A special thank you to all those who have participated in our “I Remember Rippey” series. Your remembrances have allowed readers to share in our town’s history, activities, sports, school, church, and daily life covering 150 years.
We will continue posting online here, using “I Remember Rippey” remembrances received prior to April 30, 2020. If you would like to read more Rippey history, you may also click on the History tab of the Rippey Library website: https://www.rippey.lib.ia.us .
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Rippey Fire Department by Mary Weaver, Jean Borgeson And Peter Johnson
(Excepts from full article available on RIppey Library site)
Rippey had its first organized volunteer fire department in 1911 with 24 men on the fire team. The city water works was installed in 1911, and the volunteers were subsequently organized. (History of Rippey 1849-1956).
Before 1911, during a fire, water was carried from the city well, or other nearby wells, via a bucket brigade. Men and women of all ages participated. Water soaked blankets and carpets were placed on adjoining roofs to minimize the sparks from the flames. Seldom was a major fire extinguished.
A later improvement was a small platform mounted on wheels about one foot high on which was a double action pump with two handles that were operated by two men. To this pump was attached a long hose with a nozzle. There was room on the platform for a large wash tub, where the end brigade recipient would pour the water into the tub, and it was pumped on the fire.
In a cupola atop the first firemen’ headquarters was a large bell to which was attached a rope, so the first person arriving at the building could give the alarm by ringing the bell. After electricity came to the town, the fire siren was moved in 1915 to the adjoining building, the Crumley and States store. The telephone operators were given the responsibility of setting off the alarm for a fire, and also for time signals throughout the day, 7:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 6:00 p.m.
The current fire hall was built in 1994, at the location of the former water tower. It is a metal shed that allows the housing of the fire equipment. The rescue squad vehicle, the attack vehicle, the pumper and the tubes for grain bin rescue are stored in the building.
The current volunteer Fire Chief is Peter Johnson. There are fewer than 10 firefighters serving the town and township. The most recent fire truck was purchased in 2016 for $92,000, a gift from the estate of Bill Wisecup. The Friends of Rippey and the Washington Township Trustees aid in maintaining fire extinguishing and rescue equipment. Chief Johnson is a certified emergency medical responder. The Friends of Rippey have helped to secure grain rescue equipment, OSHA approved helmets, and radios to aid the Rippey Volunteer Firefighters. The Washington Township Trustees are Chairperson Mary Hick, Roger Norgren, and Tod Contner. Jean Borgeson is the township clerk.
Information was gathered from the Jefferson Bee, History of Rippey 1849-1970; and History of Rippey, 1849-1956.
Built at the site of the former water tower in 1994.
Grain bin rescue equipment
Fire Chief Peter Johnson