top of page small IFD logo - City of Irving

HISTORY OF THE IRVING FIRE DEPARTMENT
THE IRVING FIRE DEPARTMENT
WAS FORMED IN 1925 AS A VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AFTER A
FIRE STARTED IN THE ONLY SCHOOLHOUSE.
THEY STARTED WITH 20 MEN; MR. R.V. LEACH WAS ELECTED CHIEF.
VOLUNTEERS STARTED WITH A FOUR WHEELED PULL-CART LOADED
WITH A 20 GALLON WATER BARREL, A HAND PUMP, BUCKETS, BROOMS,
AND A SMALL LADDER. THERE ARE OPINIONS THAT THE IRVING FIRE
DEPARTMENT STARTED EARLIER, POSSIBLY 1921. HOWEVER THE ONLY
DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS FROM A 1925
INVOICE FOR FIRE HOSE.
THE CITY WAS ONLY ONE SQUARE MILE AT THE TIME.
IN 1926 THE VOLUNTEERS GOT THEIR FIRST MOTORIZED EQUIPMENT, A
1919 MODEL T FORD TRUCK. THE VOLUNTEERS ADDED A PUMP, WATER
BARREL, 250 FEET OF 2 1/2” HOSE, BUCKETS, A LADDER, AND AN AXE.
THE TRUCK HAD A TOP SPEED OF 25 MPH.
VOLUNTEERS WERE ALERTED ABOUT FIRES BY A LIGHT AND A SIREN
ON TOP OF THE OLD WATER TOWER DOWNTOWN. THERE WAS A RUMOR
THAT THE CITIES FIRST POLICE OFFICER WOULD SHOOT HIS GUN INTO
THE AIR TO SUMMON THE VOLUNTEERS TOO.
THE FIRST STATE CERTIFIED FIREMAN WAS EARL SARGENT, WHO GOT
HIS CERTIFICATION IN THE MID 1930’S.

IN THE 1930’S THE VOLUNTEERS BOUGHT A USED REO FIRE TRUCK
FROM THE MINERAL WELLS FIRE DEPARTMENT.
IN THE EARLY 40’S THEY BOUGHT A USED 1936 1 ½ TON CHEVROLET
TRUCK. THIS TRUCK HAD A 500 GPM PUMP AND A 250 GALLON TANK.
THEY ALSO BOUGHT A WAR SURPLUS INTERNATIONAL TANKER THAT
HELD 600 GALLONS. THE MEN USED RUBBER RAINCOATS AND FISHING
WADERS AS FIREFIGHTING GEAR.
IN THE 1950’S THE FIRST NEW FIRE ENGINE WAS BOUGHT, A 1951 MACK
WITH A 750 GPM PUMP. IN 1953 THE CITY HIRED ITS FIRST FULL TIME
PAID FIREMAN AND FIRE MARSHAL, JAMES D. “PISTOL” MITCHELL.

IN 1954 THEY HIRED 4 MORE FULL TIME MEN.
THE FIRST FULL TIME PAID FIRE CHIEF, E.F. CRONAN, WAS HIRED IN
1955. HE WAS A RETIRED CAPTAIN FROM THE DALLAS FIRE
DEPARTMENT.
THE FIRST TWO-WAY RADIOS WERE INSTALLED IN 1955.
STATION 2, AT 1306 N. STORY WAS BUILT IN 1956. THIS STATION HOUSES
BATTALION CHIEF 1,A TRUCK, AN ENGINE, AN AMBULANCE, AND A
RESERVE AMBULANCE. THIS STATION HAS THE MAIN AIR COMPRESSOR
FOR REFILLING SCBA TANKS.

STATION 3, AT 1825 E. GRAUWYLER, WAS BUILT IN 1957. THIS STATION
HAS AN ENGINE, AN AMBULANCE, THE MASS CASUALTY TRAILER AND
520 SHIFT DUTY OFFICER. STATION 3 REPAIRS FIRE HOSES FOR ALL
STATIONS.
IN 1958 THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS WERE PHASED OUT.
A 1956 PANEL WAGON WAS DONATED IN 1959 TO BE USED AS AN
AMBULANCE.

