Page 120 - History of the Colton Fire Department

completed at Fire Station 1 to replace the aging wooden Administrative Secretary with 1 assistant and the Fire
tower that was built in 1956. The new 4 story, 1280 square chief. With the current reductions Colton now has 27
foot metal structure is used for a variety of training. A Floor personnel.
standpipe and sprinkler system was installed to train in The men and women of the Colton Fire Depart-
standpipe connections, sprinkler shut-off, and water sal- ment has willingly sacrificed pay and benefits over the last
vage. The tower can also be used for ladder training, few years due to the state and federal cuts that required
both deployments as well as ladder rescue. It can also be cities to reduce services. They did so without reduc-
charged with smoke to simulate a burning building. Vari- ing the quality of service to the community and that NO
ous moveable mazes have been constructed and placed safety personnel would be forcefully laid off. Firefight-
inside to simulate search and rescue procedures. A 4’x ers nearing retirement stepped forward and the necessary
4’ cutout is located on the roof to train personnel in roof cuts were made to maintain the close family structure so
ventilation. Several anchors have been added to the roof that there would not be any catastrophic hardships.
to conduct rope rescue drills and repelling. There are many lives that have been touched but
many stories that remain untold. One must not forget
2009 that Firefighter’s have families too, as expressed in this
In 2009 the Firefighter position as an individual poem.
role was eliminated. Every Firefighter was also a Para- C A L L W A I T I N G
medic. When an individual would advance to Engineer, I’m laying in the darkness, I cannot fall asleep.
Captain or beyond would have the option to maintain his I wonder where my husband is, I wish he’d call or beep.
Paramedic certification. Many would maintain their Par- I saw him leave this morning, the black boots on his feet.
amedic Certification and by doing so, would increase the He said he had to run now, and I know he’s on the street.
efficiency of a crew in a critical situation. You’ll know him when You see him, his truck is very loud.
He has no time to stop now, he doesn’t want a crowd.
Up until now there has been minor changes to sta- A caller said “Please hurry!” Come quickly if you will.
tion 1 since 1937. Finally, a complete remodel was fin- A young man with a motorbike is laying very still.
ished that was years in the planning and took over a year A mother calls in anguish, her child limp and blue.
to complete. In June of 2009, the new remodel was open HURRY! Come, I need you! I don’t know what to do.
to the public for a viewing and celebration. Some dona- I hear his key turning, he’s coming in the door.
tions were offered by individuals and business owners to I hear him drop his boots, then footsteps on the floor.
frame and matt many of the old and new pictures for wall I hear him in the kitchen, I can tell from his walk,
display and decoration. Mrs. Colton’s school bell still He’ll soon come and wake me, and ask if we can talk.
stands in front and was reenforced during the remodel. We’ll sit out in the moonlight, and listen to the night.
He talks about a shooting, a street gang in a fight.
A car crash, a drowning, a small child hurt at play.
2011 The things he needs to talk about, the things he did today.
The population is now over 52,000 approach- The old, the sick, the injured, some so very small.
ing twice the number in 1988 prior to station 4 being He did all he could to help them, he answered every call.
built. The call load has almost doubled as well. Now Every day he has a mission, he knows it in his heart.
in a struggling economy, every small city in California He does everything he can and always does his part.
seems to be fighting to make ends meet. Income that the If you are sick or injured and you need to reach my Hon,
city would normally depend on from the state has been I can tell you how to reach him, his number is ......911.
reduced if not eliminated. Businesses are closing along
with the tax base, real estate has taken a nasty decline and A Firefighter’s Wife
so did any property tax income. The largest expense in
any city is their police and fire departments. Colton like
many other small cities has been forced to drastically cut In 2012 Colton will celibrate it’s 125th Birthday.
their most important community services. Over the past
2 years with the start of this economic decline, Colton has Happy Birthday Colton!
been reducing services and manning, not knowing where
the bottom is. Colton once had 48 floor personnel, 3 Bat-
talion Chiefs, a Fire Marshal with 2 fire prevention aids,

120 Above; These figures are to highlight the departments expansion and contraction over time with the cities steady growth.