The department responded to 8,106 calls in 2021, including 4,208 emergency medical service calls, 1,534 fire calls, 295 hazardous condition calls, 243 technical rescue calls, and 1,826 'other' calls such as assisting the public or false alarms. These days, the Iowa City Fire Department is made up of 64 personnel and four fire stations, providing fire protection, emergency medical service and public education to more than 25 square miles of service area. That year the fire department obtained its famed white fire horses Snow Ball and High Ball, who served the city until 1925. The Iowa City Fire Department was all-volunteer until 1912, when the City hired its first three paid firefighters: Herman Amish, George Kasper and Fire Chief James Clark. In 1842, the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Iowa authorized the creation of the Iowa City Fire Engine Company, which was largely tasked with protecting the then-state capitol. The origins of the Iowa City Fire Department actually date back to before Iowa achieved statehood.

This equipment was used by a new volunteer company Rescue Hook and Ladder Company #1 and was the genesis of the Iowa City Fire Department. On May 20, 1872, following a large fire in the Downtown business area, the Iowa City City Council agreed to purchase $500 worth of fire fighting equipment, including buckets and hook and ladder equipment. The Iowa City Fire Department - one of the oldest fire services in the state of Iowa - is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.

Iowa City Fire Department to celebrate 150th anniversaryĪ horse-drawn Iowa City Fire Department cart, photographed on Linn Street in the early 1900s

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.Ĭontact: Lee Hermiston, Public Safety Information Officer

Iowa city airport anniversary