Riverside Fire Department

The Riverside Fire Department is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the city of Riverside, California.

History

In April, 1882, Frank Miller, the owner of the Mission Inn, convinced local businessmen to contribute towards a wagon and firebuckets, costing $500. Subsequently William Hayt, a businessman, and owner of several stage lines, began a drive to establish a complete fire department. Hayte got the city's Board of Trustees agreement to establish the Riverside Fire Department, but only after Hayte offered to raise half the money from local businessmen, and to put up the other half of the funds himself, to be reimbursed later. Hayte was able to raise $527, he loaned the city an additional $516.68, and The Riverside Fire Department was officially established on October 7, 1887.Lewis, Richard & Moses, Vincent. The Riverside Fire Department Presents, A Century of Service. 1983. Page 13. The Riverside Firemen's Benefit Association. Riverside, California

The first major fire to confront the new Fire Department was on April 22, 1888, when the Pavilion, a large wood frame structure used for many social occasions such as theaters, dances, and general meeting space, burned to the ground. Through the efforts of the fire department, as well as local citizens, loss of additional buildings was avoided.Souvenir of the City of Riverside, by the Riverside Fire Department, 1906. Riverside...
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