History

In the early years of Chippewa Falls, the city prospered from a huge logging industry, the largest sawmill in the world and a booming commercial district. These wood related industries brought with them the risk of very destructive fires. Citizens and city officials concluded that there was a great need for an organized fire department. In 1870, the first fire department was organized when 25 volunteers signed up. On November 1, 1870, city bonds totaling $5,000.00 were issued to purchase a fire engine. Shortly thereafter, a Silsby steam rotary engine arrived. Named the "James A. Taylor" after the chief engineer of the department, who was also the first mayor of Chippewa Falls, the pumper began to serve the needs of the fire department. By 1876, the department had an engine company housed at 308 Bay Street and a hook and ladder company housed at the city hall. In 1892, the department was reorganized to form a full-time, paid, professional fire department. A second horse drawn steamer was purchased in 1883.

 

 

Past Fire Chiefs
Fire Chief	Tenure
James A. Bates	1870 - 1877
Emeroy D. Stanley	1877 - 1883
Joseph Durch	1883 - 1887
Albert Pierce	1887 - 1890
Orland Kibbe	1890 - 1905
Joseph Meuli	1905 - 1923
Charles Brecke	1923 - 1933
Thomas (Harry) Farsworth	1933 - 1944
Norman Hanson	1944 - 1949
William Huber	1949 - 1953
Edward Kalk Sr.	1953 - 1969
Orrin J. lambert	1969 - 1972
George L. Anderson	1972 - 1977
Harold Martin	1977 - 1978
Edward W. Mishefske	1978 - 2002
Thomas K. Larson	2002 - 2014
Michael Hepfler	2014 - 2019
Lee Douglas	2019 - Current