSWORTH, which was remodeled by Assistant Chief George Larrimer, who is also pictured in the photograph, 2012-08-01 ]
[ Photograph of steering wheel of the M/V Farnsworth, an example of maritime art work created by Assistant Chief George Larrimer, who remodeled the boats wheelhouse, 2012-08-01 ]

About this Item

Title

  • George Larrimer interview conducted by Anthony G. Potoczniak, 2012-08-01.

Summary

  • George Larrimer worked the port of Houston for almost 40 years. He started his career in the U.S. Coast Guard. In the mid-1970s he joined the Marine Fire Dept (MFD). He describes the evolution of fire fighting practices at the Port of Houston, the day-to-day operations of the MFD, the first fire and accidents at the Port of Houston, his career trajectory in the MFD, as well as personal hobbies including woodworking inspired by his childhood experiences and work in the maritime industry.

Names

  • Larrimer, George, 1948- interviewee.
  • Potoczniak, Anthony, interviewer.
  • Occupational Folklife Project, sponsor.

Created / Published

  • 2012-08-01.

Headings

  • -  Larrimer, George,--1948---Interviews
  • -  Fire fighters--Texas--Houston Ship Channel--Interviews
  • -  Ships--Fires and fire prevention--Texas--Houston Ship Channel
  • -  Fireboats--Texas--Houston Ship Channel
  • -  Fire extinction--Texas--Houston Ship Channel
  • -  Fire departments--Texas--Houston Ship Channel
  • -  Fire stations--Texas--Houston Ship Channel
  • -  Woodwork
  • -  Coastal surveillance--Texas--Houston Ship Channel
  • -  Occupations--Texas
  • -  Houston Ship Channel (Tex.)
  • -  Houston (Tex.)--event place

Genre

  • Digital photographs--Color--2010-2020
  • Interviews (Sound recordings)
  • Interviews
  • Oral histories

Notes

  • -  Recorded at the Old River Station, Channelview, Texas, Houston, Texas, August 1, 2012.
  • -  Working the port of Houston: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 (AFC 2012/006: 00331) Archive of Folk Culture, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
  • -  George Larrimer; born on November 26, 1948 in Jefferson City, Missouri, is an assistant chief, marine firefighter at the Port Authority Marine Fire Department at the Port of Houston.
  • -  To honor the memory of Archie Green (1917-2009), a fellowship program was established at the American Folklife Center in 2010. Archie Green Fellowships support new research in the contemporary culture and traditions of American workers.
  • -  Interviewer's note: A recurring theme throughout the conversation with Assistant Chief George Larrimer was the systematic process of professionalizing the marine fire department [MFD]. The assistant chief recounts this transformational period during his 30+ year tenure at the Port of Houston (minutes 5 - 10), which is punctuated throughout the interview with stories about accidents and events involving the MFD. Larrimer contrasts different earlier approaches to fighting fires with the present: the prevailing philosophy in fire fighting in the 1970s was to "put the wet stuff on the red stuff," or "the solution to pollution was dilution." New firefighting techniques and practices were adopted and often guided by a sensitivity to the environment, which reflected an overall cultural shift at the Port of Houston of being a good steward of the Houston Ship Channel during this time. By offering additional training and certification to its firefighters, the MFD also increased its service capacity to fight different types of fires, such as chemical fires. Assistant Chief Larrimer also embodies the marine firefighting culture by finding creative ways to improve the work environment. For example, he and his colleagues renovated the wheel house of the oldest fireboat in the fleet (the Farnsworth), reconfiguring its instruments and controls to be more ergonomic, and also adding a personal, craftsman's touch to the project that was inspired by his passion for maritime art.
  • -  In English.

Medium

  • 1 sound file (WAV) (01:27) : digital, sound.
  • 2 photographs : digital, JPEG files, color .
  • recording log 1 item (.pdf) : text files.

Source Collection

  • Working the port of Houston: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 AFC 2012/006: 00331

Repository

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2016655458

Rights Advisory

  • Duplication of collection materials may be governed by copyright and other restrictions.

Access Advisory

Online Format

  • image
  • audio
  • pdf

Additional Metadata Formats

Rights & Access

The Library of Congress is not aware of any U.S. copyright protection (see Title 17, U.S.C.) or any other restrictions in the material in this collection, except as noted below. Users should keep in mind that the Library of Congress is providing access to these materials strictly for educational and research purposes. The written permission of the copyright owners and/or other holders of rights (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. See our Legal Notices and Privacy and Publicity Rights for additional information and restrictions.

The individuals documented by the Occupational Folklife Project retain copyright and related rights to the use of their recorded and written testimonies and memories.  They have granted the Library of Congress permission to provide access to their interviews and related materials for purposes that are consistent with the agency’s educational mission, such as publication and transmission, in whole or in part, on the Web. Project participants’ written permission is required for any commercial, profit-making distribution, reproduction, or other use beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item.

