Early Requests for Equipment Loveland Fire Department 1906

If one is familiar with the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority as it exists today, it would be hard to imagine what it was like in the early days. In 1906, the city was rapidly outgrowing the ability of the fire department to continue to provide adequate fire protection. At this time fire protection was still provided by the Hose Company No.1 and the Loveland Hook and ladder, using had drawn carts and minimal equipment. Something had to be done to equip the department to continue. Written below is a News article from April 12, 1906 in the Loveland Register.

Hose Cart

Example of the Ladder Cart

FIRE DEPARTMENT ASKS COUNCIL FOR BETTER EQUIPMENT TO FIGHT CITY’S FIRES From Loveland Register Volume 12, Number 15, April 12, 1906

Firemen declare that the present Apparatus is insufficient and ask for a caretaker to protect property from theives.

To the Honorable City Council, City of Loveland, Colorado. The Loveland Fire Department desires to place the following facts before you: The firefighting apparatus of the city of Loveland consists of one hose cart, 1000 feet of hose, one hand truck, ladders, fire extinguishers, rubber coats, hats, lanterns, axes, rubber boots and smoke protectors. These articles are not properly cared for by a very long ways. At present they are kept in an open shed, where anyone so disposed can appropriate, or are scattered among individual members of the Fire department and among City Employees. We know the council has already taken steps to furnish a better temporary structure than the present place. The Fire department appreciates this movement, as only those who have longed for the need can. But it becomes apparent to the members from repeated efforts to care for the apparatus that our system of taking care is wrong. It begins in error. The Chief of the Department is required to give bonds for the care of the apparatus, the property of the city. he cannot afford to take the time necessary to see to this personally, nor can the volunteer members of his company take the time from their own or their employers business to perform these duties. We therefore, the Loveland Fire Department, petition the Honorable City Council to provide a care-taker for the firefighting appaeratus of the City of Loveland. We desire also to present the following reasons for your consideration.

Every member feels deep concern and apprehension when he considers a serious fire in our city. The present apparatus is not adequate at it’s best for a serious fire. The Fire department does not feel justified in asking for the needed apparatus without a better place to keep it and better care of the same. Hose, rubber Coats, Rubber Boots and oil Skins are all short lived under the best of care. They must be cleaned and kept available at any moment. We believe therefore a central place is best for all of this property, and we believe a care-taker should be provided to adjust, clean and repair the same immediately. The growth of our city demands this. In the case of the Box Car fire in January, all of the hose that the cart could carry-a full reel- was stretched out and found to be several rods short. Much valuable time was lost in getting more. We quote this as a forcible example of our need of better care-taking of as well as more apparatus. The city’s growth demands, or soon will, another Hose Cart, more hose, a truck that will convey the members as well as the apparatus, to these new additions. Men cannot run these long distances dragging heavy loads with speed and be ready for efficient service. More hydrants or more hose must be furnished to secure two steams in the residential part of the city. We would also recomend that you at your earliest possible convenience establish a system of Fire Alarms.

Representatives of the Underwriters declare our apparatus inefficient, and our insurance rates must remain high or go higher. The Firemen are volunteers, strictly, as they meet once a month besides attending every fire day or night. They face danger whenever they do this. All this they do willingly and cheerfully and will continue, but they would feel much more confidence in the success of their efforts with the suggested improvements. They would hope for the thanks of the householder rather than his curses for any loss, which they now half expect. A loss of confidence in our means of firefighting will hurt us in many ways. It will lose us good members, also a general lack of interest and spirit. We therefore ask that our petition for a caretaker is a long step in advance.

The L.F.D Joint Committee

M.E. Knapp, Frank Puntenny, E.M. Brown, Ed Chasteen, Wm. Coffman, M. McPhee

Loveland Fire Department 1960 – 1970 The beginning of a new era

The beginning of 1960 saw the last of Loveland’s sleepy small town past slip away and the beginning of a growth pattern that continues to this day. The same can be said for the Fire Department. In 1960 the population of the city was 9734, and by 1970 it would see a increase in population of 5.24% reaching 16,220. Like the city itself, the fire department was growing and expanding.

