Page 2 - History of the Colton Fire Department

In Recognition of all Colton Firefighters

And

Support Personnel

Firefighters’ around the world are recognized as heroes for the job that they do.
We don’t think of ourselves as heroes, but as men and women that enjoy the satis-
faction of helping others. But, it is what you do in the face of danger that defines a
hero and I can see a hero lurking in all Firefighters as they have a determination to
succeed no matter what the task. Firefighters work and study hard to be proficient
in many technical and physical arenas. Every city around the world has a similar
history in the way that their fire protection was developed. This story is about a
small town in southern California where Virgil Earp was Marshall, Ken Hubbs
played little league and over four generations of Firefighters’ graced the apparatus
floor.
Colton was always known for its training and had strived to be the best that they
could be. For this reason, it was in 1889 that they adopted the motto “Semper Fi”.
This was recognized throughout Colton's history as not only a motto but the way
to conduct business and live their life.
I was a firefighter, Paramedic and retired as an engineer from the city of Colton af-
ter 27 years. During those years I always had a fascination for maintaining the de-
partment’s history. I started taking video and pictures early in my career in order to
document my generation of firefighters while collecting stories and pictures of past
generations. Firefighters call one another brother and sister because of their close
living and working relationships with one another. Over time you get to know their
spouses and watch their children grow. The Fire Department is sometimes consid-
ered your second family. Most every firefighter has another trade. If you need a
helping hand or just advice, you have lots of brothers and sisters that are willing to
help. I am very proud to have served
in the Colton Fire Department and
honored to have served with such
great men and women.
I would like to give a special rec-
ognition to those that have paid
the ultimate sacrifice for which the
“Fallen Firefighters Memorial” in
Sacramento California pays tribute
to.

Dennis Bickers
Colton Fire Department
Retired, 2009

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