Coupeville
Washington
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Central Whidbey Island Fire And Rescue Department
History
Coupeville, located on Whidbey Island, or Whidby as it was called for decades is the Island County seat and second oldest town in the state of Washington. Fire protection for the town and prairie’s surrounding Coupeville was the responsibility of the Coupeville Fire Brigade until 1928 when the department made the transition to a fire department. The first Chief of the Department, Chas Ruthford was elected from a public meeting and appointed were: G.W Hesselgrave, assistant fire chief. Les Miller, Captain of the Hose Company and Wallace Benson, Captain of the Hook and Ladder Company.
In 1929 the hose wagon and equipment was stored at the headquarters on Front Street and was replaced in 1930 by a fire hose cart which was mounted on automobile chassis which is towed by any car with top speed up to 65 miles per hour. The cart was moved to the fire shed in 1932 located on Alexander Street. Regular meetings were held at the City Library.
Coupeville, located on Whidbey Island, or Whidby as it was called for decades is the Island County seat and second oldest town in the state of Washington. Fire protection for the town and prairie’s surrounding Coupeville was the responsibility of the Coupeville Fire Brigade until 1928 when the department made the transition to a fire department. The first Chief of the Department, Chas Ruthford was elected from a public meeting and appointed were: G.W Hesselgrave, assistant fire chief. Les Miller, Captain of the Hose Company and Wallace Benson, Captain of the Hook and Ladder Company.
In 1929 the hose wagon and equipment was stored at the headquarters on Front Street and was replaced in 1930 by a fire hose cart which was mounted on automobile chassis which is towed by any car with top speed up to 65 miles per hour. The cart was moved to the fire shed in 1932 located on Alexander Street. Regular meetings were held at the City Library.