Page 31 - History of the Colton Fire Department

According to the firemen’s log the members pur-
chased liberty bonds and the funds taken out of the Gen-
eral Fund at the time of purchase in the amount of $50.
J. Adamson asked the chief on behalf of the City
Marshal if as many firemen as possible would wear their
uniforms on the 4th of July to help police the city and also
be willing to take part in the parade.
Chief Strunk reported to the membership that a
very nice letter had been received from the Colton Grain
and Milling Company showing their appreciation to the
Fire Department for their good work at their recent fire.
Also included with the letter were two boxes of cigars.
The Fletcher Fire Alarm System was adopted and a dia-
gram made of it placed on the wall in the engine room.

1918
Ove Larsen was elected as the 13th Colton Volun-
teer Fire Chief. Ove was born in Iowa, about 1885 and
a plumber by trade. He was neighbors of Friend Lombra
and John Bostwick and shared a business location with
Friend Lombra. Chief Larsen was to hire a man to give
each the first and second drivers one evening per week
off from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at a rate of $2.00 per
evening.
Members of the volunteer fire department dis-
cussed the purchase of firefighter turnout suits at a cost
ranging from $14.75-22.75. After discussion the mem- Ove Larsen
bership agreed to order 24 globe turnout suits. The De-
partment decided to throw a benefit dance to finance the
purchasing of the new turnout suits.

1919
Roy Jones was elected as Colton’s 14th Volunteer
Fire Chief. Chief Jones reported to the membership, a
letter of thanks from Loma Linda for the department’s
response to their fire at the sanitarium. A question came
up as to whether or not they should get permission from
the city prior to leaving on a mutual aid.
Fire department log shows that Fireman Caster
made a motion that the department order a floral piece for
past Fireman Fox’s funeral.

1920
After 4 years with the department the member-
ship elected Friend Lombra as their 15th Volunteer Fire
Chief. It was noted in the log that Fire Chief Lombra
proposes to have a fire ordinance published and he ex-
pects that fire and police will need to get busy in order for
it to be enforced.
Homer Fox
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