Alva Fire Department History Page 4
2002 - Present
August 23, 2002. This picture taken of members of the Alva Fire Department who will be participating with the Labor Day drive for M.D.A. Starting on the back row from left to right is Crista Smiley and Bruce Keitel. Standing from left to right are Tim Starbuck, Len Haight, Cris Meyer, Ric Towns, Phil Burrow, Donny Mayhon, Jeff Schwerdtfeger, Randy Stelling, Merle Ridgway and kneeling in front is Kirk Trekell. Also those members who are helping but are not shown are Joel Fogelstrom, Cecil Dooley, Tony Reed, Marick Norton, Terry Swenn and Kevin Pingelton. We also would like to thank the Cherokee Strip Museum for the use of the 1927 model Seagraves.

October 8, 2002. This is a picture of Chief John Farris on the left and Cris Meyer on the right talking to this 5th grade class during Fire Prevention Week.

October 26, 2002. N.W.O.S.U. Homecoming. Heres a picture of a 1917 model Seagrave owned and driven by Kirk Trekell and a 1927 model Seagrave owned by the Cherokee Strip Museum and driven by Allen Schwerdtfeger. Following these antiques were the rest of our Apparatus, this was in celebration of our 100th anniversary. After the parade local firefighters, retirees and firefighters from other departments in the county gathered at the station for a cookout.

November 13, 2002. Today we received our grant money to purchase our thermal imager. This is a picture of the Imager.

December 22, 2002. We responded to a car wreck 16 miles west of town, check this picture out and yes they survived.

April 5, 2003. The Alva Fire Department hosted at the drill field a Woods County Firefighters Association training day.

September 22, 2003. Members of the Alva Fire Department had a suprise 50th birthday party for Chief Farris.

January 26, 2004. At approximately 11pm we were called to a structure fire at 617 Barns located 1/2 block off of the town square. Upon our arrival flames were shooting from all three windows on the second floor. Pictures of the fire. 1. 2.

March 11 , 2004. Chief Farris turned in his resignation to the city manager. June 30, 2004 will be his official retirement date.

May 17, 2004. Phil Burrow was appointed Alva's newest Fire Chief effective July 1, 2004. Allen Schwerdtfeger will be the new Assistant Chief.

May 21, 2004. At 11:59 PM the Alva fire Department was called to check a transformer in the Alley behind 527 Barnes, as it it turned out the shop part of Deans Sales and Services was on fire, with high winds out of the south the fire department had a rough time containing the fire, two buildings were lost one located at 527 Barnes owned by the odd fellows who had their lodge up stairs and Deans sales and services located down stairs, 525 barnes was destroyed by the fire, the building was owned by the city of Alva, there were three businesses in that building, Alva Sewing center, M&M embroidery and fabrics and more. Pictures of the fire. 1. 2.

July 1, 2004. Today is the official first day as Fire Chief for Phil Burrow, Assistant Chief for Allen Schwerdtfeger and also today is the first day as a full-time firefighter for Rick Rhodes .

August 9, 2004. We had John's retirement dinner.

August 27, 2004. We were called 1 3/4 miles east of Alva for a fire, once we arrived we found many tires on fire behind the Perry tire recapping plant, the fire was set by some one burning grass next door spreading to the tires. Pictures from this fire. 1. 2. 3. 4.

April 25, 2005. Today is Bryan Miller's first day working for the Fire Department, Bryan is a 4th generation Miller to have worked for the Alva Fire Department in 100 years.

May 9, 2005. We had Lens retirement dinner, Len officialy retired after 30 years of service May 1, 2005.

March 14, 2006. Chief Burrow turned in his notice for retirement with the 23rd as his last day in office.