In May of 1958, after countless meetings and legal proceedings, a group of progressive thinking landowners finalized the
plan for the Central Orchard Mesa Fire Protection District. In September of that same year, two tracts of land were offered
up for the new firehouse, one by Bert Hetherington and one by Harold Ford. In January 1959 a decision was made to
accept the Ford property and the land was donated to the District and registered at the February 26, 1959 Fire Protection Board business meeting.
During that same meeting a decision was made to purchase a 1949 Ford Pumper for $2,350.00. This offer was turned down, and on April 28, 1959
a second offer of $2,450.00 was accepted and the first Engine 51 was purchased.
In March of 1959 work began on the new station by fire department volunteers and community members. The first Fire Protection Board Meeting was
held in the new station on September 15, 1959. Through the following years, the Board of Directors managed to pay off a $6,000.00 bond, acquire
needed equipment, and purchase a siren for the station that would act as a “paging” system for calls. When the fire department was needed for a
call, a member would arrive at the station and activate the siren that was located outside. The distinctive sound would notify members, who were
primarily orchard owners and farmers, that they were needed for a call. This system used in conjunction with a “phone-tree” was the paging system
for the department until the mid 1970’s.
On May 22, 1962 the first Fire Department Appreciation Banquet was held. On September 10, 1963 the Fire Protection Board of Directors entered into
negotiations with Harold Ford to purchase Lot 7 that adjoined the fire house for a sum of $250.00. Remodeling began on the station and with the
exception of a few modifications, this is the same station used today.
January 31, 1964, Chief Hetherington asked the Fire Protection Board to purchase shirts for the firefighters with the name of the Department on the
back and the firefighters name on the front. These were the first shirts with a common dress code for the department. On August 6, 1966 the Fire
Protection Board purchased the first badges for the firefighters at a cost of $3.50 each. Also in August of 1966, the Board signed its first Mutual Aid
Agreement.
On November 9, 1973, Grand Junction Fire Chief R.T. Mantlo came to the Fire Protection Board and explained the new communication notification
system that was to be installed throughout the Grand Valley. One central phone number will be used to report emergencies. This phone number will
be manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the Grand Junction Police Department free of charge. When an emergency call was received, the
appropriate Fire Department would be notified by small radio units carried by fire department personnel. These units were called Page Boys, and
cost $250.00 each. The District purchased 3 Page Boys, with 6 more purchased in March of 1975.
Over the years the face of the District has changed, new roads have been built, large parcels of land have been divided and the population has
grown. As the District has changed, so has the Fire Service and the Central Orchard Mesa Volunteer Fire Department has adapted to the times.
Historically the Department has always provided First Response medical care and in March of 2005 licensed an ambulance for transports. In 2005
the Department of Homeland Security awarded the Central Orchard Mesa Fire Protection District a grant for a new engine and in February of 2006 the
Districts first brand new engine was put in service, a 2005 American La France.
Excerpts taken from Chief Gitchell's Speech
February 2006 Banquet
plan for the Central Orchard Mesa Fire Protection District. In September of that same year, two tracts of land were offered
up for the new firehouse, one by Bert Hetherington and one by Harold Ford. In January 1959 a decision was made to
accept the Ford property and the land was donated to the District and registered at the February 26, 1959 Fire Protection Board business meeting.
During that same meeting a decision was made to purchase a 1949 Ford Pumper for $2,350.00. This offer was turned down, and on April 28, 1959
a second offer of $2,450.00 was accepted and the first Engine 51 was purchased.
In March of 1959 work began on the new station by fire department volunteers and community members. The first Fire Protection Board Meeting was
held in the new station on September 15, 1959. Through the following years, the Board of Directors managed to pay off a $6,000.00 bond, acquire
needed equipment, and purchase a siren for the station that would act as a “paging” system for calls. When the fire department was needed for a
call, a member would arrive at the station and activate the siren that was located outside. The distinctive sound would notify members, who were
primarily orchard owners and farmers, that they were needed for a call. This system used in conjunction with a “phone-tree” was the paging system
for the department until the mid 1970’s.
On May 22, 1962 the first Fire Department Appreciation Banquet was held. On September 10, 1963 the Fire Protection Board of Directors entered into
negotiations with Harold Ford to purchase Lot 7 that adjoined the fire house for a sum of $250.00. Remodeling began on the station and with the
exception of a few modifications, this is the same station used today.
January 31, 1964, Chief Hetherington asked the Fire Protection Board to purchase shirts for the firefighters with the name of the Department on the
back and the firefighters name on the front. These were the first shirts with a common dress code for the department. On August 6, 1966 the Fire
Protection Board purchased the first badges for the firefighters at a cost of $3.50 each. Also in August of 1966, the Board signed its first Mutual Aid
Agreement.
On November 9, 1973, Grand Junction Fire Chief R.T. Mantlo came to the Fire Protection Board and explained the new communication notification
system that was to be installed throughout the Grand Valley. One central phone number will be used to report emergencies. This phone number will
be manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the Grand Junction Police Department free of charge. When an emergency call was received, the
appropriate Fire Department would be notified by small radio units carried by fire department personnel. These units were called Page Boys, and
cost $250.00 each. The District purchased 3 Page Boys, with 6 more purchased in March of 1975.
Over the years the face of the District has changed, new roads have been built, large parcels of land have been divided and the population has
grown. As the District has changed, so has the Fire Service and the Central Orchard Mesa Volunteer Fire Department has adapted to the times.
Historically the Department has always provided First Response medical care and in March of 2005 licensed an ambulance for transports. In 2005
the Department of Homeland Security awarded the Central Orchard Mesa Fire Protection District a grant for a new engine and in February of 2006 the
Districts first brand new engine was put in service, a 2005 American La France.
Excerpts taken from Chief Gitchell's Speech
February 2006 Banquet
Building the station
May 13, 1959
May 13, 1959
1949 Ford on the right
Central Orchard Mesa Fire House
Left to Right: 1963 FWD,
1949 Ford, 1959 FWD
1949 Ford, 1959 FWD
| ::Central Orchard Mesa Volunteer Fire Department:: |
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| Our History |
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C.P. Muhr
April 1959 - May 1962
Bert Hetherington
May 1962- December 1966
Earl DuBose
January 1967-April 1985
Tom Kirkpatrick
April 1985-May 1989
William Bapst
July 1989- July 1993
Kent Harmon
September 1993 - January 1995
Dave Larsen
April 1995–December 2004
Tim Cooper
April 2005–March 2006
Dave Gitchell
April 2006 - Current
April 1959 - May 1962
Bert Hetherington
May 1962- December 1966
Earl DuBose
January 1967-April 1985
Tom Kirkpatrick
April 1985-May 1989
William Bapst
July 1989- July 1993
Kent Harmon
September 1993 - January 1995
Dave Larsen
April 1995–December 2004
Tim Cooper
April 2005–March 2006
Dave Gitchell
April 2006 - Current
Record of Chiefs
Our History
Grand Junction, Colorado, 81503