Inverness
California
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The Inverness Volunteer Fire Department
The Inverness Volunteer Fire Department was founded in 1947 as a result of a house fire on the Inverness Mesa that resulted in a fatality.The Inverness Fire Department has had only five chiefs in its 58-year history: Gordon L. Buck, I. C. Reid, Richard Graveson (1956-1981), Michael M. Meszaros (1981- 2001), and James K. Fox (2001 - present). Volunteers are local residents who feel the need to "give something back" to the community. Membership in the Fire Department has always come from a diverse range of fields and backrounds. While they all are volunteers, firefighters are aware that by joining they are making a certain time and energy commitment, which they dutifully fulfill and then some. This usually involves a juggling of schedules, especially for those who are parents. The "core" firefighters are also employees of the Inverness Water System, making them available for a quick response time.
In 1954, the need for a firehouse was recognized by the community, and a bond measure was passed to fund the construction of a firehouse at its current site. A second- story office area was added on in 1991.
Our first fire engine was actually a converted gasoline tank truck, donated by an oil company. It was kept in a garage near downtown. Early fire apparatus included an old Seagrave pumper and a converted Army 6x6. We currently run a 1979 Ford/VanPelt Type I engine, a 1986 Ford/Beck Type I engine, a rescue/medical squad (due to be replaced in 2005), a utility squad, and a 1998 Jeep Cherokee as a command vehicle.
Originally, firefighters were dispatched via a large bell (still mounted on the west wall of the Firehouse) which would be rung to signal an emergency. Later, as Inverness grew a bit, a siren was used. In the late 70's and early 80's, "firephones" were installed in officers' houses, and they took emergency calls as a predetermined duty schedule dictated. With the advent of the 911 system, Inverness Fire contracted with Marin County Fire Department to provide 24/7 dispatching. Firefighters are now dispatched via wireless Motorola pagers, which they keep either on their hip or next to their beds.
In 1954, the need for a firehouse was recognized by the community, and a bond measure was passed to fund the construction of a firehouse at its current site. A second- story office area was added on in 1991.
Our first fire engine was actually a converted gasoline tank truck, donated by an oil company. It was kept in a garage near downtown. Early fire apparatus included an old Seagrave pumper and a converted Army 6x6. We currently run a 1979 Ford/VanPelt Type I engine, a 1986 Ford/Beck Type I engine, a rescue/medical squad (due to be replaced in 2005), a utility squad, and a 1998 Jeep Cherokee as a command vehicle.
Originally, firefighters were dispatched via a large bell (still mounted on the west wall of the Firehouse) which would be rung to signal an emergency. Later, as Inverness grew a bit, a siren was used. In the late 70's and early 80's, "firephones" were installed in officers' houses, and they took emergency calls as a predetermined duty schedule dictated. With the advent of the 911 system, Inverness Fire contracted with Marin County Fire Department to provide 24/7 dispatching. Firefighters are now dispatched via wireless Motorola pagers, which they keep either on their hip or next to their beds.