Page 46 - History of the Colton Fire Department

1937 nite plans now entertained by Lombra are regular
1937 was the beginning of a new drills; regular inspection of properties to spot fire
era for the Colton Fire Department. hazards and order them eliminated; enforcement of
the ordinance as to the burning of rubbish. Lom-
Woodrow Wilson’s Work Program Administration bra suggested that it “is a little early” to draft any
(WPA) finished their construction of a new Fire hard and fast program, as he has until April 15th
Station at the corner of 10th and E Street. A new to think it over, consult with advisors, and to attend
Fire Chief is in the new plans. Friend Lombra an accredited school for chiefs. In the main, he de-
came to Colton in 1911. He has been a member clared, the matter of firefighting and fire prevention
of the fire department over 20 years. He was As- is “one of common sense”, and he plans to exercise
sistant Volunteer Chief for one year and chief of that quality as the occasion requires.
the department eleven years. Three years ago he
was elected Constable of the Colton Township and The Colton Volunteer Firemen
resigned as Chief of the Fire Department. Now he would still be active but with all of the
is being offered a full-time paid position as head new changes and promotions, not every-
of the department. He is resigning from the County one would be happy. Since the Coun-
position to return to the services of the city. cil had the complete authority to hire the
- Colton Courier, March 16, 1937.
most qualified Fire Chief, the recommen-
dations from a majority of the Volunteers
was declined. After the City Council
elected Friend Lombra for the position of
Fire chief, there was a letter directed to the
Council with 16 Resignations.
“We the following members of the Colton Volun-
teer Fire Department hereby tender our resigna-
tions. Some of us have served many years. All of
us have the interest of the City at heart, so we agree
to remain on call until next May 1st. This should
give yourselves and the newly appointed Chief of
the Fire Department time to adjust for the new pro-
gram.”
Ove Larsen 26 years
J.R. Fletcher 37 years
W. H. McGrall
J.J. Andrews 20 years
N. Blake 8 years
George Coe 19 years
Friend Lombra will take over on April 15, 1937 A.W. Mashburn 10 years
as Chief and Arthur H. Maher of Colton, 163 West Walter Harpold 27 years
B Street, will take over as constable of the Colton
Township. He is a plasterer by trade. W.L. Boyd 13 years
- Colton Courier, March 22, 1937. F.H. Jones 21 years
When the local paper interviewed Mr. C.W. Steeves 6 years
Lombra, he had this to say. J.M. Wattles 12 years
Commenting upon the city’s new hall on 10th Street M. Galloway 11 years
Lombra declared the plant is the very latest thing A.P. Hunter 15 years
for the purpose is ideally located, and providing Bishop Galloway 8 years
an excellent opportunity to develop one of the Knox Henderson
46 best small-city departments. Among defi-