STATION 4, AT 3303 N. MACARTHUR, WAS BUILT IN 1960. THIS STATION
HAS AN ENGINE AND AN AMBULANCE. THIS STATION ALSO REFILLS ALL
OXYGEN BOTTLES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT UNITS.
IN 1967 THE FIREMEN WENT FROM 24 ON/ 24 OFF TO 24 ON/ 48 OFF AND
THE NUMBER OF FIREMEN ALMOST DOUBLED.
A 1953 AMERICAN LA FRANCE 75 FT. AERIAL LADDER WAS BOUGHT
FROM FLOWERTOWN, PA. IN 1967, TO BE USED AS THE FIRST TRUCK.
THE ORIGINAL STATION 5, AT 1230 GLENWICK, WAS BUILT IN 1967.
CHIEF WILLIAMS WAS HIRED IN 1968.
THE FIRST ASSISTANT FIRE MARSHAL WAS HIRED IN 1969.
THE ORIGINAL STATION 6, AT 2601 ESTERS RD., WAS BUILT IN 1970.
AUGUST 2, 1970 HUMBLE OIL REFINERY FIRE ON HIGHWAY 183.
ALSO IN 1970 THE IRVING FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRST STARTED USING
SCBA, SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS. BEFORE THEN YOU
WERE A TRUE “SMOKE EATER”.

IN 1971 THE IRVING PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION #2073
WAS CHARTERED.
DECEMBER 10, 1972 BOWIE JR. HIGH ARSON FIRE.
JANUARY 29, 1975 LPG BULK STORAGE FACILITY FIRE ON HIGHWAY 183
AT CARL RD. SHUT DOWN 183 FOR OVER A DAY.

STATION 1, AT 925 CHAMBERLAIN, WAS BUILT IN 1975. THIS STATION HAS
AN ENGINE, A RESERVE BATTALION CHIEF’S SUBURBAN AND A
“ZODIAK” TYPE BOAT USED BY THE SWIFT WATER RESCUE TEAM THAT
IS BASED OUT OF THIS STATION.
IN 1976 THE IRVING FIRE DEPARTMENT TOOK OVER AMBULANCE
SERVICE FOR THE CITY WITH 4 AMBULANCES. BEFORE THIS THE
AMBULANCES WERE RUN BY THE THREE FUNERAL HOMES IN IRVING
AND THEY RESPONDED ON A ROTATING BASIS.

CHIEF SPILLMAN WAS HIRED IN 1977 AFTER HE RETIRED FROM THE
DALLAS FIRE DEPARTMENT.
JANUARY 1978, A MAN WEARING A “SNOWMAN” COSTUME TO STAY
WARM AT A VERY COLD DALLAS COWBOY GAME HAS HIS COSTUME
CATCH FIRE DUE TO A LIT STERNO CAN. IT GETS NATIONAL ATTENTION
AFTER IT IS SHOWN ON TV.
THE FIRST PARAMEDICS FOR THE IRVING FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE
TRAINED IN 1978.
FIRST “JAWS” RESCUE TOOL FOR THE IRVING FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS
PURCHASED IN 1979.
NOVEMBER 1980, ARSON FIRE AT THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
HEADQUARTERS BUILDING.

