Bozeman Fire Dept. (Bozeman, Mont.)

An organization named the Bozeman Fire Company was established in 1880, and four years later the Bozeman Fire Department was organized as a volunteer group with only two paid members. Men requesting membership in the department were voted on by a committee. After five years, an active member could become exempt from call and dues yet still participate in social events and discussion at meetings without voting privileges. For many years a social membership in the department existed, its members also voted on by committee. To raise funds for the department the first Fireman's Ball was held in 1884 and thereafter every year around Thanksgiving. The department had an annual stag banquet each January to review the year's events. The banquet was a very significant social event for the men of Bozeman for many years. In 1911, the Montana state legislature passed legislation to finance fire relief associations with allocated taxes. In response, the Bozeman Fire Department Relief Association was incorporated in 1912 , replacing the department's relief committee. In 1939, after legislation on pensions and wages in the late 1930s was unsatisfactory, the Bozeman Montana firemen joined the International Association of Firefighters Union as Local # 613.

From the description of Bozeman Fire Dept. records, 1880-1962. (Montana State University Bozeman Library). WorldCat record id: 71055563

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