| DEPARTMENT HISTORY | |
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The Chowchilla Volunteer Fire Department began operating as an organized department on November 18, 1926 under the direction of Fire Chief Ray Strope when the first set of by-laws were drafted. It is unknown how many years the department operated prior to its official organization. The newly formed department had one fire engine believed to be a hand-me-down from Madera County. It has been said that the standard operating procedure at the time was to drive the fire engine to the fire and park it. The firefighters would then run into the building and remove as much furniture as possible before the roof would cave in, then exit the building any way possible (door or window). Ray Strope, as believed, was the first Fire Chief of the Chowchilla Volunteer Fire Department followed by Boyd Burch, Dee Taylor, Cecil Murrain, Paul Allen, Frank Borba, Dean Kammerdiener, Frank Borba (2nd term), Jeeter Carr, and current Fire Chief Harry Turner. The longest term to date for any Fire Chief in Chowchilla was held by Cecil Murrain, who held the position for 24 years. The most years of service by any one volunteer in this department is over 59 years, served by former Fire Chief Frank Borba, who has been with this department since 1950. Frank is still a very active and vital member of the department. |
