City of Iowa City history

The roots of the department go back to 1842, three years after the founding of Iowa City and four years before Iowa's statehood.

The development of Coralville began after the 1843 construction of what was then the largest dam in Iowa along the Iowa River and the mills that eventually made use of the dam’s power.

There had actually been laws preventing fire fighters from one city associating with firefighters from another in the 1850's and 60's due to perceived rowdiness on the part of the firemen.

The Iowa City Fire Company #1 was equipped with the items that the marshal bought in 1854.

As a result, the Iowa City Fire Company #1 was formed on October 26, 1855.

They may also have had a hand engine because on August 11, 1856, the council recommended the expenditure of three hundred dollars for the purchase of a fire engine.

An early engraving of the bank appears along the margin of an 1859 map of Johnson County.

In 1861, in response to a fire that burned most of the buildings on Dubuque Street between Iowa Avenue and Washington Street, the city council passed an "Ordinance to Establish Fire Companies in Iowa City." The council also authorized the purchase of equipment for the fire fighters.

In 1872, again in response to a March fire that destroyed the famous Clinton House Hotel, the Council agreed to purchase $500 worth of fire fighting gear, including hook and ladder equipment and some buckets.

By its 1873 incorporation, Coralville’s population had grown to almost 300 and operated a blacksmith shop, wagon shop, meat market, lumberyard and dry goods store.

1 was the first, formed on June 18, 1879.

On March 8, 1881 the Sawyer Hose Company No.

A slightly different type of company was formed on December 5, 1883 when the Clark Engine Company disbanded and reorganized as the Iowa City Fire Police.

On March 8, 1884 the Alert Hose Company No.

In 1890 the Iowa State Legislature passed a law allowing second-class cities (those with a population between 2,000 and 15,000) to levy a tax "for the purpose of maintaining a Fire Department." As a result, the city was able to purchase more and better equipment.

An entry in the 1891 city directory lists five fire companies and their strength: Fire Police, 15; Sawyer Hose, 25; Hook & Ladder, 40; Alert, 30; and Protection Engine, 40.

The Relief Hose Company Number 2 of Summit Hill, was organized on January 8, 1895.

On Saturday, June 19, 1897, the Iowa City Fire Department lost its first fire fighter in the line of duty.

By 1900, all of the mills had closed and the Iowa City Electric Company had acquired all the waterpower of the dam.

The first was the purchase of a motorized 1912 Seagrave fire truck on January 13.

James Clark, then the chief of the volunteer department, was hired as the paid chief. It is unclear from contemporary records whether they started work then or if their appointments were effective January 1, 1913.

Records of the Iowa City Fire Police and the Central Hose Company ceased in 1915.

Laboratory Schools of the University of Iowa, elementary and secondary schools founded in Iowa City in 1916 to experiment with curriculum development and to serve as model schools for Iowa.

Throughout the 1920's additional fire fighters were hired.

Records exist for the Rescue Hook and Ladder Company until August 8, 1921.

A second piece of motorized apparatus was purchased on October 8, 1922.

In 1925 Snow Ball and High Ball were put out to pasture at a farm near Solon.

By 1926 there were seven fire fighters on the payroll.

On July 14, 1929 the Alert Hose House on North Linn finally closed.

There were 7 fire fighters in 1930.

Local 610 of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) was organized in Iowa City on February 7, 1939.

Johnson County History: Compiled and written by the Iowa Writers' Program of the Works Progress Administration (1941) Iowa Writer's Program

In 1947 fire fighters were given one Kelley Day for each 16 days worked.

Less than a year later the department took delivery of an American LaFrance Ladder Truck on July 6, 1948.

The new ladder truck was difficult to get into and out of the 70-year-old fire station. As a result, Station #2 was opened on January 13, 1949.

The population of Coralville grew to 977 in 1950.

In 1952 the Kelley Day was one day in 12 worked.

In 1957 a new engine was purchased, a Peter Pirsch.

The fire department managed to prevent any more fires in their new quarters and remained in that building until 1961.

By 1964 fire fighters got one Kelley Day for every eight days of work.

In fact, records exist of payment to volunteer fire fighters as late as 1965.

The Johnson County Historical Society, founded in Iowa City in 1967, has proudly taken care of Iowa City’s history and historic sites, which include Plum Grove and the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm.

The increases were due to the opening of Station #2 August 23, 1968.

In 1970 the department took delivery of an American LaFrance 100 foot Aerial Ladder Truck.

More fire fighters were hired to staff another firehouse, Station #3, which opened on February 12, 1972.

On August 18, 1977 there was a much more important change in the make up of the Iowa City Fire Department.

The American Fire Service as a whole began changing focus in the 1980's.

Another national trend that started in the 80's was the hiring of "Outside Chiefs". Iowa City hired our first chief from "the outside" on February 17, 1986.

By 2000, the city had established its own police and fire departments, and built a community center and administration building to serve a population of over 5,000.

The first increases in staffing in thirty years happened in July 2001 when six firefighters were hired in anticipation of the opening of a fourth station.

Additional personnel were hired in 2011 to complete staffing upgrades for Fire Station 4, which was also opened that year.