Page 42 - History of the Colton Fire Department

1932 1935
Ever see a fireman feeding a horse with a bottle of milk? - Just go Federal Works Progress Administration - The new Fire
behind City Hall and watch Firemen G.C. Carter and George Kin- Hall building is to cost about 524,851.00. The plans were turned
man taking care of a colt. The colt was donated to the firemen from over to the W.P.A. district headquarters for consideration. The plans
the train load of horses passing through the Southern Pacific yards. call for a semi-mission type one-story building. A one unit square
Yesterday, Police Chief John A. Miller, also received a colt, as did building 70 x 70 feet and a 50 foot hose tower, 12 x 12 feet is in-
Ray Araiza. The firemen colt is becoming the pet of the downtown cluded. Space on the Tenth Street side of the building would provide
district. So far he has received a striped scotch horse blanket, a safe- space for three fire trucks, while on the E Street side, two apartments
ty pin, a beer bottle and a nipple. Chief Miller has offered to race his -for drivers and their families. The hall would be an earthquake
colt against the firemen’s nag in a special feature on July 4. Training proof structure of reinforced concrete, a tile roof and mission style
will start in a few days. building. The building will have plastered interior and steel sash.
- Colton Courier, May 27, 1932. There will be also space for firemen’s meetings and assembly rooms,
kitchen, showers and other facilities. The property was owned by
Municipal Park horse race - Police Chief Miller’s colt named Dy- Mrs. Charles A. Hutchinson, wife of the late city engineer.
namite is a star-faced chestnut sorrel and does not like to be tick- - Colton Courier, November 13, 1935.
led. The Fire Department’s “Lightnin” is best known and a slight
favorite. Cyclone, Ray Araiza’s burlap has speed. The race will be at 1936
Municipal Park and proceeds will go to the relief society. In addition
to the horse race there is a baseball game, an open air dance and Ove Larson would remain as chief for a second
broadcast of a Baer-Levinsky fight, a band concert and an all-state year along with his Assistant Chief J.J. Andrews, Captain
picnic and swimming. Lewis Vaughan (father of Wes Vaughn), and Lieutenant
- Colton Courier, June 15, 1932. C. Steeves (driver).

About 2,000 persons attended the Municipal Park horse race -
“Cyclone”, Ray Araiza’s young colt who pulled a surprise and won
the “Snortin Derby”. His workouts did not fool the experts as he
showed his heels in the work outs to the other two colts.
-Colton Courier, July 5, 1932.

1933
Who is in charge here! - Affairs of the Colton Fire Department in
the future will be under the direct supervision of the Fire Chief. It
was passed by the City Council. The Chief is in charge of regulating
the duties and employment of two paid drivers and to direct the work
of volunteers. Fire Chief Friend I. Lombra added this is passed so
the Chief can keep close tab on all the department’s expenditures.
- Colton Courier, August 15, 1933.

1934
After 11 years as Colton’s Volunteer Fire Chief,
Friend Lombra accepted a County position as Constable
and resigned from the fire department. Considerable time
was devoted to a discussion of a request recently made
by the Board of Fire Underwriters that the City Councils
throughout the State be given authority to appoint their
fire chiefs. The object was to insure a reduction in fire
Insurance rates. An examination of existing ordinances
regulating fire department operations revealed the fact
that such authority already exists in the city of Colton un-
der Ordinance No. 99. It was therefore requested that the
Volunteer Fire Department make a recommendation as to
the fire chief position. It was recommended and ratified
that Ove Larson would be reelected as the Colton Volun-
teer Fire Chief. Ove Larson would also be recognized as
being the last of Colton’s Volunteer Fire Chiefs.

42