Department History

Traer Fire Department Lifetime Roster (as of November 1, 2005)

W. klingman
F. Matthiesen
W. Gauge
F. Poduska
E. Bailey
W. Gordon
G. Stuart
F. Perry
B. Bower
W. Ingamells
B. Smith
B. Wright
W. Glasser
A. Fothergill
R. McDowell
W. Millard
C. Conrad
B. Waters
H. Horsfall
H. McComas
C.D. Seelye
A. Kroeyer
P. Winters
R. McAlpine
H. Nauerth
L. Grossell
J. White
W. Stereson
W. McCormack
C. Lambert
L. Fearer
R. Morison
C. Schultz
A.J. Norton
J. Wilson
L. LaMont
J. Beckett
J. LaMont
W. Clow
E. Sheldon
F. Jaqua
J. Stevenson
W. Hauser
C. Kanipe
J. Ladd
H. Harder
H. Dennis
W. Millner
J. Sanders
C. Stuart
W. Wright
M. Camery
W. Heath
G. Ladd
R.H. Moore
P. Lambert
C. Bruner
D. Wilson
F. Wood
H.B. Merriman
F. Hadsell
T. Greelis
J. Bliss
P. Soener
L. Sawyer
M. Winters
F. Smith
A. Logan
J. Mowery
H. Otterman
H. Robbins
M. Scott
F. Thornburg
W. Drinovsky
D. Ward
R. Smith
M. Jordan
A. Hughes
G. Kostlan
R. Jacobsen
R. Whipple
F. Taylor
L. Soucek
H. Everts
L. Markham
G. Junker
C. Vanicek
G. Cavalier
H. Whannel
I. Gates
H. Hagedorn
R. McComas
W. Winters
M. Dalziel
L. Whannel
R. Nessler
C. Naylor
E. Griffith
P. Wieck
E. Shere
G. Turner
R. Feltz
F. Hladik
O. Finch
R. Logan
C. Hass
H. Trimble
C. Starck
T. Joens
D. Ferden
P. Fleming
G. Kebschull
E. Vesely
J. Whannel
J. Thomas
S. Hladik
K. Powell
J. Fleming
L. Owens
L. Childs
L. Lane
R. Shinn
D. Boldt
L. Bitcon
D. Vokoun
W. Cherveny
W. Watson
K. Holst
T. Lane
J. Pavelka
D. Martin
P. Upah
R. Knoop
R. Reuman
R. Young
L. Wood
V. Hoeg
M. Nelsen
C. Wood
M. Reuman
M. Rickard
D. Schellhase
Marvin Boldt
G. Kruse
L. Caslavka
L. Buddenhagen
T. Neidick
Jay Owens
S. Farland
M. Thompson
R. Edwards
James Currens
T. Stansbery
Ron Angel
B. Whannel
P. Burroughs
Dan Schmitt
John Novak
L. Staker
Larry Nachazel
S. Himschoot
J. Youel
S. Stock
M. McKinney
M. Witt
John Kostlan
K. Crawford
C. Jensen
Steve Fuller
A. Dudley
Shaun Kennedy
Brian Lyons
Rick Stone
R. Henle
Scott Mason
Gordy Peters
Bill Huntley
Jay Reuman
Ryan Neidick
Mike Skopec
Ryan Currens
Terry Timmons
Matt Rausch
Leroy Bradley
Jeremiah Solsaa

First Initial Only, for retired firefighters.

Junior Firefighter Roster

Cory Schellhase
Jay Reuman
Bradley Boldt
Sean Lyons
Ryan currens
Kyle Fuller
Stephan Herker
Jonathon Owens

Firefighter Of The Year Award:

1989: Jay Owens
1990: Larry Nachazel
1991: John Novak
1992: Larry Nachazel
1993: John Novak
1994: Lyle Buddenhagen
1995: John Novak
1996: John Kostlan
1997: Mike McKinney
1998: John Novak
1999: Brian Lyons
2000: Mike Reuman
2001: Bill Huntley
2002: Jay Reuman
2003: Mike Skopec
2004: Ryan Currens

TRAER FIRE DEPARTMENT
1879 – Present
PROTECTING CITIZENS OF TRAER AND SURROUNDING PROPERTIES FOR OVER 125 YEARS

An organized fire department for Traer wasn’t formed until 1879; six years after the railroad arrived here. The majority of this history has been taken from articles out of the Traer Star Clipper, the 1948 Diamond Jubilee Traer Star Clipper Special Historical Edition, the 1973 Centennial Book “Those Were The Days” and the 1998 Quasquicentennial book “125 years of Pride and Progress or written by
Mike and Joan Reuman.

March 7, 1879 – A special election was ordered to vote on the question of a tax of $2,000 to be expended for permanent fire protection. A levy of 1 per cent was ordered on the assessed valuation of the town for year 1879 as noted in special election. A steam engine with equipment was purchased from G. W. Barner for $2,530, “by recommendation of Wide Awake Engine and Hose Company No. 1.” Thomas Greelis was appointed chief engineer, Frank Hadsell first assistant engineer, and H. B. Merriman second assistant. Membership in the Fire Company raised to 40 men. There were three votes for naming the engine “Maid of the Mist” and two for naming it “ R.H. Moore.” Dave Ward was to appoint the firemen.

