History

In 1921 the first motorized pumper was purchased a 1921 Stutz with a 750 gallon per minute rotary pump and a 150 gallon booster tank this replaced the Seagraves chemical engine also in 1921 a fifth pain fireman was hired. In 1928 the Stutz was no longer operable due to mechanical problems and was replaced by a 1928 Mack 1000 GPM pumper with a centrifugal pump.

In 1931 Chief Ringold retired and was replaced by Calvin Hanlon who serves about a year and in 1932 in replaced by William “Blacky” Batchelor who serves for 35 years. In 1936 a GMC 500 GPM pumper was purchased which was built by Howard Cooper of Walla Walla.

In 1942 the bell alarms are replaced by three sirens located at city hall, Round-Up grounds and the VFW hall. In 1947 three new trucks are purchased from the federal government, two 500 GPM pumpers and a International high pressure truck also an 85 foot aerial ladder truck is ordered.  In 1948 the alarm sirens are replaced by air horns.

In 1950 a Pirsch aerial ladder is delivered with a cost of $24,000, in 1954 a Federal 750 GPM pumper was purchased and in 1956 a rescue truck was purchased. In 1959 a new fire station was built at 911 SW Court, this station is still in use today and serves as the main station and headquarters of the fire department with the opening of the new station several new firefighters were hired

In 1960 a Cardox crash truck is purchased for aircraft fires and the first fire department radio system is purchased it has one base station and receivers in the firefighter’s homes.  In 1967 Chief Batchelor retires and is replaced by Virgil “Butch” Boyd.

In 1972 after a fatal house fire Station #2 is built at 1200 Southgate and the department becomes the Pendleton Fire and Ambulance Department also in 1972 a new fire engine is purchased.

In 1980 Chief Boyd retires and is replaced by R.D. Hopper. In 1985/86 two new 1500 GPM Seagraves pumpers are purchased these engines are still in service as reserve trucks in 2012. In 1986 a 1976 Seagraves aerial was purchased from Oak Ridge and was in service until 2005 when the current aerial was purchased.

In 1998 Chief Hopper officially retired but served for several months until John Fowler was hired as Chief in 2000. Chief Fowler served until 2010 and Gary Woodson was hired in November 2010 as Chief and served until 2014 when Jason Walker was hired. I

Material for this glimpse of history was contributed by Ret. Captain Randy Wells.

The Pendleton Fire and Ambulance Department responds to many events each year (see the Call Statistics page for details), but here’s a list of a few significant events from our history:

• 1866 Hotel burns at Swift & Marshall station
• 1871 Pendleton’ s first newspaper is destroyed by fire.
• 1872 IOOF Hall burns
• 1886 Liberty Hall burns
• 1889 East Oregonian Building burned, $8000 damages.
• 1893 Villard Hotel at south Main and Court street burns
• 1894 Webfoot Saloon Burns
• 1897 Byers Flour Mill burns at SE Court and 4th, $200,000 in damages.
• 1899 Golden Rule Hotel burns
• 1920’s Meat packing house burns at 1800 Westgate.
• 1940’s Round Up grandstands burn one month before Round Up.
• 1943 Walter’s Flour Mill burns on NW Carden and 14th.
• 1947 Byers/Western Milling flour mill burns, entire block lost between SE Court and SE Dorian and between SE 4th and Se 5th.
• 1956 St. Joseph Academy burns near Saint Anthony Hospital
• 1958 Walter’s mill warehouse burns at NW Carden and 14th
• 1960 Stangier Building & Opera House burns at 100 block Se Court.
• October 5, 1969 Ranch Club at 1114 SW Court burns
• July 7, 1971 Arrow Chevrolet burns in the 300 block of SE Court Ave.
• 1971 PGG grain elevator and shop burns across from Pendleton flour mills.
• September 1973 Hill meat burns at Sw 27th and Southgate
• September 17, 1972 Allied Seed burns to the ground on Rieth road.
• August 3, 1973 Horse barn burns at Round Up grounds
• 1980’s Holiday House Café burns across from Saint Anthony Hospital.
• Mid 1990’s Bowling Alley
• 1999 Woolworth Building burns on Main Street
• 1999 Roesch building and Raphael’s burns on SE 3rd between Dorian and Court.
• 1999 Dust storm on I84 caused major pile up which killed many people.
• February 11, 2006 Fatal explosion at General Aircraft
• March 15, 2007 Eagles fire burns on SE Frazier from Main to SE 1st.
• September 18, 2008 Grass fire started by a train near Birch Creek road and Umatilla River , heavy winds blew the fire to McKay Creek neighborhood.
• July 2011 Dobbins-Hart chemical/hazmat fire at the airport
• July 2012 Grass fire starts on the north side of Brentwood/South Hill Apartment and strong wind blows the fire south starting two 8 unit buildings on fire.
• October 2012 Vandals burn the favorite Pioneer Park wooden castle playground.
• December 2012 Tour Bus carrying 47 passengers rolls on top of cabbage hill