Gerlach, A. R.,

After a fire destroyed the Sierra Madre Basket, Bakery & Grocery in 1919, the need for fire fighting equipment was realized. The Sierra Madre Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1921. The fire station, police station, and City Hall building at 55 West Sierra Madre Blvd. was constructed in 1927. Gradually the fire department built its resources adding more fire fighters, engines, and equipment. Fighting blazes in structures such as homes and businesses, the department also battles brush fires in the foothills. In the early 1930s a second fire station was built in the Sierra Madre canyon. Also in the 1930s the department owned and operated a First Aid Truck and provided emergency care to Sierra Madreans. In 1973, two members of the department received emergency medical technician training and in subsequent years others were trained. The emergency medical program continues today. In 1940, a new Diaphone Fire Horn replaced the siren at City Hall. The horn was used to alert firemen to a fire. In 1961 a new fire station (number 2) was constructed in the Sierra Madre canyon on the site of an old city pump station at 744 Alta Vista Drive. From station number 1, the fire and police departments moved to a new fire and police facility at 242 West Sierra Madre Blvd. on May 8, 1976. In October 1987, the department hosted the 1st Annual Fire Prevention Festival. The festival is a way for the department to educate the community about the dangers of fire and ways to safeguard their property and families.