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Old Station 1 Located on 5th street between Lincoln and Cleveland

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New Station 1 located at 410 W. 10th

In 1965 the city broke ground on a much needed replacement of a new fire station. The Fire Station on 5th street between Cleveland and Lincoln streets was in sad shape and filled to overcapacity with equipment. The new station located a couple blocks to the East at 410 E 5th St. was completed in January of 1966. This was a huge improvement for them with larger apparatus parking, better meeting and office spaces along with greatly improved living quarters for the paid staff.

Along with improved facilities, the departments apparatus fleet was improved in order to replace older equipment and improve operational capabilities.

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1956 Dodge Squad. Purchased from Greely Fire in 1965

In 1965 the department purchased from Greeley Fire Department a 1956 Dodge Squad Truck. This replaced the 1939 Ford Rescue (the Ford would be used as the new Dive Rescue Unit). This gave them the ability to transport additional equipment and ground ladders to the scene.

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1968 and 1969 Mack Pumpers

In 1968 and again in 1969 the department purchased a new Mack Pumper. These units marked the beginning of the standard for coming years. These Engines used Turbo charged Diesel motors, the first of this type used by the department. They also had 1000 gpm or better pump capacity and 1000 gallon water tanks. They would be a huge improvement in firefighting capability for the department and the city.

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1968 Water Tender from Super Vac

Also in 1968 the department purchased from the Super Vac Company located here in Loveland, a 1500 gallon Tanker. This improved water delivery in area’s not served by hydrants or other static water source.

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Early Dive Team training. Al Stevens is scene on far right

During the decade the Department began equipping and training its own Dive Rescue Team. This group was the brainchild of Al Stevens, who would go on to become Loveland’s first Fire Marshall in 1974. Initial funding for the team was through donations, fund raisers, and even diving for golf balls in the water hazards at the Old Golf course on 29th St. In 1969 they produced and distributed a safety film called “Water Trap”. This addressed the dangers of the many irrigations ditches in the area.

The decade saw larger incidents that would become more frequent and fire loss growing due to them.

June 21, 1962 the Vought Trailer Plant (Also known as the ABC Factory) 8th and Van Buren. The fire occurred at a time when the department was short of personnel due to the fact many of the firefighters were out of town attending the State Fire Convention and Fire School. Mutual Aid was brought in from Berthoud, Fort Collins and Greeley. Fire Loss at over 1 Million Dollars.

October 24, 1963. Kuner-Empson Warehouse Fire. 1st and Railroad Ave. At midnight a fire was reported at the warehouse housing appliances for a local store and a transportation company’s equipment and records. Fire loss at over 1 Million Dollars.

June 14, 1965, Tornado at Highway 34 and Glade rd. The tornado was estimated to be 100 yards wide with winds of 150 mph causing 16 injuries but no fatalities. This would be the first of the natural disasters to hit this area over the next few decades.

The 1960’s proved to be a evolving period for the department. It would be the beginning of a new era with rapid growth of the cities population and size, along with a increased call load. They met the challenge in their traditional way of being progressive, creative, dedicated to the citizens of the City of Loveland.

Loveland Fire Department 1950 through 1960

The decade of 1950 through 1960 was really the last decade of Loveland being a small farming community with limited growth. In 1950 the population of the city was 6773 with it reaching 9734 by 1960, a total increase of 3.69%. The economic drivers were still the Great Western Sugar plant and other related farm based industries. The city was beginning to feel some growing pains and was beginning to look to a brighter future after recovering from the war years of the previous decade. In 1951 a new Hospital opened on west 5th. There was also at this time a total of 11 car dealerships located within the city. In 1956 the Loveland Mason Lodge laid the cornerstone for the new Loveland Museum at its present location today. Which was right across the street from Loveland’s aging fire station. The city was experiencing residential growth putting greater strain on the departments resources.

