:: Our History ::
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
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
Record of Chiefs
| Building the station May 13, 1959 |
| 1949 Ford on the right |
| Central Orchard Mesa Fire House |
C.P. Muhr April 1959 - May 1962
Bert Hetherington May 1962 - December 1966
Earl DuBose January 1967 - April 1985
Tom Kirkpatrick April 1985 -
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
Bert Hetherington May 1962 - December 1966
Earl DuBose January 1967 - April 1985
Tom Kirkpatrick April 1985 -
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
| Left to Right: 1963 FWD, 1949 Ford, 1959 FWD |
:: Central Orchard Mesa Volunteer Fire Department::
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