The American Folklife Center and the Occupational Folklife Project fieldworkers who carry out these projects feel a strong ethical responsibility to the people they have visited and who have consented to have their lives documented for the historical record. The Center asks that researchers approach the materials in this collection with respect for the culture and sensibilities of the people whose lives, ideas, and creativity are documented here. Researchers are also reminded that privacy and publicity rights may pertain to certain uses of this material.

Researchers or others who would like to make further use of these collection materials should contact the Folklife Reading Room for assistance. 

Credit line

Agricultural Aviation: Crop Dusters in Rural America: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/007), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Baton Rouge Small Businesses and Trades: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2014-2015 (AFC 2014/023), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Beyond the Breakwater: Gulf of Alaska Small-Boat Fishermen: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2021-2022 (AFC 2021/007), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

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Cultural Traditions of Ironworkers in America's Upper Midwest: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 (AFC 2011/062), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Custodians and Janitors in Colorado: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2021-2022 (AFC 2021/012), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Dairy Farm Workers in New York's North Country: Archie Green Fellows project, 2012-2013 (AFC 2012/033), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Doctoring: The Occupational Folklore of Physicians: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2019-2020 (AFC 2019/030), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Domestic Workers United: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2015-2016 (AFC 2015/027), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Ethnic Grocers in the Urban Midwest: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2014-2015 (AFC 2013/016), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Finding Roots: Asian American Farmers in Contemporary America: Occupational Folklife Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/014), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Fixing, Mending, Making New: North Carolina's Repair Professionals: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/009), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Fresh Produce Workers in Arizona: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2015-2016 (AFC 2015/028), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Funeral Services Workers in the Carolinas: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2016-2017 (AFC 2016/037), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Grass-Roots Agriculture in Vermont: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2014-2015 (AFC 2014/022), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

The Green Book--Documenting African American entrepreneurs: Archie Green Fellows project, 2018-2019 (AFC 2018/029), Archie Green Fellows Project American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Hairdresser and Beauty Shop Culture in America: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 (AFC 2012/035), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Homeless Shelter Workers in the Upper Midwest: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2016-2017 (AFC 2016/034), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Hope for Recovery: Peer Support Workers in Kentucky: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/010), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

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Immigrant Women Artists in Oklahoma: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/011), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Independent Professional Wrestlers in Central Appalachia: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2019-2020 (AFC 2019/029), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Kitchen Workers in Central Ohio: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2017-2018 (AFC 2017/020), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Midwives, doulas, and birth workers in North Carolina: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2019-2020 (AFC 2019/027), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Multigenerational African-Descended Farmers of the Midwest: Surviving Erasure: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2019-2021 (AFC 2019/028), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Nursing America's Veterans: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/012), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Personal Home Health Care Aides in Michigan: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2017-2018 (AFC 2017/018), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Production Potters of the Midwest: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2018-2019 (AFC 2018/030), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Psychiatric nurses in Wisconsin: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2018-2019 (AFC 2018/032), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

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The Ransomville Speedway: Dirt Track Racing in Western New York: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/013), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

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Rural Free Delivery: Mail Carriers in Central Appalachia: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2021-2022 (AFC 2021/010), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Stable Views: Voices and Stories from the Thoroughbred Racetrack: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 (AFC 2012/034), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Taking Care--Documenting the Occupational Culture of Home Care Workers: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2014-2015 (AFC 2014/021), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress)

Teaching in Wisconsin Classrooms: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2013-2015 (AFC 2013/017), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Tobacco Workers of the Connecticut River Valley: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2014-2015 (AFC 2014/020), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Training the Troops: Military Role-Players of Fort Polk, Louisiana: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2017-2018 (AFC 2017/019), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Trash Talk: Workers in Vermont's Waste Management Industry: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2018-2019 (AFC 2018/031), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Washington State Workers: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2012-2013 (AFC 2012/032), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Western Folklife Center Occupational Folklore Project: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 (AFC 2011/064), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Winery Workers in Virginia: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2017-2018 (AFC 2017/017), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Women Architects: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2019-2020 (AFC 2019/031), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Working the Port of Houston: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 (AFC 2012/006), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Working the Waterfront, New Bedford, Massachusetts: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2016-2017 (AFC 2016/036), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Larrimer, George, Interviewee, Anthony Potoczniak, and Sponsor Occupational Folklife Project. George Larrimer interview conducted by Anthony G. Potoczniak, -08-01. -08-01, 2012. Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/2016655458/.

APA citation style:

Larrimer, G., Potoczniak, A. & Occupational Folklife Project, S. (2012) George Larrimer interview conducted by Anthony G. Potoczniak, -08-01. -08-01. [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2016655458/.

MLA citation style:

Larrimer, George, Interviewee, Anthony Potoczniak, and Sponsor Occupational Folklife Project. George Larrimer interview conducted by Anthony G. Potoczniak, -08-01. -08-01, 2012. Pdf. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2016655458/>.