STATION 7, AT 3303 W. WALNUT HILL, WAS BUILT IN 1982. THIS STATION
HAS A TRUCK, AN ENGINE, AND AN AMBULANCE.
IN DECEMBER 1982 THE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE TEAM WAS
PLACED IN SERVICE.
MARCH 4 1983 FIRE MARSHAL J. D. “PISTOL” MITCHELL RETIRES FROM
THE IRVING FIRE DEPARTMENT. HE WAS THE FIRST FIRE MARSHAL FOR
THE CITY OF IRVING.
CENTRAL FIRE STATION WAS CLOSED IN 1984. IT IS CURRENTLY BEING
USED BY THE IRVING PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION AS A
MEETING HALL AND POSSIBLE MUSEUM.
FEBRUARY 28, 1984 JAMES PRESSNALL, E4B, DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
AT AN APARTMENT COMPLEX UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

MAY 1984, MURDOCH MACHINE 4 ALARM FIRE ON WEST HWY 183.
STATION 8, AT 650 E. LAS COLINAS BLVD., WAS BUILT IN 1984. THIS
STATION HAS A QUINT TRUCK, AN ENGINE, AND A HAZ-MAT TRUCK
USED BY THE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TEAM BASED OUT OF THIS
STATION.
AUGUST 2, 1985 DELTA AIRLINES FLIGHT 191 CRASHES AT THE NORTH
END OF DFW AIRPORT, IFD RESPONDS TO A CAR HIT BY THE PLANE ON
HWY 114 AND TO ASSIST WITH THE AIRCRAFT CRASH.
JUNE 1986 FREE SMOKE ALARM PROGRAM STARTED FOR RESIDENTS
THAT OWN THEIR OWN HOME BUT CANNOT AFFORD A SMOKE ALARM.

STATION 9, AT 8101 JETSTAR, WAS BUILT IN 1987. THIS STATION HAS THE
ONLY IFD PLATFORM QUINT TRUCK, AN ENGINE, AND A RESERVE
AMBULANCE.
JANUARY 25, 1988 WENDELL MCCLUER, T9C, DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
AS HE WAS ASSISTING A MOTORIST ON THE HIGHWAY.
MARCH 30, 1988 THE CITY OF IRVING STARTS USING ENHANCED 911 FOR
ALL FIRE, POLICE, AND MEDICAL SERVICES.
AUGUST 31, 1988 FLIGHT 1141 CRASHES AT THE SOUTH END OF DFW
AIRPORT AND IFD RESPONDS.

STATION 10, AT 315 CIMMARON, WAS BUILT IN 1989. THIS STATION HAS
AN ENGINE, AN AMBULANCE, AND A RESERVE ENGINE.
CHIEF SPILLMAN RETIRED IN 1990 AND CHIEF RICHARD KNOPF WAS
HIRED IN JULY OF 1990.
JANUARY 1993 THE HIGH ANGLE RESCUE TEAM (HART) WAS PLACED IN
SERVICE.
OCTOBER 1993, MAJOR FIRE IN A SUITE AT TEXAS STADIUM.

CHIEF KNOPF SERVED UNTIL DECEMBER OF 1994, AND BATTALION
CHIEF MAYFIELD WAS APPOINTED INTERIM CHIEF UNTIL CHIEF
HICKEY WAS HIRED.
IN MARCH OF 1995 JACK HICKEY WAS HIRED AS FIRE CHIEF, AFTER
RETIRING FROM THE DALLAS FIRE DEPARTMENT WITH ALMOST 30
YEARS OF SERVICE.
STATION 11, AT 6200 LOVE, WAS BUILT IN 1997. THIS STATION HAS
BATTALION CHIEF 2, AN ENGINE, AN AMBULANCE, A “ZODIAK” BOAT, AN
“A” WAGON, AIR AND LIGHT VEHICLE, BRUSH 11, A DECON TRAILER,
AND A DECON TOW VEHICLE. THIS STATION ALSO SERVES AS THE
NORTH OFFICE FOR FIRE PREVENTION INSPECTIONS.
THE OLD POLICE BUILDING WAS RENOVATED AND REOPENED

