HISTORY OF THE BAXENDALE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Prologue: I have started this history of the Baxendale Fire Department so that it will become an integral and on going part of our department. I felt it was necessary to recognize those people that worked so hard to get the department up and going. I reviewed volumns of old correspondence, budgets, minutes of meetings and visited Dreher's and Delano's to collaborate my findings. I have followed this history from the beginnings, 1985-2002. It is my wish to carry on with it as we continue to grow.
Respectfully submitted
Judy Gleason, Secretary
In 1985 a group of residents along Highway 12 West, got together and started the long hard journey of forming a fire district which we know today as Baxendale Fire District. they encountered many detours on their journey. Gil Wolf, chet Dreher, Kate and John Delano, Cary Duncan, Hike Holland, Ted Beck and many others met weekly for two years to see the project through.
Toward the latter part of June, 1987, the Lewis and Clark County Commission appointed the initial five trustees of the Baxendale Fire District and charged them with creating an operational fire department. The board members were: Gil Wolf-Chairman; Mike Holland-Treasurer, Ted Beck-Secretary: Cary Duncan, Chet Dreher-Trustees. They had to set up a budget, draw up by-laws, land acquirement and firement to recruit. Ray Beasley, Carl Wambach, Jim Sparing, Jr, were in charge of recruitment. They delegated three captains to represent various areas. Tom Butler-Colorado Gulch; bob Ganter-Rimini area; Dave Mason-North of U.S. 12. There were many people who did a lot of leg work, door to door visits and trips to the county government to get the department up and running. Dave Leigh, architect, helped the Board of Directors set up loan applications to FHA for the fire department building and trucks. Keith and Mary McAlmond donated the tract of land on which the building stands.
Less than two years later the district had a fire station, pumper truck and tender. As of April 1, 1989, the list of 16 firefighters was comprised of Dan Ashenberg (Buffalo), Dale Buckley, Dan Buckley, Tom Butler, Stan Frasier, Bob Ganter, Butch Kroll, Kathy Kroll, Kelly DeMar, Dave Mason, Doug Powell, Cindy Sparing, Jim Sparing, Carl Wambach, Gil Wolf, and Chris Yahvah.
Gradually, the department acquired a variety of hand tools, back-pack pumps, self contained breathing units and pagers. As the years went on the department has grown in many ways. A medical Quick Response Unit was formed. Butch and Kathy Kroll were the first members. This unit has grown and is adding new members; Cindy Sparing, Clint Loss and Ray Brown, Sr. A defibrillator has also been added to the unit.
In 1997 the department expanded the existing facilities. The new addition has a garage area and an upstairs that has a training room, office and small kitchenette. The small tower is a fire watch area for lightening strikes. Most of the labor was done by the firefighters. Hall Earth Moving donated foundation work. Thanks to Buckley Construction for their time and expertise.
As of 2009, the department fleet consists of, 7 Trucks, 1 QRU, EMS Vehicle and 1 Command truck.
TO BE CONTINUED AND EDITED. NOT FINAL FORMAT
Respectfully submitted
Judy Gleason, Secretary
In 1985 a group of residents along Highway 12 West, got together and started the long hard journey of forming a fire district which we know today as Baxendale Fire District. they encountered many detours on their journey. Gil Wolf, chet Dreher, Kate and John Delano, Cary Duncan, Hike Holland, Ted Beck and many others met weekly for two years to see the project through.
Toward the latter part of June, 1987, the Lewis and Clark County Commission appointed the initial five trustees of the Baxendale Fire District and charged them with creating an operational fire department. The board members were: Gil Wolf-Chairman; Mike Holland-Treasurer, Ted Beck-Secretary: Cary Duncan, Chet Dreher-Trustees. They had to set up a budget, draw up by-laws, land acquirement and firement to recruit. Ray Beasley, Carl Wambach, Jim Sparing, Jr, were in charge of recruitment. They delegated three captains to represent various areas. Tom Butler-Colorado Gulch; bob Ganter-Rimini area; Dave Mason-North of U.S. 12. There were many people who did a lot of leg work, door to door visits and trips to the county government to get the department up and running. Dave Leigh, architect, helped the Board of Directors set up loan applications to FHA for the fire department building and trucks. Keith and Mary McAlmond donated the tract of land on which the building stands.
Less than two years later the district had a fire station, pumper truck and tender. As of April 1, 1989, the list of 16 firefighters was comprised of Dan Ashenberg (Buffalo), Dale Buckley, Dan Buckley, Tom Butler, Stan Frasier, Bob Ganter, Butch Kroll, Kathy Kroll, Kelly DeMar, Dave Mason, Doug Powell, Cindy Sparing, Jim Sparing, Carl Wambach, Gil Wolf, and Chris Yahvah.
Gradually, the department acquired a variety of hand tools, back-pack pumps, self contained breathing units and pagers. As the years went on the department has grown in many ways. A medical Quick Response Unit was formed. Butch and Kathy Kroll were the first members. This unit has grown and is adding new members; Cindy Sparing, Clint Loss and Ray Brown, Sr. A defibrillator has also been added to the unit.
In 1997 the department expanded the existing facilities. The new addition has a garage area and an upstairs that has a training room, office and small kitchenette. The small tower is a fire watch area for lightening strikes. Most of the labor was done by the firefighters. Hall Earth Moving donated foundation work. Thanks to Buckley Construction for their time and expertise.
As of 2009, the department fleet consists of, 7 Trucks, 1 QRU, EMS Vehicle and 1 Command truck.
TO BE CONTINUED AND EDITED. NOT FINAL FORMAT
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