Anamosa - A Reminiscence 1838 - 1988

Sometime prior to 1931. the city purchased a new fire
truck, on an lntemational chassis. The records are not
clear what hapened to the 1918 Arens-Fox Machine.
After some internal problems in 1935-36, the city
council appointed Ray Carroll as chief. Chris Conrad
was lst assistant chief and W.H "Red" Chipman was
2nd assistant chief.
Ernie Corwin was elected chief in 1937, and served in
that capacity until 1942.
The city acquired a new custom-built fire truck in
1938. It was manufactured by the Perter Pirsch Fire
Equipment Co. This machine incorporated the latest in
fire fighting equipment and proved to be a great asset to
the fire fighting capabilities of the local department.
The Anamosa Rural Fire Association was organized
in 1940. People living in the rural area surrounding
Anamosa recognized the need for equipment and
manpower to fight fires outside the city.
The International fire truck was turned over to the
Rural Association with the agreement it would be
housed in the City Fire Station and manned by
Anamosa firemen. The city had the right to continue to
use the machine to combat city fires.
W.H. "Red" Chipman succeeded Corwin as chief in
1942. He appointed Chris Conrad as 1st assistant chief
and Bill Dorgeloh as 2nd assistant chief.
Several members of the Fire Department were called
to serve their country during World War II. After the
war, these men who wanted to rejoin were
automatically reinstated.
In 1949, the Anamosa Rural Fire Association
purchased a new fire truck. on a Ford chassis, to
replace the old International. This new truck was
available to use at city fires. along with the 1938 Peter
Pirsch.
The first 50 years of the 20th century saw a great
change in the equipment used to fight uncontrolled
fires. The men that served the community so faithfully
endured considerable hardship in the performance of
their duties. Physical stamina and total dedication was
a common mark of these remarkable individuals.
The 1950s began a new era in the history of the
Anamosa Volunteer Fire Department, when a great
deal of emphasis was placed on training and upgrading
of equipment. Fire fighters depended more on selfcontained
breathing apparatus, protective clothing,
better nozzles and hoses, and adequate water supplies.
Chris Conrad, Guy Taylor and Bill Dorgeloh each
served the community as fire chief during the 1950s.
About 1959, the local telephone system converted to
"Dial" operations. This signaled the end of the
telephone operators receiving alarms of fire and
activating the siren that alerted the fireman. Bells were
installed in the homes of members. These bells were
connected by phone lines to the telephone office and
were activated when a fire alarm was received. This
system worked quite satisfactorily for a number of
years.
Bob Lincoln succeeded Bill Dorgeloh as fire chief in
1960.
In 1961, the city purchased a new pumping engine,
on a Chevrolet chassis. It was painted white, which was
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This photo was taken in 1964. Pictured, standing on
the ground. left to right, Bob Lincoln, Bob Miller, Bill
Jensen, Bill Rosencrans, Lyle Russell, Gerhard Kray.
Ivan Eden, Bud Norton. John Westphal, Don Brady.
Russ Ellison, Henry Caspers. On the truck, left to
right, Dean Ricklefs, “Red" Campbell, Nick Nassif.
Guy Taylor. Chet Ellison. Jacy Byers, Harold Huston
and Milt Meeks. (Photo submitted by the Anamosa
Fire Department)