At the start of the decade, Loveland Fire Department apparatus fleet was showing its age. The 1925 American LaFrance was still in service along with 1939 Holibird USA in the city. The 1935 Diamond T was still in service for the Rural calls. The still operated the 1939 Ford Rescue/Ambulance along with a small boat for water recoveries.

The department knew it needed to upgrade its equipment to meet the growing demands of the community. In 1950 The Rural district purchased a Ford American LaFrance Engine to replace the aging Diamond T. This Engine came with a 500 gpm centrifugal pump and a 400 gallon water tank. In 1955 the city purchased a American LaFrance Engine to replace the 1925 LaFrance. This unit came with a 750 gpm centrifugal pump, 400 gallon water tank equipped originally with a V-12 gas motor. These units greatly increased the capability of the department.

1959 Ford LaFrance Rural Pumper

1955 LaFrance City Pumper

Also during this period, while the city was growing in size it was also growing in height. The need for greater Aerial capability was starting to become more apparent. The department addressed this in its usual can do style. The couldn’t just go out and purchase a new aerial apparatus with the limited budget they had to work with. They took a 1933 International Metro delivery truck, removed the body, lengthened the frame to build on. They mounted a hydraulic hoist out of a service station and on that attached a 50 foot ladder. It wasn’t pretty by any means, and would give any of todays fire safety folks a heart attack, but it worked. It would remain in service until the mid 70’s.

Ladder Truck built by department

Fire Chiefs during this period wer the following:

Lou Gibbs 1950-1952

Bill Simpson 1953-1954

Chuck Chiappini 1955

Darrel Chambers 1956-1957

John John Askey 1958-1959

The department remained primarily volunteer with only the duty Engineers who drove and maintained the equipment being paid. The call load was increasing and with the addition of the new apparatus the old station was filled to capacity and showing its age.

Loveland Fire Department 1940-1950

The city of Loveland began the turbulent decade of 1940 through 1950 much as it had been since it began.  The city population in 1940 was 6145 only increasing to 6773 by 1950.  The city remained based as primarily an agricultural community which supported a canning industry and the Great Western Sugar factory.  Primary crops in the area included the farming of Sugar Beets, Wheat, Corn and Cherries.  The city had managed to weather the Great Depression and the effects of the Dust Bowel and was looking forward to greater prosperity in the following years.

With the growing worldwide war looming on the horizon many of the members of the fire department were leaving active status for the National Guard.  Around this time the department began to no longer take applications for the 5 year memberships.  During the war, many members left to enlist in the military, which reduced the number of members available to respond to emergencies within the city and rural areas.  Because of this, those who remained behind felt they had a duty to provide protection to the city.  They demonstrated this by taking turns spending the night at the station on a volunteer basis in order that the city would have adequate fire protection.  In this manner they maintained the response levels and improved the turnout time for emergencies.

Fire apparatus during this time period consisted of four pieces.  They began the 1940’s with the 1925 American LaFrance pumper as the front line city engine with the 1935 Diamond T pumper as the front line rural engine.  The department was still running the 1939 Ford panel truck as a Rescue/Ambulance.  After the war the city purchased a 1939 Holibird USA pumper from the military to uses as a backup pumper.  By this time the 25 LaFrance was beginning to show wear and tear.

 

 

1925 American LaFrance

 

1935 Diamond T

 

1939 Holibird USA

 

1939 Ford Panel  Rescue/Ambulance

 

On June 12, 1946, the Fire Chief appointed three volunteer lieutenants.  It is believed this was the result of possible federal regulations related to the war effort and of the military being able to commandeer fire apparatus.  The fire department was still mainly made up of volunteers with exception of the few paid engineers.  These men were from all walks of life and dedicated themselves to serving their community, even at times at the expense of their own businesses.  Active membership remained at 50 members allowed during this period.

