SigMT

SiG MT 64 In 1889 the water plant was built and provided the water pressure needed for hydrants that were installed on street corners. Aer the completion of a city building on Second Avenue South in front of the fire department garage, the department found a respectable home for the volunteers and their equipment. An even newer city hall that included the fire department was completed in 1914 at Second Avenue South and Fih Street. is downtown building was used until the First Avenue South and Ninth Street station was built in 1971. e volunteer fire department gave way to a department with four employees in 1892. Employees were elected by the volunteer fire department members from among its membership, and the election was then confirmed by the city council. In 1900 another fire house, built in the residential district at irteenth Street and Fih Alley North (where the C. M. Russell Museum is today), called for additional employees. Today Great Falls has four fire stations strategically located throughout the city. Over the years, aempts to notify both firemen and residents that a dangerous fire had started were done in several ways. In the beginning all the homes and businesses were clustered around Central Avenue so it was easier to get everyone's aention. One account says that a person would shoot a gun in rapid fire, and another person would hear it and do the same to get the word out. Another account stated that a whistle to be placed on the electric light plant boiler was purchased. In 1887 Phil Gibson (Paris Gibson's son) bought a cracked bell from the fire department in Helena for $100, paid $50 to freight it to Great Falls, and had it repaired. A watchman had to be on hand 24-hours a day to sound the bell. It was used during the next four years at the downtown station before an alarm system was installed. Later the bell was used at the irteenth Street fire station. By 1899 the city had eleven alarm boxes distributed around town. With radios, telephones, and the 911 system, response today is in seconds. Like the police department, mechanization has improved the speed with which the fire department can respond. In 1910 the Great Falls department bought Montana's first motorized vehicle. Four years later a motorized patrol wagon and ambulance were added. With every passing year, various trucks with improved features complemented the fleet. Rescue boats are available for river rescues. First Impressions DENTURE CLINIC, LLC Allen L. Casteel, Denturist 215 Smelter Avenue N.E. Suite #3 Great Falls, MT • 406-216-4746 Full and Partial Dentures Relines • Repairs Oral Anti-Snoring Appliance Give yourself the smile you ' ve always wanted Comfortable Setting Fine Dining Cocktails Beer & Wine 106 Broadway • Helena, Montana 406-443-1929 • onbroadwayinhelena.com Considered a major Great Falls fire, the Park Hotel burned July 21, 1914.

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