Served and Protected: 1924-1953
In 1924, the department faced yet another reorganization. The reorganized department operated under Chief Ira "Dutch" Winger for the next 14 years. Winger and many other Arvada firefighters were employed by the Arvada Electric Company. During Winger's term, the department evolved from hand-drawn to motorized fire apparatus.
Arvada's first motorized fire engine was a 1923 Graham Brothers chemical engine purchased in Denver from the Julius Pearce Fire Supply Company. The "Old Dodge", as it has been dubbed by firefighters, can still be seen traveling the streets of Arvada, although its use is restricted to parades and other special events.
Arvada's first ambulance began operating in 1939 under the jurisdiction of the Wilmore-Richter American Legion Post No. 161. The fire department acquired the ambulance in 1947 and began providing first-aid and rescue services to the Arvada community.
Two years later, local citizens went to the polls and approved the formation of the Arvada Fire Protection District. The formation transferred control and financing of the department from the Arvada City Council to a board of directors consisting of five elected officials. The first members of the board were Thomas C. Lively, Alvin E. Stout, Paul Harkness, Benton G. Kinkel and Albert Jeronimus. The board's first meeting was held on May 24, 1949.
Five men served as fire chief between the end of Dutch Winger's term in 1938 and the beginning of Fred "Fritz" Sedlmayr's term in 1951. The five men were Benton Kinkel, Sr. (1938-39 and 1944-45), Ed Doane (1939-1940), Bill Richter (1940-41), Nick Skinner, Sr. (1941-44 and 1948-51), and W.H. "Nick" Nicholas (1945-48).
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