Fire Chiefs during this period were as follows:

Chief Don Ramsey  1941-1945  Occupation-Farmer

Chief Charles Chiappini 1946-1947  Occupation- Assistant Manager of Lumber yard

Chief Lou Gibbs 1948-1950  Occupation-Post Office employee

 

This is a heads up for followers of this site!  We will begin working on developing a Virtual Museum of Loveland Fire Museum Inc.  We look forward to providing a more detailed and interactive site for you.  As always if you come across any pictures, artifacts  or articles concerning the Loveland Fire department that you would be willing to share, PLEASE contact me so we can capture our history as it so richly deserves.

Lynn Stauffer

LynnStauffer1960@gmail.com

 

The Bartholf Hose Company No. 1

 

In 1883 Frank Bartholf organized, supported and financed the first “team” known as the Bartholf Hose Company No. 1.  Oscar Riker was elected the first foreman of the newly formed company.  Members of the Hose Company considered themselves “the elite of Loveland” most having personal wealth or being prominent merchants of the town.  Along with providing the city with organized fire protection they were actively involved with Hose Racing which was popular at the time.

Bartholf Hose Company No 1

 

 

In 1890 the city build a brick Hose House to house the Hose cart, which had a bell tower for notifying the members and the city of emergencies.  This building was located on the west side of Cleveland Ave between 4th and 5th streets.  The hand pulled hose cart and their equipment were stored there.

Membership of the Bartholf Hose Company No. 1  Formed in 1883

 

Oscar Riker (Chief 1883)                                                   Dr. G.F. Hicks

Herman G. Schallenger ( Chief 1893-1895)                    John Cook

Carl Naylor                                                                           Dr. John McFadden

Joe Mills                                                                                 George Riker

Andrew Rose                                                                         Joe Riker

Reece Richart                                                                        Will Daley

Roy Payne                                                                               S. S. Woodruff

Joe Milner                                                                               Lynn Epley

John Alford                                                                            Charles Cook

Vollie Van Bramer                                                                Rees Ritchart

Jack Wollaver                                                                        Harry Chambers

Bill Meads                                                                              John Stygletz

Dan Freyberger                                                                    W.H. Coffman

Orie John Stiglets                                                                 Ed Chasteen

John Alford                                                                           Charles Evett

Louis Tolland                                                                       Blaine Hammond

Lee Hays                                                                                R.G. Spencer

Bill Derby                                                                             Hugh Peak

John Hays                                                                             George Stoddard

W.J. Galligan                                                                        C.W. Jones

Lynn Edmonds                                                                    Henry Ellis

Dave James                                                                          John Mason

Bill Richert                                                                          Joe Loyd

Frank Maxwell                                                                  G.F. Hicks

Charlie Reed                                                                       John Cook

Dan Apgar                                                                          Lee Kelim

Bill Messenger                                                                   W.L. Thorndike

Elmer Cole                                                                         Charles Prior

Jim Simpson                                                                       E.L. Milner

Walter Davis                                                                     Bert Arb

Frank Spotts                                                                     Merl Bosserman

Charlie Cook                                                                     Doc Bahr

R. Coble                                                                              R. Smith

Harland Cox                                                                     Harry Walace

Earl Denton                                                                      R. Williamson

Bernard Flangan                                                            Chauncey Winton

Lester Foote                                                                     Ellis Galland

Will Galland                                                                    Maynard Graham

Porter Glascow                                                               Tennis Grimes

Raymond Handy                                                            Paul Hindes

Donald Horner                                                               Emil Horton

Elmer Ivers                                                                     E. Jones

O.P. Kelly                                                                        Lester Kruse

Art Kruse                                                                       R.C. McKinley

Russel Myers                                                                 J. Miller

Adin Minks                                                                   Orville More

