Hungry Horse news. [volume] (Columbia Falls, Mont.) 1948-current, 1955-10-07
Falls Fiiremen Seek Equipment Funds
by Mrs. GLADYS Shay

Nine years ago in Columbia Falls.
residents were amused watching
boys on bicycles race the Thomas
Flyer 1912 fire truck-and the boys
sometimes won. It wasn't inefficient
firemen; rather, the truck was OBJ
stinate and it is said wouldn't start
unless pushed for several blocks by
energetic firemen.
Today, "a active, volunteer, fire.
men have set a record for fast ar
rival at fires. They save homes and
not just foundations. Columbia Falls
has No. z fire rating good for a
city of this size. 1t makes it poss-
ible for lower fire insurance rates
for residents.
DRIVE UNDERWAY
Now being mailed are letters to
residents, asking for financial help.
Contributions received will be used
to purchase needed equipment dur
ing the year. This includes hose,
fittings, nozzles-items which in.
crease the departments efficiency
as well as maintain present equip
ment. Last years donations Of
81, 446.75 also were used to purchase
masks. There were first letters ever
mailed in conjunction with a fire.
mems drive for funds.
Total damage during 1854 from
fires was $16,927.5O. Largest was
City Cleaners fire. Fire loss in Col
umbia Falls during 1858 was rec
ord low of $175. Only one truck il
permitted to leave the city limits
There is a Dodge made locally init
a fire truck, and a 1912 Ford tina
was actually a fire truck and pur
chased as war surplus late in 1916.
FIRE DRILLS
During the past months, firemel
have been holding drills during eacl
month. Two weeks ago, Frank Holl
enback of the state fire marshall
office, Helena, conducted a schot
of instruction. All phases of fir
fighting were taught.
| During the spring, firemen hav
assisted residents with burning {
vacant lots and grass. In additio
to answering fire calls, they ar
trained in resuscitator use. A fire
man-sponsored dance raised fund
for a resuscitator for Columbi
Falls.
! Firemen meet fourth Thursday
in their resusitator room in the cit
hall. Room currently is a brilliar
chartreuse, with touches, of fir
; truck red, of course. One meeting
year the past two years has bee
dedicated to redecorating their NEE
ing room with resultant good chez
Social activity is the annual Fir
mans ball, held during March wit
) a St. Patrick's theme. The public
: invited to this and cautioned to us
: unusual care to prevent early NOR
: ing after fires.
{ Columbia Falls fire chief is HOY
ard Greene, with Darwin Lundstror
assistant chief. President of Il
: firemen is Al Reid, with Bill Re
= secretary, and Roy Anders, treasu
er since 1914. Directors are Bud Da
ling, E. j. Lundstrom, Elwyn Mat
/ ka, Bill Nadeau, and Dean Harriso
> Other department members are TIE
: dy Andrew, Clarence Clapper, D
J, Davall, Lee Dickey, Dulane Fulto
, AL Greene, Bert Hill, Cecil HudsC
= !. Chef Hill, Art Lyngstad, Don Luz
= ford, Vic Nadeau, Lawrence Rue
;. Charlie Ritter, AL Shay, Bill Smi
: Tom Smith and Gus Sonnenberg.
= Local firemen don't receive ps
- There are, however, three retir
men who served 20 years in the
partment. They are w. A. Bo
Dwight Grist, and L. A. Schot
berg, who receive small pensic
from the fire department retirem'
m fund.
la They may be awakened at a
Mt hour-called from their jobs q
X minute-but when the fire Sill
y, blows, there's no hesitation. It's
c. residents dollar donation that pun
as the water, provides adequate no
C. and perhaps saves his own hol
from fires damage.