Description and Formation

The infant years and a community supported beginning

The Ebbetts Pass Fire District was formed December 7, 1964, to provide structural fire protection during the winter periods when the local California Division of Forestry station was not staffed.    The Ebbetts Pass Fire District became a legal entity, certified by Mr. Frank M. Jordan, Secretary of State for California, on July 26th, 1965.  

Click on the thumbnail for a larger image of the Districts Charter

Julius Wixon was appointed as the first Volunteer Chief on October 26th, 1965.  Due to the amount of time required to start the Fire District, Julius Wixon annulled his appointment on November 23, 1965 and John George was appointed.

The first fire engine was a 1950 Ford F-6. It was purchased on November 9, 1965 from the California Division of Forestry in Davis, CA for $725.

The District was (and continues to be) governed by a five member Board of Directors.  The first members of the Board were;  Hugh Preston, Ken Emerson, Fred Kern,  Pete Bowman and Gus Gustafson.  The first official Board Meeting was conducted in January 1965.

During the first full year of the Districts infancy, there were 35 incidents.  In 1998, Ebbetts Pass Fire District responded to 649.

On March 22, 1966 Russell Beaty was appointed as the first paid staff member, as the on duty Fire Chief.  The District also purchased a second fire engine.

Click on the thumbnail for a larger image of the 1966 apparatus and personnel

In 1967, the property where the current headquarters station # 1 now resides, was purchased from Tom Wellik.  (Mr. Wellik would later become the first Ebbetts Pass Firefighter's Association Honorary Member.)  The Ebbetts Pass Fire Station # 1 was completed on April 13, 1969.

Click on the thumbnail for a larger image of the Station # 1 dedication day, 1969.

In 1968, Station # 2 in Camp Connell was constructed on land purchased from "Pop" Anderson and Engine 2 was placed in the Camp Connell Battalion.  1968 also saw the purchase of property in Hathaway Pines for a future Station # 3.

Chief Beaty was forced to resign due to heath matters in 1969.  John George again took over the duties until testing could be completed for a full-time Chief.  In July 1970, Don Masters was hired, and after a short probationary period, replaced Chief George as the Full-time paid Chief.

In 1971, Beryl Ledbetter was hired as a firefighter to help provide seven-day-a-week coverage at Station # 1.  Station # 3 in Hathaway Pines was completed.

Early in 1972 the District purchased two Howe fire apparatus, and the fleet of vehicles grew to 6 engines and 1 utility/duty officer pick-up.  A second firefighter was hired in October of 1972.

Click on the thumbnail for a larger image of the 1972 apparatus

1973 saw an endeavor to promote the fire service as a career option, to High School aged kids.   The "Cadet" program was begun, utilizing interested 14 to 18 year old kids who's fathers were members of the volunteer ranks.  They were given the nick name "pump patrol".  Later given the slang nick name "punk patrol".    The kids took it to heart and retained it until the 90's.  This program was headed by Cadet President Kelly Seitz.  Joe Roguski was hired as Deputy Fire Chief on November 15, 1973.   Property for a future Station # 4 was also purchased in 1973.

In 1974 the District Board of Directors adopted the first full fledged Fire Code for the Ebbetts Pass Fire District, Fire Ordinance 74-1.  December 4, 1974 saw the completion and dedication of Station # 4 in Pinebrook.

In 1975 the fire District hired a second firefighter.  The paid staff then was at four.    Seven-day-a-week paid staff coverage, with Station # 1 staffed from 0800 until 1700.  Duty coverage after 1700 hours was split at home (on call) between the paid staff members with one of the officers on call for response to incidents.  The Dedicated volunteers staffed the apparatus during the night time hours.

Growth

Continued Growth

Recent new growth and expansion

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