J. Monahan                                                                   Paul Mills

George Miner                                                              Claude Moon

Otis Moon                                                                    L. Osborn

Raymond Patterson                                                  A. Parks

Russell Paxton                                                           M. Punteney

Floyd Preston                                                            Wallace Cline

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loveland Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1

On June 7th. 1887, W.B Sutherland and O.C. Tinkham petitioned the Board of Trustees to organize a Hook and Ladder Company. The matter was referred to a special committee for study. On July 8th, the Board approved the motion to form the Loveland Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1. This group catered to the common man and provided the same basic service as the Bartholf Hose Company. The two companies functions almost totally separate although it is known that they shared the same Hose House, built in November of 1890.

Each group had its own foreman, assistant foreman, secretary and treasurer . They held separate meetings with the occasional joint meeting in an attempt to iron out their differences and schedule forthcoming contests and civic affairs.

An intense rivalry sprang up between the two groups. When there was a fire, both groups wanted to be responsible for extinguishing the blaze. At times this went to extremes, with men from one group guarding the closest water supply to the fire and attempting to prevent the other group from using it so their own equipment would have the water when it arrived. If one group succeeded in getting to the fire first and securing the water supply, the second group would sometimes cut the rival’s hose or attempt to steal some of the others equipment to hinder their success.

Possible example of the Gleason and Baily 1897 Hook and Ladder

Incidents such as these caused the Board to issue Ordinance No. 41 in March of 1894. In it they established a Fire department of the town of Loveland. The two companies still would operate independently. Fines were levied on those who disobeyed orders on a fire scene and made provisions for the return of equipment to each company after a fire. This was in an effort to cut down on the infighting. Rivalries such as this were quite common with volunteer companies around the country at this time.

Loveland Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1 Established 1897

William A. Osborn (Chief 1908)

W. Mahaffey

Roy Schaap

Merton Wild

Bill Workman

B. L. Bonnie Brannan

Sam Puntenney

Max Overholt

Max Overholt

Phillip File

Burt Blair

John Cunningham

Jim Boyle

Bern Kempton

John Wilson

George Johnson

Mason Knapp

A. K. Merriman

George L. Dennis

Joe Seaman

Warren Schroll

J. B. Bel

George Hunter

George Johnson

James Boyle

E. C. Brownlee

Otto Osborn

B. B. Johnson

S. K. Rowles

R. F. Stewart

J. H. Mayfield

N. L. Wolfe

J. W. Brownlee

E. W. Powers

Ray Stewart

C. P. Blair

J.D. Leas

R. H. Verner

Loveland Fire Department 1900-1910

At the beginning of a new century, Loveland was still a small agricultural town of 1,091 in population.  Over the next ten years it would grow about 12.84% each year to reach a population of 3,651 people by 1910.  The main part of the city was from Roosevelt on the West side to Hayes on the East side.  The southern border was 1st Street extending to 8th Street on the North.  There was a eight block long by two block wide finger west of the railroad tracks that extended to 14th Street (Highway 34 today). City streets were not paved and were either dusty, ankle deep in mud or snow, depending on the season.

In 1900 the Bartholf Hose Team along with the Loveland Hook and Ladder Company were still operating out of the old Hose House, located on the west side of Cleveland Ave. on the north side of the alley. (Today this a parking lot)  Both companies had around 19-20 members each.  Each had their own officers and operated as separate entities.  Both companies were still operating using a hand pulled Hose Cart and Ladder wagon.  Firefighters were still notified of an emergency by the ringing of the fire bell located on the Hose house.  Fighting fires still relied on manually pulling their equipment to the fire and operating off hydrant pressure for hose streams.  Personal protective gear was still whatever they had on and breathing apparatus was still in the future.  These were the days of iron men with leather lungs.

Bartholf Hose Company.  This group was comprised mainly of the Business men and the Well to do.

