Arvada Fire Protection District history

A group of volunteers known as the Arvada Fire Company was established early in 1908.

On May 10, 1910, the town board authorized the purchase of Arvada's first hand-drawn fire hose carts.

Klumker served as AFD's chief until April 21, 1913, at which time Arthur Kaler was elected chief.

One of the first significant fires to occur during Richter's term broke out on September 15, 1914.

On March 1st, 1915, the Town Board granted the department the use of a meeting room in the Town Hall, and a room to store the fire department’s equipment.

The department was reorganized on October 29th, 1917.

The 1923 engine was equipped with chemical tanks, and a supply of two and one-half inch hose.

In August of 1924 a friction again between the department and the Town Board with a lack of cooperation.

In 1932 the residents of the rural district surrounding Arvada, voted to purchase a pumper to better serve the area that water was available only in irrigation ditches, canals, lakes and wells.

The board's first meeting was held on May 24, 1949.

1953 also marked the district's first employment contract.

Chief Sedlmayr was regarded as "one of Arvada's most dedicated public officials" in a newspaper article published in 1967 near the end of his 16-year term.

The new siren was mounted on a wooden tower at the rear of the Town Hall, which was located at 7622 Grandview Ave, which it remained in service until the police department moved in their new building in 1972.

John Dienst, Lynn Sellers, Terry Hoy, Sam Gillan and Bob White each served as fire chief during the 1980's.

On January 24, 1994, AFD firefighters rescued 36-year-old Manuel Herrera and his sons, 7-month-old Sean and 2 -year-old Manuel Jr., from their burning third-floor apartment at 6429 Quail St All three sustained critical burns and were unconscious when firefighters arrived.