Page 54 - History of the Colton Fire Department

1952 Christmas Display.

1951 1952
On February 24, 1951 the State of California De- Many of the early fire apparatus was built by the
partment of Education provided instructor Ward Ensley members of the department or purchased from military
from the Riverside Fire Department to teach the Colton surplus due to lack of funding. In 1952 the members
firemen a 15 hour first aid and resuscitator class. The built a Ford pumper and a ladder truck on a military
training of these post war years was limited due to re- surplus Seagraves pumper. The department also had a
sources. Some of the recommendations from State Fire 1950 Seagraves, 1938 Seagraves, and a 1924 Seagraves.
Training recommended continual training within the During this period the 1914 Seagraves was sold for $200
department to include at least one on duty officer at all scrap metal. Al Teague said that Ed Temby was quite the
times, with the responsibility of training personnel on all artist and had the pin stripping on Betsy half done before
phases of life saving and fire fighting. This would have they made the decision to scrap her. Al also said that be-
contributed to higher efficiency and moral within the de- sides building many of their rigs, adding pumps, ladders,
partment. Al Teague had stated that when he began storage compartments, etc. They would also give them a
working for the Colton in June of 1951, that they still had nice paint job until the paint booth regulations went into
the 2 platoon shifts with 4 per shift. effect.

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