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Fire Reserve
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1951 - Delores Webb, Red McKee and Bill Webb.
December 1972 - Icy work for volunteers.
October 1976 - Sheri Luper working at 909 W. Douglas.
Fire Reserve Engine with Merle Antisdel, Maurice "Bud" Bales, and Ross Smith.
1978 - Old timers of Fire Reserves.
1978 - Fire Reserve (part of Civil Preparedness Unit).
1978 - Heavy Rescue Unit (part of Civil Preparedness Unit).
1978 - Underwater Recovery Unit (part of Civil Preparedness Unit).
| During the years of World War II, the country was busy preparing for the invasion that many were sure would come. Shelters were built, and police and fire auxiliaries were started in the city. Training was provided at each fire station, with the station captain in charge. It could be said, that each station had its own auxiliary. In September of 1942, the auxiliary fire service gave its first public review. Two hundred men, training since February of that year, met at No. 9 station where they put on a show for the public. Ross Smith, Fred Weber, and Frank Dando from this early group are still with the reserve.
In 1950 the auxiliary came under the direction of Civil Defense, managed by Harrie Mueller. Training was still being held in different stations around town, but the auxiliary now had its first chief, Red McKee. Harold Cox followed Red, and then Ross Smith. Each of these men were to continue the programs carried on with the City Fire Department. Merle Antisdel, assistant chief under Ross Smith, was one of the primary people in organizing the County Fire Reserve, giving us the two units that make up today's auxiliary.
In 1957, arrangements were made with the City Fire Department to have their training division take over training and teach each reserve member the same skills as were taught a rookie firemen. It was felt this would provide better qualified men working with greater safety alongside the regular department. Don Anderson became the fourth chief of the Fire Reserve, and when he resigned to enter city government, Maurice "Bud" Bales was appointed. Under Bud's direction, the reserve grew and became a relied on, working asset to the city firemen. Upon the death of Bales, Phillip Wells was appointed chief, with Swede Olson as his assistant. These men were to manage an even larger organization with changes in City and County working relations.
In 1977 the Wichita Fire Reserve and the Sedgwick County Fire Reserve merged. The combined force now totals 41 members. Bob Martin, chief of the County Reserve, along with David Martin and Robert Pippins, assisted in the smooth transfer to one Fire Reserve. The new reserve has been placed under the office of Civil Preparedness with Director Gene Beaver.
Reserve training is still handled by the Wichita Fire Department Training Division and is held at the city's training ground, directed by Chief Walter Campbell and Captain Wayne Avery. The Fire Reserve headquarters is located at 31st and Oliver, next to the training grounds.
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Related to 13 - Divisions and Organizations (1978) |
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