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www.middletownca.com is proud to bring you this history and picture
page of the
M.V.F.D.
Middletown Volunteer Fire Department
A SUCCESS STORY
From
a group of dedicated volunteers grew the third largest fire district in
California, providing emergency medical services and fire protection for
12,000 people, 5,200 homes, and 3,300 undeveloped lots over 280 square
miles, with annual emergency
response calls exceeding 1,000. The
District, under mutual-aid agreement, even responds into Napa County
providing emergency medical services. The District contract with the
CAL–FIRE allows the District to provide 24/7 coverage in Middletown, on
Cobb, which includes the Geysers, and at Hidden Valley Lake. They have an annual budget in excess of
$1,000,000.00 and are growing. I am
talking about the “Middletown Volunteer Fire Department” known today as the
“South Lake County Fire Protection District”.
The Middletown
area has had many fires over the years and the town has burned twice. Probably the most devastating fire was in
1918 which burned much of the business district. But when the town burned again in 1930
the citizens said “no more”.
This page
reflects the humble beginnings of what today is a highly trained,
professional, fire fighting and medical assistance organization.
Below are some
great pictures and newspaper clippings provided by the children of one of
Middletown’s finest,
Reed Hardester.
I want to
personally thank them for preserving this peek at history and sharing it
with all of us.
The
first Fireman’s Auction was held in 1931 and was called, The Fireman’s
Auction and Frolic. Its main purpose
then was to help raise money for the Fire District and have fun doing it. An event that grew through the years and
was the most looked forward to event of the year for all the
community.
Those Pictured
On Stage:
L-R Ken Palmer,
John Irwin & Ray Moody Sr.
L-R John
Baughman, unk, unk, unk, George Williamson, Orval Brennen & Ray Moody
Jr.
These names are
for the picture directly below
[ PAGE 2 MVFD > ]
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