Over 75 Years of Tradition

Over 75 Years of Tradition

By Chris Chan

The legacy of Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue

Coupeville, located on Whidbey Island, or Whidby as it was called for decades is the Island County seat and second oldest town in the state of Washington. Fire protection for the town and prairie’s surrounding Coupeville was the responsibility of the Coupeville Fire Brigade until 1928 when the department made the transition to a fire department. The first Chief of the Department, Chas Ruthford was elected from a public meeting and appointed were: G.W Hesselgrave, assistant fire chief. Les Miller, Captain of the Hose Company and Wallace Benson, Captain of the Hook and Ladder Company.

In 1929 the hose wagon and equipment was stored at the headquarters on Front Street and was replaced in 1930 by a fire hose cart which was mounted on automobile chassis which is towed by any car with top speed up to 65 miles per hour. The cart was moved to the fire shed in 1932 located on Alexander Street. Regular meetings were held at the City Library.

In 1934 towing the fire equipment was deemed unsuitable so the department decided to purchase the first official “truck” a 1926 Packard chassis for around $125. This Truck, like the one below was converted to a fire truck and stored in the fire shed located on Alexander Street.

•In 1939 Chief Al Sorgenfrei oversaw the construction of a new 2 story fire hall. The station was built where the old fire shed was -across the street from the blockhouse. (below left).

In 1939 a joint agreement was reached with the Coupeville Volunteer Fire Chief Elinga and Lt. Pinnick of Fort Casey. The agreement was that CVFD would get Fort Casey’s engine provided that CVFD responded to all fire alarms at Ft Casey. Also in 1939, firefighter Ralph Havenstein was given permission to live upstairs in the living quarters of the fire station.

•In 1941 the CVFD voted to assume the responsibility of acting as air-raid wardens and taking care of the black-outs for the town.

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In 1948 the town council and fire department put away their differences on which pump unit to select and accepted the low bid of Howard Cooper Corporation ($4233 + tax). Voting on the chassis they unanimously accepted the bid of Dean Motor Company ($1,774.55)

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Although there was much talk in the middle 1940’s about the need for rural fire protection, Island County Fire District # 5 was not formed until 1953

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In 1953 the Greenbank Fire Station was built and over the years ICFD#5 grew to six stations with stations being built at Lagoon Point, Admirals cove and Bon Air.

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In 1964 this Ford Engine was added to ICFD#5

In the late 1970’s ICFD#5 Fire District #5 became involved in Emergency Medical Services. First Responders/EMT’s responded in “David 1” The district’s first medical/rescue Truck.

In 1986 ICFD#5 purchased two new Darley Fire Engines. These were the first Fire engines in the county to have jump seats in the cab for Firefighters to ride in. Gone were the days of tailboard riding.

In 1990 ICFD#5 hired Joe Biller as their first full time paid chief

In 1992 ICFD#5 build a new headquarters station on Race Road.

In 1997 Fire District #5 purchased two new Central States fire engines from General Fire Apparatus

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In 1998 a basic life support ambulance was added to

In a joint venture with Whidbey General Hospital.

Also in 1998, ICFD#5 incorporated the Coupeville Fire

Department and was renamed Central Whidbey

Fire and Rescue