HISTORY

Where We Came From

The history of the Lotawana Fire Protection District dates back to the early 1940s. On Tuesdayt, October 28, 1941, seventeen men met at the Lotawana Yacht Club and formed the Volunteer Fireman's Association. The association was formed in order to provide year round protection of the residents and cabins against fire, tornadoes and any other traumatic event. Since many cabins were closed during the winter months, it was the associations duty to watch over those properties. Over the proceeding months the association trained 70 men willing and able to perform the tasks of a firefighter. To provide better response to emergencies, the lake was divided into blocks with a lieutenant and several helpers assigned to each block. To help in fire suppression, thirty fire extinguishers were distributed among the blocks.

March of 1942 saw the election of a Chief and five captains to the Volunteer Fireman's Association. Elected were: Fire Chief Bill Swinney and Captains C. Reid, Bill Zimmerman, Bud Piper, Dave Lutz and John Work. Fire phones were located in the homes of Don Lawrence, John Work, G. Barret and Joe VanHook. Fifty-two stirrup pumps were located strategically around the lake including one at each fireman's home. Firemen would use these 4 gallone pumps while responding to calls.

On May 27, 1943, a meeting of the Volunteer Fireman's Association was held and a decision was nmade to divid the lake into four fire districts. Each district was assigned a captain that was responsible for the protection of their district.

In December 1947, the Volunteer Fireman's Association acquired a fire boat, and three trailers to provide protection ot the lake residents and their property. The operating budget for 1947 was $1,000.00 In January of 1950, the department gained an additional jeep to aid in fire protection. This addition added to the current Fire boat maintained by Bill Zimmerman, the jeep with tank located at Gate 6, the jeep at Gate 3 and the new jeep to be kept at the maintenance garage at the Country Club.

The Volunteers Fireman’s Association gained national recognition during the Kansas City flood disaster in July of 1951. Lotawana was called into serve since they had the only fire boat to be found from the Mississippi River to the West Coast.

In 1975 the the Volunteer Fireman’s Association became the Lotawana Fire Protection District. Robert Allison was appointed the first Fire Chief of the District and Bob Snodgrass the Assistant Chief. By 1976 things were rapidly changing. With the formation of the new district and the need for the department to grow to support its citizens. Plans were called for the development of a new station and the need for more equipment. The Lotawana Fire Protection District bought the land its inventory one year advanced rent for Fire Station #7 and one years rent for the 1971 fire boat for $3.00.

In 1978 the Lake Lotawana Development Company provided land for a new fire station to built at Gate 2. By October 1979 the new station was nearly built with 25 firefighters ready to assist the citizens of the district.

In 1982, Fire Chief Bob Allison set out on an ambitious goal to help the citizens of the Lotawana Fire Protection District. Chief Allison looked to install fire hydrants around the lake to provide a water supply to aid fire fighting operations. At the time it would cost on average $1500.00 to install just one hydrant. A small group of nay-sayers said it could not be done, siting that the water supply would be to little and the current lines would not support the hydrants they intended to feed. Through hard work and dedication of Chief Allison and the Lotawana Firefighters the goal was accomplished one hydrant at a time. This new initiative brought Lake Lotawanas’ residents ISO rating from a 9 to a 7 therefore lowering insurance costs.