Page 74 - History of the Colton Fire Department

John Lodarski in the Firemans
jump seat on 431 in the 1970’s.
The Uniforms were gray and be-
fore the numbering system had
changed to 211. This would also
be the last manual shift engine that
Colton would purchase. It was a
monster clutch to drive.

A 1957 squad pulling out of the side door
of station 1. In the 2009 remodle, this is
between the new kitchen and dorm.

Dewaye Bowelman in the ra-
dio room in the 1960’s. Colton
once did it’s own dispatching
like most other departments
before the 911 system went into
complete effect.. We had a local
Gamwell pull system and a lo-
cal emergency number. Marcia
Shipley was hired in 1966 as a
Dispatcher / Clerk. One of the
firemen would usually dispatch
but Marcia would take over
when they had to leave.

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