Page 26 - History of the Colton Fire Department

The citizens of Colton were entertained with a such criminals as Silud Silva for having stabbed Colton
demonstration from San Bernardino Fire Department policeman Frank Gonzales, the grandfather of former
with their new automotive fire truck on May 26, 1911. Colton mayor and present City Councilman (elected Dec.
This would spark interest among the community and de- 2010) Frank A. Gonzales.
partment members began discussing with city trustees Chief U’Ren ordered diplomas and asked that
about the possible purchase of an auto fire truck. City they be prepared and sent to all old and retired firemen.
trustees agreed to share the costs 50/50. Since M.A. Bagley was present and giving his resignation
at this meeting, the chief ordered that he also be given a
suitable diploma and placed on the honorary list being
that he was a charter member of the department.
1912

It became a priority of Chief U’Ren to install fire alarm
systems throughout the city. He began to investigate the
cost. He then appointed a committee to draw up new
plans to redistrict the town for a fire alarm system. San
Bernardino City had aided in the discussions on the new
fire alarm system.

Al U’Ren

Later that year A.L. U’Ren would be elected as
the 10th Colton Volunteer Fire Chief. He was born in There were 2 Fire-
men that would
England in June 1872. He moved to Colton by 1889. be appointed to
Chief U’Ren worked with George Bond at the Colton have a duel role as
Fruit Exchange. The original Colton Fruit Exchange both Fire & Police.
Packing House was destroyed by fire in 1910. He also An unidentified indi-
worked as a rubber at the Marble Works and at the St. vidual had brought
this badge to show
Clair Livery Stable until he followed his passion into law around 1990 and
enforcement. He was a guard at Cajon Prison Camp in this is all that re-
1915. The City Board of Trustees appointed him City mains of a poor
Marshal on April 29th, 1918 until 1921 when he resigned quality photo.
and became Justice of Peace from at least 1924
26 to 1928. As Justice of the Peace he arraigned