June 18, 1879 – At the firemen’s tournament at Cedar Rapids last week, Council Bluffs took the 1st & 2nd prizes and Muscatine the third. It was one of the grandest sights that Cedar Rapids has ever witnessed, even better than most of the State Fairs. The town was so crowded that it was almost impossible to obtain hotel accommodations.

June 16, 1880 – A building was ordered erected for the fire engine. Lot 10, block 16, was leased from Thomas H. Greelis for two years at $10 per year. Bids for furnishing the building were awarded as follows: Johnson Bros. for lumber, $164.50; Weld & Goodenough, hardware, $20.70; L. W. Kinney, labor, $28.75. The fire committee was instructed to purchase a fire alarm bell, which cost $145. (Note: This bell is on display inside the Traer Historical Museum) J. T. Everts resigned as town marshal; Dave Ward was appointed as combination marshal, night watchman and stoker to the fire engine, at a salary of $45 per month.

July 11, 1884 – “The Fire Company is thinking of purchasing a running hose cart to use in practice and in contests. There are a number of good runners in the company who will win prizes if they practice. In the July 4 hose contest at Dysart, the Wide Awake boys of Traer acquitted themselves admirably making an excellent run. Had they not missed coupling they would have taken the prize, but the pipeman gave a half turn after time was called, thus making it a foul race. Both of the other companies, Dysart and Vinton, made some breaks not allowed by rules and the judge ruled all three runs foul. The prize of $25 was divided among the three companies.

June 5, 1891 – The State Firemen’s tournament opens in Cedar Rapids next Tuesday and closes Friday. The Traer team will go down Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. The Railroad Company will furnish them and other Traerites one or two coaches, which will be placed on the sidetrack here and decorated by the team. Thursday and Friday will be the best days to attend; though there are good races for Wednesday. The Traer team desires the names of all who will accompany them so as to make proper preparation. The rate will be $1.40 for the round trip. It is expected a large delegation will be present from Traer to cheer the R. H. Moore Hose Team as they pocket their share of the purses, which they propose to do.

June 23, 1893 – Fred Wood, of Traer, the champion coupler of the State, was honored by the election of third vice president by the State Firemen’s Association last week. The tournament will be held at Marshalltown next year.

June 23, 1893 – “CAPTURED THE BELT” The R. H. Moore Hose Team win the State Belt a second time and the 42 Class Race. The R. H. Moore Hose Team acquitted themselves nobly at the State Firemen’s tournament last week, and won not only the State Belt but also some good prizes and a large amount of glory. Four prizes were carried away by our boys as follows: The 42 class, $100, which they made in 40 3-5; the second prize in the coupling contest, won by Fred A. Wood and George Ladd; the State race, $150 and belt, time 41; chief’s gold metal, 100-rod race, won by Fred A. Wood. The news of victory of the State race did not reach Traer until 9:30 Friday night, but that was early enough for a successful jubilee. The fire bell aroused the people, particularly the small boy, who was not long in congratulating with firecrackers, old pans, and a large stock of wind. For an hour there was a general contest to see who could make the most noise. It was generally conceded that our people were happy over the victory of the hose team. Saturday morning the town put on its 4th of July clothes, nearly all stores being decorated and flags and streamers being stretched across the street. Toward evening the Dysart band arrived and, followed by the regular fire department in uniform and several hundred people, they marched to the depot to greet the returning heroes. The latter were conducted to the Brooks House, where supper was served by the enthusiastic host. At eight o’clock a line of march was formed and after parading the street the people gathered at the opera house. Mayor Ladd made an address of welcome to the boys and was followed by speeches by D.E. Baker, Mr. Furman of Vermont, A.L. Ames, E.H. Griffin, M. Kahler, R.H. Moore, E.E. Taylor and a dog. Fred A. Wood responded briefly. A company of little girls, who marched in the parade with bouquets in their hands, presented one to each member of the team. Following the speech were informal congratulations, a general viewing of the silver belt and social enjoyment. The occasion was a success and a source of much rich fun all around as well as a tribute of honor and appreciation to the victors. The victory was surely one worthy of a public demonstration.

Friday, December 29, 1893 – The Firemen’s Fair. A large display of Salable Articles, Handsome Decorations, Numerous Attractions. As we go to press the firemen’s fair is in progress and its success is assured in spite of the unfavorable weather. The committees have been active and the result of their labor has been agreeably surprising. Nearly all the businessmen contributed liberally of their wares and others donated articles until a row of booths fifty feet long was well filled with goods, each booth ornamented by national emblems and a pretty young clerk. Midway Pleasance may be seen for ten cents and is an ingenious array of laughable attractions. They have a Ferris wheel, phonograph, a popcorn stand and other side issues. A fine gold watch will be raffled off, as will also a harness, mantle clock and lap robe. Oysters, ice cream, cake and coffee are being served at all hours. Last evening a musical program was rendered. The fair holds through today, closing tonight with a ball, music to be furnished by the K & K Bank of Waterloo. Admission to the opera house will be free all day, but spectators at the ball will be charged twenty-five cents. The citizens seem to be giving the indications that the fair will be as much of a success financially as otherwise. A large attendance is expected this afternoon. Many useful articles can be had there at a reasonable price.

