Firemen: answering the call to duty

Listening to a Columbia Falls volunteer firemen call on my scanner today brought back a lot of memories.

Back in the 1950's there were five volunteer firemen and families living on the 1100 and 1200 blocks on Second Avenue West. The fire siren on city hall was blown to let firemen know there was a fire. Wives in our block went a little farther. If we did not see a neighbor leave for a fire we telephoned them. Sometimes it was difficult to hear the siren.

Actually, one purpose of the 10 p.m. curfew was to be certain the siren was working.

It was rather a contest as well. First one at the station got to drive the fire engine. They did not have protective clothing for fire calls. It was not unusual to see pairs of shoes on porches and clothing drying on lines.

Local telephone operators also called the men. I don't know how telephone lines were opened, but the operator would just open them and repeat location of the fire over and over. Suze Nadeau was especially adept at this.

One instance irritated a Whitefish telephone operator. She was attempting to reach Columbia Falls for a long distance call. Our operator kept repeating city dump, city dump, city dump over and over and would not answer Whitefish.

There were more calls with wood-burning stoves and chimney fires.

The dump, as I remember it, was located past where the green cans are now. It was an annual joke that if there was a blaze at the dump, volunteer firemen would spend hours there. Rumors were it was party time as well.

Our volunteers always had a reputation for quick responses. One example was a fire at Columbia Heights. Rex Worrall, who started Rex's and actually the community, wanted to buy firemen a drink. He timed them and it took five minutes for them to arrive. After the fire he went out and the firemen were already gone.

I possibly have told about the bad blaze between Columbia Falls and Whitefish. Volunteer men from both departments responded to the call that night. They were having difficulty finding the well and water. Suddenly, Whitefish volunteers were successful and started pumping. Columbia Falls men were on the other side. It did not take very long to ascertain they were pumping a cesspool.

It was a great day when fire jackets, pants and high boots were purchased for firemen. There was another celebration when plectrons were available and used for fire calls.

Now we have radios for firemen, more trucks, equipment and efficient operators answering calls at the police station. We also have women in fire departments.

It's dangerous, rewarding volunteer duty and we do appreciate it.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.