Loveland Hook and Ladder Company.  This group was comprised mainly of the blue collar and working class.

But the coming decade would see many improvements for the Fire Service in Loveland.  Electricity was coming readily available providing better lighting, telephones were being installed which would help getting the call faster to the Fire Department.  As the city grew, the water distribution system tried to keep up with the expansion.  The Hose Company and the Hook and Ladder, being independent of each other, a natural rivalry sprang up between them.  They would race each other to a fire, and there could be some rather spirited competition on who would claim the closest hydrant enabling them to be the first to fight the fire.  Though through this rivalry, much of Loveland’s early social life can be said to have come from the two groups trying to out do each other in civic duties.  The Bartholf Hose company was actively involved in Hose cart racing tournaments, where other fire departments would compete against each other in firefighting skills.  The Hose company was made up of mainly the business member of the community and the more well to do.  They would bring in personal trainers to get them ready for the competitions, and held State records in a few events.  Where as the Hook and ladder company was made up from the more blue collar working class of the city, and probably could not afford to participate in the competitions.

As the city grew and the construction of the Great Western Sugar plant in 1901, the fire department was being stretched to its limits.  In 1909 the city decided that it needed a better station of the fire companies.  It voted to construct a new station, located just East of the old Hose House, on  220 East 5th street  across the street of todays Museum.  It was also decided to purchase a new motorized fire truck.  Loveland would be the second city in the state to own a motorized fire truck.  Denver and Lamar still argue as to which was first to do this.  In September 1909 the Bartholf Hose company took delivery of the 1909 Seagrave fire truck.  This truck came with a 40 horse power 6 cylinder engine, electric starter, oil lamps for night driving and solid rubber tires.  It carried 1200 feet  of 2 inch fire hose along with a rechargeable soda acid extinguishing system.  This would greatly help in getting to the fire scene without having to pull everything by hand.  Records are pretty scarce concerning the Hook and Ladder.  It isn’t know for sure if they placed there equipment on the Seagraves or still pulled it to fires and acted as a supporting company.  The Hose cart remained in use for fire competitions with a newer lighter version eventually being bought to replace it.

 

 

1909 Seagraves in front of the new Fire Station at 220 East 5th Street

The first decade of the 1900’s saw drastic changes for the city and its fire department.  We were leaders in the state with the purchase of the 2nd or 3rd (depending on who you ask) motorized apparatus in the state.  The rivalry between the two companies lead to better service and improvements in how things were done, and through the efforts of the volunteers the city and its citizens benefited in the end.

By Lynn Stauffer  Loveland Fire Museum Inc.

 

History of the Volunteers

The Loveland Fire Department has over a 100 year tradition of being a Volunteer organization.  During that time it provided a professional and unselfish community service to the city of Loveland.  These volunteers served their community for little to no compensation because of what they felt was the right thing to do in order to give back to the town in which they lived.  It was a unique brotherhood and in many cases a family tradition of giving back to their community.  From 1883 until somewhere around the early 2000’s they served the city, and in the process saved the city untold amounts.  But as the city grew in population and the call load increased, it became apparent that the time of the volunteer had come and gone for the city of Loveland.

Their story began in 1883 when Frank Bartholf organized the Bartholf Hose Company.  They operated off a hand pulled hose cart.  Members of the Hose Company were comprised of mainly business members or prominent citizens from the city. They numbered around 19-20 members and elected as their first Forman (Chief) Oskar Riker.  Mr. Bartholf was also involved in sponsoring the Loveland Boys band.

In 1897 W.B. Sutherland and O.C. Tinkman petitioned the city for permission to start the Loveland Hook and Ladder Company.  Members of this group tended to be formed from the more blue collar citizens of the city.  They also numbered around 19-20 members at the time. Both companies operated out of the same Hose house built in 1890.  As in many cities with competing fire companies there would tend to be spirited completion on who got to the fire first.

