Raymond-Harvel Fire Department

In the early 1950's, community members began to recognize the need for an organized fire department in Raymond, and a special election was held to establish a fire protection district. The following article was published in the March 21, 1951 issue of The Raymond News: 

New Fire Station at Raymond Nears Completion
(The Raymond News, November 1, 1951)

(Raymond News Photo)

The above picture is of the new building in which the Raymond Fire Department’s new fire truck and firefighting equipment will be kept. The building is erected on the site where the Town Hall previously stood. Work on this building was started about six weeks ago. Although the building is not completed, work has stopped for the present while waiting for material, doors, etc.

The carpenter work was done by Jess Mitts and son Henry. The roof and brick siding by the S.L. Fix Roofing Co., and the plumbing work by the Hough Plumbing Co. all of Raymond. When the fire station is completed and the men have their coats, hats and boots, Raymond will have an A-1 firefighting department.

The following photo and article that appeared in Raymond's 125th Anniversary Book published in 1996:

An early photograph of the Raymond volunteer firemen with their 1951 truck. Pictured are (from left) Joe Bergman, Hank Mitts, Bud Hannon, Tom Mizera, Stanley Fix, and Cecil Pitchford.

An organizational meeting was held for the Raymond Fire Protection District at the First National Bank in Raymond on March 16, 1951. It was attended by D.O. Cox, K.O. Hanks, and Cecil Pitchford. Discussion on the type of fire apparatus and fire hose needed was held, and officers were elected with K.O. Hanks President, D.O. Cox Secretary-Treasurer, S.L.·Fix Fire Chief, Thomas Mizera, Assistant Chief, Joe Bergman, Assistant Chief, Claude Todt, Secretary, and Joe McNeal Treasurer of the fire department.

Charles Bandy was appointed Fire Chief in August, 1961, and held the position for 25 years until he retired. Darrell Pitchford was appointed to fill the position.

On March 1, 1989, the Raymond Fire District was approached about annexing and merging the Harvel Fire Department with the Raymond Fire Department. After petitions, elections, and many decision-making meetings, the two departments became one, as the Raymond-Harvel Fire Department under the Raymond Fire Protection District. During the time of the annexation, the District Board was comprised of Ray Held, President; Edward Weitekamp, Secretary-Treasurer; and Mitchell Engelman.

In February of 1996, Honorary Firemen were Devoy Bechtel, Charles Bandy, Bill Bergman, Bob Hough, Howard Mitts, Kenneth Wagahoff, Carl Routt, Robert Poggenpohl, Leroy Molen, Dale Ogden, Gayle Trulock, Carl Peger, Leland Bockewitz, Larry Miller, Jim Hitchings, Glenn Myers, Gary Kolkhorst, John Herman, Kenneth Armour, Jim Langheim, Earl Viehland, Richard Bails, Howard Beiermann, Gary Bergschneider, Tom Irwin, Rex Pitchford, and Robert Specht.

The firemen have a picnic each year at the city park for their families and the trustees of the Fire District and their families. It is an afternoon of visiting and playing, and all ages enjoy a ride on the fire trucks.

The Fire District trustees host an appreciation dinner each January for the firemen and spouses to recognize them for all the hard work, training, and hours for the community by the volunteers.

Active Fireman in 1996

According to Raymond's 125th Anniversary book, in 1996, members of the Raymond-Harvel Fire Department included: (front row from left) Dennis Skinner, Jim Clayton - captain, John Smith, Wayne Angle - assitant chief, Darrell Pitchford - chief, Tim Lebeck­ assistant chief, Jerry Hefley- secretary and captain, Ivan Benning- treasurer, Denny Held - Sargent at Arms, Ralph Bockewitz.

(Second row from left) George Hough, Shawn Allen, Dan Hough, Mike Masten, Joe Martin, Chad Williams, Dan McCallum, Rick Broaddus, Dennis Williams, Mick Broaddus - rescue squad
co-captain.

(Third row from left) Ron Bergschneider, Ron Springfloat, Mark Myers, Bill Held, Greg Holder, Allen Poggenpohl, Bill Vanzant, Steve Bails. 

(Back row from left) Mike Hough, Russell Poggenpohl­ rescue squad co-captain, Bruce Poggenpohl, Bob Holder, Roy Young- Sargent at Arms, Mo Jenkins, and Doug Pitchford.