Welcome to the Home Page of the
Arvada Fire Department Retired Members
Biography Page
HISTORY:
Our organization is made up of people who have served and retired in the fire service for the community of Arvada, Colorado. Volunteer fire service in Arvada dates back to the beginning of the department in the early 1900s, when an attempt was made by a band of citizens to protect the village from fire. In 1911, the town fathers organized the group for fire protection with hand-pulled carts. However, this group disbanded and a new attempt was undertaken in 1923 that formed the Arvada Volunteer Fire Department. The organization flourished to become the largest volunteer fire department west of the Mississippi, with 212 members operating 8 fire stations, 30 pieces of equipment, and a training center. The Arvada Fire Protection District was formed in 1949, and as the Fire District grew to a population of the current 120,000, and as many members retired over the years, it became a career organization.
The Arvada Fire Department Retired Members organization began 16 years ago. Our meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month at 12:00 noon. We meet at the Arvada Elks Lodge, 5700 Yukon Street. We are supported by a very modest budget of the Arvada Fire Protection District, as well as beneficiary donations and sale of monument pavers.
Our main objective is service to the Arvada community through the preservation of the department’s history, together with a continuing of comradeship and welfare of those who served.
Some of our projects have included the annual dinner for department retired and vested members and their spouses. On occasion, guest speakers are invited to our meetings to help keep current fire fighting activities. Baskets of fruit, flowers, and get-well cards go out to members and their families during illness or for death. Our members have participated in several parades, including the annual Arvada Festival Parade. Our organization initiated the Department’s Honor Guard in 1999, and they continue to represent the fire service well. We have established an e-mail system to assist in communication flow to all our members and friends. Annual customized calendars containing historical pictures are presented to the membership. Biographies of retired members are posted on the Fire District’s website with more to be added . Several articles produced by our members have appeared in the city publication “The Arvada Report”. Our most recent projects have been the naming of a city park, Arvada Volunteer Firefighters Park, as well as a monument representing the legacy of the volunteer fire department. We are currently contemplating other projects to preserve historical appreciation of the contribution of the fire department to the Arvada community.
This park is named in honor of those who served in the Arvada Volunteer Fire Department since its inception. The park consists of 11 ½ acres, including hiking trails, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, kiddies’ playground, and picnic area, and is adjacent to Fire Station 7.
The monument and walkway are dedicated to the spirit of volunteerism of the Arvada firefighter. The brick walkway contains the names of many Arvada volunteer firefighters, and leads to a 9 ½ foot stone structure resting on a 20'x20' Firefighters Cross-shaped flagstone base.
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In the beginning... |
Placing Caissons |
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Setting base and walkway |
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Constructing flagstone and walkway |
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Placing the monument |
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Monument Construction |
Finished Product |
The committee |
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Dedication |
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For further information, contact us at 303-420-4725, or e-mail us at Frank@afdretmem.com or write us at:
Arvada Fire Department Retired Members
6503 Simms Street
Arvada 80004
Agency