In 1909 the city built a new fire station at 220 E 5th St.  That same year the purchase of a new 1909 motorized Seagrave fire truck was made.  In 1911 the city combined the two companies into one organization that became the Loveland Fire department.  The name would be changed later to the Loveland Volunteer Fire department due to possible liability issues.  They had a total of 40 members with the first Fire Chief being J.D Leas.  The first employee was hired in 1912 to drive the truck and maintain the station with a relief driver hired the following year.

Early on members served for a five year membership.  They could apply for an additional five year period after that.  Maximum membership was increased in 1935 to 50 members.  In 1938 they discontinued the practice of five year memberships and reduced the maximum number of members to 30.  In the 70’s membership was increased to 50 members and then to 60.  By the 8o’s it would again be increased to 70 members.

In 1991 the City hired its first paid Fire chief.  Dick Minor from California.  many changes occurred over the next decade.  In 1991 there became 4 classes of members:

Active: Not to exceed 70 members.  Requirements for training and call attendance remained the same.

Support: Not to exceed ten percent of the active members. Active members with 15 or more years of service could request transfer to this group.  These members still had to maintain the required training hours but only 50% of the remaining requirements of the active members.

Retired: Members with 20 or more years of service.

Honorary: City manager and members of the Fire Board.  Also anyone with 10 years of service but less that 20.

By 2008 there were only around 35 volunteer firefighters on the roles.  They no longer responded to calls when the alarm went off but instead were required to schedule either a 24 hour shift or split it into two shifts of twelve hours.  The city had grown and spread greatly over the last 100 years.  Employers were less inclined to let there employee’s that were volunteers to leave work to respond to emergencies.  The increased call load and the increasing specialization of the fire service eventually eliminated the functionality of the volunteer firefighter.  But the organization as it stands today is build on the foundation of what those men and women built.

Loveland Fire Department 1910-1920

On January of 1910, the beginning of a new decade found the Loveland Fire Department in its new Fire Station at 220 E 5th street.  It was still formed of two separate companies.  The Bartholf Hose Company, which had received its first motorized truck in 1909, (the 1909 Seagraves), and the Loveland Hook and Ladder.  Records on the Hook and Ladder are very hard to come by, and much of what they did other than a list of the members is unavailable.  Even a clear picture of what their hand pulled equipment without the members standing in front of and on top has not been located yet.  The city population in 1910 was 3651 and by 1920 had only grown to 5065.  Loveland was still primarily a farming community with growth potential from the railroad and the new sugar factory

 

The decade would see big changes in the fire department.  On February 21, 1911, a petition was summited to the town council to consolidate the two fire companies.  These were to be consolidated under the name of the Loveland Fire department.  The department would be manned by a maximum of 40 volunteer firefighters.  The volunteers elected a fire chief, two assistant chiefs, a secretary and a treasurer as their board of directors.  The fire chief would appoint captains and lieutenants to supervise fire ground operations.  Funding was provided by the city and later the rural fire protection district.

The fire chiefs that served the city during the decade were as follows:

J.D Leas            1911-1912

F.M Kerns        1913

John Putney     1914

L.R. Riker          1915

C.C. Irwin          1916

Elmer Ivers       1917-1918, 1920

Harry Ross         1919

With the complexities of operating the new apparatus and getting it to the fires in a quicker manner, the first paid driver (Engineer)  was hired by the city sometime before August of 1912.  A second Engineer was hired in 1913.  These men worked one on and one off.  If one was sick or on vacation, the other would have to work connective shifts.  Their duties included maintaining the station and apparatus, along with assisting with the filling and cleaning of kerosene lamps for the public.

By 1919 the Seagraves was becoming not dependable.  It suffered many breakdown on responses and was greatly in need of being replaced.  The department replaced it with a new 1919 Federal cab and chassis.  The old hose bed and equipment of the Seagraves were then mounted to the chassis.  Could possibly have been one of the first rebuilds of fire apparatus in the area.