AS FIRE ADMINISTRATION IN 2000. THIS BUILDING HOUSES THE CHIEF
OF THE DEPARTMENT, THREE ASSISTANT CHIEFS, EMS BATTALION
CHIEF, COMMUNICATIONS BATTALION CHIEF, DISPATCH OFFICE,
FIRE MARSHAL, ASSISTANT FIRE MARSHAL, TWO FIRE PREVENTION
LIEUTENANTS, FIRE PREVENTION STAFF, PROPERTY ROOM MANAGER,
ASSISTANT PROPERTY ROOM MANAGER, THE PROPERTY ROOM, AND 7
OFFICE STAFF MEMBERS.
JUNE 29, 2000 IFD HIGH ANGLE RESCUE TEAM MAKES A RESCUE OF TWO
WORKERS FROM A SCAFFOLD THAT COLLAPSED AT WATERWAY
TOWER, IT MAKES THE NATIONAL NEWS.
IN DECEMBER 2001 THE FIRST THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS WERE
PLACED IN SERVICE ON THE FOUR TRUCK COMPANIES AND THE TWO
BATTALION CHIEFS ONLY.
THE IRVING FIRE DEPARTMENT CITIZENS FIRE ACADEMY
WAS STARTED IN SPRING OF 2002

CHIEF HICKEY RETIRED IN OCTOBER 2002
CHIEF PAUL WHITE STARTED IN JANUARY 2003 AFTER SERVING WITH
THE TYLER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
OCTOBER 2003 THE FIRST FIRE SAFETY HOUSE FOR THE CITY OF IRVING
IS PLACED IN SERVICE.
STATION 5, AT 2925 W. SHADYGROVE, OPENED IN 2003. THIS STATION HAS
AN ENGINE, AN AMBULANCE, A RESERVE AMBULANCE, AND IS THE
HOME TO THE FIRE SAFETY HOUSE.
THE PUBLIC EDUCATION STATION, AT 1203 GLENWICK (OLD STATION 5,
WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY BUILT IN 1967), OPENED IN 2004. THIS STATION
HAS A SUBURBAN, A PICKUP AND A RETIRED 1988 ENGINE. THIS STATION

IS USED FOR PUBILC EDUCATION SERVICES WITH ONE PUBLIC
EDUCATION COORDINATOR OFFICED THERE. ANOTHER FIRE
PREVENTI0N SPECIALIST IS ASSIGNED TO THIS STATION AND IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR INSPECTIONS OF ALL SCHOOLS IN THE CITY OF
IRVING, PUBLIC (THERE ARE 3 SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE CITY OF
IRVING) AND PRIVATE. HE ALSO INSPECTS THE HOTELS AND MOTELS IN
THE CITY OF IRVING. THE PUBLIC EDUCATION STATION IS ALSO THE
HOME OF THE IRVING FIRE DEPARTMENT CITIZENS FIRE ACADEMY.
AUGUST 2004 THE LOFTS FIRE OCCURRED, FOUR ALARM FIRE
INVOLVING AN APARTMENT COMPLEX UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT LAKE
CAROLYN.

THE NEW FIRE STATION 6 OPENED IN SEPTEMBER 2005. THIS STATION
HAS AN ENGINE, AN AMBULANCE, A RESERVE TRUCK AND A RESCUE
VEHICLE USED BY THE TECHNICAL RESCUE TEAM THAT IS BASED OUT
OF THIS STATION. FIRST IFD STATION WITH INDIVIDUAL BEDROOMS
AND A DESIGNATED WORKOUT ROOM.
DECEMBER 2005 CAPTAIN HOLDER, E1B, CELEBRATES HIS 50 TH
ANNIVERSARY WITH THE IRVING FIRE DEPARTMENT.
CHIEF WHITE RETIRED IN JULY 2006, AND ASSISTANT CHIEF EVITTS WAS
APPOINTED INTERIM FIRE CHIEF.
THE FIRST QUINT ARRIVED IN SEPTEMBER 2006 AND WAS ASSIGNED AS
TRUCK 8.
OCTOBER 29, 2006 THE FIRST IRVING FIRE FIGHTER’S BALL WAS HELD
AT THE FOUR SEASONS RESORT. THE EVENT WAS TO RAISE MONEY FOR
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR IFD FIRE FIGHTER’S CHILDREN.
JANUARY 8, 2007 MARIO MOLINA WAS HIRED AS THE CHIEF. CHIEF
MOLINA CAME FROM THE CARROLLTON FIRE DEPARTMENT WITH 17
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.
JUNE 2007 THE “VIAL OF LIFE” PROGRAM BEGINS WITH HELP FROM
WALMART. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES A PLASTIC CONTAINER THAT
SENIOR CITIZENS PLACE THEIR MEDICAL HISTORY IN AND THEN PLACE
IN THEIR REFRIGERATOR WITH A SPECIAL MAGNET ON THE OUTSIDE.
THIS PROVIDES UP TO DATE MEDICAL HISTORY FOR PARAMEDICS IN
THE EVENT THAT THE VICTIM IS UNCONSCIOUS.

