Page 47 - History of the Colton Fire Department

The new $30,000 fire station at the Shortly after crews moved into the
corner of 10th and E Streets was a wel- new station, a flood swept through Col-
come change by the Drivers Nick Carter ton. Lytle Creek had overflowed its banks
and George Kinman after they and their and the station was in its path. The water
families had lived above City Hall for 11 was up to the rear windows and 3 feet of
and 12 years respectively. The Fire Sta- mud poured through the engine bays. The
tion had been housed at City Hall since it generator was running to keep a few lights
was constructed 50 years prior. on and they had a stove to cook on. Joe
The new siren that was shipped Howe took the engine to higher ground be-
from Massachusetts was similar to an air fore the flood hit. A rope was stretched
raid siren. It was manually pulled from across the street to pull food across 10th
within the station in order to notify the Street. Wes Vaughn told me during his
volunteers to respond. It was very loud 2007 interview that he was very busy at
and could easily be heard for 2 miles. The home. His wife was pregnant with Wes
first night in their new station was one to Junior and he had to carry them both to
remember. The two drivers, Kinman and safety, wading through deep water to get
Carter had settled into their bunks for a them to dry ground.
quiet night in their new home. It was al- 1938
ways early to bed and early to rise at the Chief Lombra’s first order of busi-
fire house, without television and comput- ness was to improve the existing depart-
ers to keep you occupied. You might train ment of 24 volunteers and two paid driv-
or study until it is dark then wake up in ers by acting upon the Fire Underwriter’s
the morning and start again. About 9:30 recommendations of 1937 which included
on their first night, the quiet atmosphere updating fire hydrants, water supply, fire
was shattered with a bellowing sound like alarm system, additional paid personnel,
a “thousand cows”. Kinman and Carter and a new pumper. To improve the city’s
were jerked out of their beds by the awful insurance rating, public safety and fire re-
wail. Sleepy eyed volunteers across town sponse, Chief Lombra obtained a basic fire
threw on their clothes and streaked to- alarm system (Gamewell) that was to be
wards the fire station. Before long, there installed in the downtown area. However,
was a large audience to watch George this fire alarm system remained idol from
Kinman attempt to rectify the situation. 1937 until 1959. For reasons unknown,
The large whistle was mounted on a high the equipment was set aside for 22 years.
50 foot pole with a rope that ran into the Installation of this Gamewell fire system
building. The new rope had tightened in was completed under the direction of As-
the evening’s damp air and shorted the sistant Chief Don Dunniway, Colton fire-
rope, holding the whistles lever wide open. men and Colton electric department per-
The rope had stretched tight and the knot sonnel. The system was in use till 1983
on the station house was high out of reach. when the 911 emergency lines provided
Finally after help arrived, George Kinman complete coverage for Colton.
was able to erect the ladders together and On December 29, 1938 the new
climbed some 50 feet up the pole while 750 GPM Seagraves pumper was shipped
precariously holding on with one arm, was to Colton by rail.
able to loosen the rope and ended the hor-
rifying streak of the Whistle.
On July 23, 1937, the fire depart-
ment budget reflected the chief’s salary of
$175.00 per month and a driver’s salary of
$135.00 per month with a total department
budget of $8,350.00 for the year. 47