During the decade Loveland suffered its share of fire incidents.  A  small sample of them are as follows:

July 6, 1915.  A fire in the W.B McPherrin barn caused extensive damage due to lack of water pressure.  Lack of water pressure was due to people not turning off their lawn sprinklers upon hearing the fire bells, as per city ordnance, and the fact that the apparatus was not equipped with a fire pump.

September 1, 1917. A fire at the Fair grounds that resulted in losses of barns and stables.  See past article on this site for additional info.

March 15, 1918. Mrs. B.E Gerhart suffered burns after her clothing caught fire while burning trash.  She passed away the next day from her injuries.

March 29, 1918. The Foreland Elevator Company suffered a fire that gutted the milling building.  Fire was due to faulty wiring.

September 23, 1918.  A fire destroyed a barn at the Rose residence at 211 Garfield.

Loveland did experience growth during the decade that impacted the fire departments ability to fight fires.  Larger buildings were continually being built.  Some of the buildings built during this period are as follows:

Loveland Hotel, 1912.  This replaced the older hotel at this location that had burnt.  This building is the currant Elks building.

Loveland High School, 1917.  Currently known as Bill Reed Jr. High.

The Rialto Theater, 1919.

A second water treatment plant was constructed along with a new water tower located at 14th and Cleveland.

The fire department was born in 1911 from combining the two separate companies.  It continued to grow along with the city and after over a 100 years is still going strong.  I seriously doubt that the members from 1911 would even imagine what they had started would become the organization it is today.

Lynn Stauffer

 

Loveland Fire Department 1920-1930

Loveland grew very little during the years of 1920 through 1930.  It began the decade with a population of 5065 and ended it with 5506.  The slow growth would continue until the 60s when HP and other industries would start to move in.  It was relatively quiet for the fire department also.

In 1921 Loveland hosted the annual State Firefighters convention.  Departments from all over the state came to town to share ideas and mainly to compete in the hose competitions.  Loveland had been very involved with these competitions since the forming of the original Bartholf Hose Company.

In 1925 Loveland purchased a new LaFrance pumper.  This was a huge improvement for them.  The LaFrance came with a 750 gpm pump and a large hose bed.  With its electric spot light to light up scenes and a Soda Acid system for quick attack, it would make a big impact in the departments capability in fighting fires.  This was the first rig in the city to have a pump on it, though it still had no water tank.  Prior to that water came from whatever pressure they could get from the hydrant if one was near.  The Loveland Fire Museum Inc. still owns the LaFrance, and it has been restored to its original shape.  Thanks to the generous contributions received through a fund drive it is getting some badly needed repairs to its motor and drive train.  It is hoped to be back sometime in July.

1925 American LaFrance Pumper

 

The Chief officers of this time period are as follows:

Elmer Ivers, 1920 and 1921.  Chief Ivers was a electrical contractor. He also served as the Postmaster and Mayor of Loveland for 21 years.

C.P. Kelly, 1922, 1923 and 1924.  Chief Kelly went on to serve as the Larimer county Sheriff for 3 years and became the Chief of Police for the city of Ft. Collins.

L.C Pruett, 1925 through 1928. Chief Pruett owned the Bonnel Buick dealership in Loveland and a dealership in Ft. Morgan.

Fred Schroder, 1929 and 1930. Chief Schroder worked as a salesman for Bonnel Buick.

Though the decade of the 20’s was pretty quiet the Department always worked on improving its level of service to the community.  The system of the fire bell was replaced by a siren on top of the station to alert its members and the city of a call.  They also began to start training its members in Basic first aid sometime in the mid 1920’s. There was an issue with not being able to take city owned equipment out of the city limits for a call.  This would be addressed in the next decade.  So the little fire department with the shoestring budget really was able to provide a very good and progressive level of service to the citizens of Loveland.

 

By: Lynn Stauffer