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Crime & Safety

Landmark Hermosa: Fire Station

If you guessed the Hermosa Fire Station for this morning's trivia, you were right.

They respond to our emergencies within a heartbeat. We are grateful for the work our firefighters in Hermosa do but how well do we know their history?

Nestled on Pier Avenue between the and the is the . Though the station was built in 1959, the department's history dates back to the year Hermosa Beach was founded.

When our beach city was established in 1907, City Council created a volunteer-based fire department. Clement L. "Bob" Reinbolt was appointed the first volunteer fire chief, and along with four other volunteer firefighters, Hermosa’s fire department was well underway.

The department's first engine was horse drawn, composed of a two wheeled cart that carried a small amount of hose, two axes, and one bucket. In time, firefighters upgraded to more sophisticated transportation. The city purchased its first chemical fire truck in 1914, and more volunteer firefighters hopped on board.

With a new truck, fire chief, and better financial aid about a decade later, “the city agreed to pay all volunteer firefighters one dollar for every training session and fire they participated in,” according to the Hermosa Beach Fire Department: History on the city website.

The size of the volunteer firefighters increased to 18 in 1932, and now remains at that number.

There are currently three firetrucks operating at the station, and unlike traditional red firetrucks, Hermosa’s are painted white.

Chief Fred Kelterer, who was appointed in 1950, concluded that the color white was more noticeable than red. The department purchased their first white engine in 1961.

Congratulations to  and  for correctly guessing today's Landmark Hermosa. We'll have a new trivia next week.

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