AUGUST 2007 NEW THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS ARE PLACED IN
SERVICE ON ALL FRONT LINE FIRE APPARATUS.
NOVEMBER 7, 2007 TRUCK 9 WAS PLACED IN SERVICE ON A QUINT WITH
A 100 FOOT LADDER/PLATFORM AND A 2000 GPM PUMP.
IN 2008 A TACTICAL PARAMEDIC PROGRAM IS STARTED IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE IPD TACTICAL TEAM.
JUNE 2008 IFD BIKE PARAMEDICS ARE INTRODUCED TO BE USED AT
SPECIAL EVENTS.
JULY 21, 2008 THE FIRST THREE LIEUTENANTS START IN THE FIRE
PREVENTION DIVISION, GIBBS, MALONE, AND AUSTIN.
OCTOBER 2008 A THIRD ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF, VICTOR CONLEY, IS
APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF.

DECEMBER 20, 2008 THE LAST HOME GAME OF THE DALLAS COWBOYS IS
PLAYED AT TEXAS STADIUM. THE IRVING FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS
MAINTAINED A REGULAR PRESENCE AT THE STADIUM SINCE IT
OPENED. FIRE PREVENTION SPECIALISTS HAVE BEEN ON SITE DURING
ALL EVENTS AT THE STADIUM TO CHECK FOR FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY
HAZARDS. IN RECENT YEARS FIRE FIGHTERS HAVE ALSO BEEN ON SITE
TO INSURE THE SAFETY OF THE FANS DUE TO LACK OF ADEQUATE FIRE
SPRINKLER PROTECTION.
FEBRUARY 2009 THE IRVING FIRE DEPARTMENT’S FIRST FIREBOAT IS
PLACED IN SERVICE ON LAKE CAROLYN. THE FIREBOAT HAS A 250 HP
MOTOR, A 1,250 GPM FIRE PUMP AND FOLD DOWN SIDES TO HELP WITH
RESCUES.
APRIL 13, 2009 FIRST BELL CEREMONY TEAM AT FEO BILL GANDY’S
FUNERAL.

NOVEMBER 2009, ASAP ALL TERRAIN AMBULANCE PLACED INTO
SERVICE. IT WILL BE USED FOR SPECIAL OUTDOOR EVENTS.
APRIL 11, 2010 TEXAS STADIUM IMPLODED.
APRIL 2010 TRUCK 2 IS REPLACED WITH A NEW QUINT LEAVING TRUCK
7 AS THE ONLY TRUCK WITHOUT A PUMP.

APRIL 2010 RESCUE 6 IS PLACED IN SERVICE REPLACING THE “BREAD
TRUCK” THAT HAD BEEN USED PREVIOUSLY. RESCUE 6 IS A HEAVY
RESCUE VEHICLE USED BY THE TECHNICAL RESCUE TEAM AT STATION
6.
JUNE 2010 FIRE MARSHAL KEN LEWALLEN RETIRES AFTER 32 YEARS
WITH THE IRVING FIRE DEPARTMENT. HE IS ONLY THE SECOND FIRE
MARSHAL THE CITY OF IRVING HAS HAD.