Page 117 - History of the Colton Fire Department

shots throughout the Inland Empire with music.
There
would also be a live skit or act built around the theme.
For the 1997 Firefighters’ Ball, Dennis found
some interest from our Explorers to participate in an ac-
tion play. They built a stage in the Ball Room and with
a fog machine they layered a solid flow of smoke into the
Audience. This was to be a fire scene in which firefight-
ers were entering the building and doing an initial search
for victims. As if they were dancing with the smoke to
the somewhat illusive music, a firefighter would eventu-
ally find and scoop a child into his arms from deep within
the smoke. The firefighter would climb his way out of
danger and carry the child to safety. In 1998 it was about
Firefighters’ from other galaxies with a William Shatner
look alike and Star Trek actors. In 1999 There was a
magic show which with Brent kicking it off as he disap-
pears in a video and reappears into a live firework dis-
play.
Knowing the amount of work and dedication to
organize a large function such as this on an annual basis,
Colton had hopes to get other fire departments through-
out Riverside and San Bernardino counties involved. So
the first year was called the “Colton Firefighters’ Ball”,
then it was renamed to the “Inland Empire Firefighters
Ball”. The theory was to establish a local Firefighters
Ball with the purpose of raising money for needy children
in hopes that other departments would take turns hosting
the event. After Colton hosted the Ball for 3 years Den-
nis designed the logo for the 2000 Firefighters’ Ball that
was to follow but it was decided that 1999 would be our
last.
2001
On September 11, 2001 was a day that the whole
world would remember. It was also my mother’s birth-
day but I’m afraid it became over shadowed by the day’s
events. Fire Departments everywhere had offered their
manning and support to the efforts at the World Trade
Centre. As frustrating and horrifying as it was to watch,
we were told to sit tight and hug our loved ones. New
Top; 911 Memorial Service In Rialto with Colton’s Ladder Truck
Middle: Captain Kevin Valentin in front with Captain Don Benfield
to the rear.
Bottom: A page from the Target Hazzard book that
Captain Valentin created. 117