Friday, January 5, 1894 - The firemen’s fair was surely a success. It was well planned and wisely managed. The attendance was good and patronage liberal. The total receipts were about $300, from the following sources: Raffles, $46; Ball, $80; supper, $55; Midway, $13.50; Ferris wheel, $8.60; sales of articles donated, $56; pop corn, $8.60. The total expense for oysters, band, etc. is thought to be about $100, leaving a clear profit of $200 to the fire department. Considering the times is surely a gratifying showing.

Friday, January 5, 1894 – Chief Fred A. Wood appeared before the city council Monday night and asked permission to consolidate the Hook and Ladder Company and the Hose Company, also to reduce the membership of former company from 25 to 15 members. The request was granted.

Friday, January 19, 1894 – New uniforms were ordered for the fire department, $14.00 each, for thirty men. A comment by the Traer Star Clipper: Chief Wood is undoubtedly giving a new impetus to the department.

April 27, 1894 – Officers were chosen by the fire department; Fred A. Wood was re-elected chief.

May 4, 1894 – “The fire department is spending two nights each week practicing military drill under command of F. E. Shortess, preparatory to making a creditable appearance as a company at the state tournament.”
June 1, 1894 – “The hose team is exercising on the race track. Many will attend and will have a car of their own on a special train passing through Traer at 6 a.m. and arriving in Iowa City at 9 a.m. Fare is $2.50 round trip for tournament June 19 to 22.”

June 8, 1894 – “Chief Wood says the hose team is doing nicely but must have some daytime practice. He would like to have practice every afternoon but many can’t get away without furnishing a man in their place and can’t afford to hire someone. Let the citizens take heed and see the boys through, as this is their last year. . . The R. H. Moore hose team will hold an ice cream strawberry festival Saturday evening in the Opera House to raise money to pay expenses at the tournament. Come and help them win the belt once more so they can keep it.”

June 15, 1894 – The ice cream festival cleared $30. “The R. H. Moore hose team and about two-thirds of the fire department in uniform will attend the tournament at Iowa City. The following will run: Fred Wood, coupler; Ped Lambert, leader; Carl Brunner, Dalt Wilson, Lew Fearer, Harry McComas, Adolph Kroeger, Henry Horsfall, Roland McAlpine, John Stevenson, Robert McDowell, John and Lafe LaMont, Fred Matthiesen, Will Wright. The Traer boys will have a hand in the following races: Novelty hose, purse $150; straightaway hose, $50; coupling contest, $20; state race, $450; sweepstakes hose, $125; running coupling contest, gold badge. Having taken the state belt twice, the boys will make a determined effort to finish the job. Hotels will give a rate of $1 a day and the railroad half fare of $2.50 from Traer and return.”

June 22, 1894 – “First race, 300 yards, Corning 1st, won $75, time 37 seconds; Harlan 2nd, won $50, time 42 3-5 seconds. It took the Iowa City team over 68 seconds to run the 300 yards, lay 200 feet of hose, make detachments, couplings, etc. Traer in straightaway running covered 300 yards with the cart in 38 3-5 seconds. Three companies outdistanced them – Corning in 37 3-5 seconds, Grinnell in 37 1-5 seconds and Harlan 37 4-5 seconds. Traer won the 41 class, $175. The boys are feeling well.”

June 29, 1894 – (Under a headline “Three Times and Out”): “The R.H. Moore hose team wins state belt and three prizes aggregating $300, a brilliant victory. About 1,500 firemen and 100 musicians were in the parade. Traer won novelty race in 46 seconds. The standing coupling was won by Harlan but Traer was a close second, time 2 1-5 seconds. Novelty coupling was won by Fred A. Wood in 4 1-5 seconds, breaking the world’s record. Traer won the 41-class hose race in 43 1-5 seconds. Traer won state Belt and $150 in 43 seconds. The Traer team made the race of their life with competing teams whose time was but 1-5 second slower. The team returned home to be greeted by over 1,000 enthusiastic citizens; it was escorted to the Opera House for ceremonies led by A. L. Ames, chairman. List of members of hose team: Ped Lambert, Lew Fearer, Robert McDowell, Dalt Wilson, Harry McComas, John Stevenson, John and Lafe LaMont, Mort Camery, James Sanders, Adolph Kroeger, Henry Horsfall, Carl Bruner, Roland McAlpine, Fred Matthisen, Will Wright, Fred Wood, Frank Poduska. Chief Fred A. Wood was honored with office of first vice president of the state association.”

March 30, 1894 – Fire destroyed the Star-Clipper block, practically ruining the Canfield grocery and badly damaging the Boettcher furniture store. The post office was in the Star-Clipper office at that time because E.E. Taylor was postmaster.

June 8, 1894 – “Fire again twice in ten weeks. Perry’s livery barn near Brooks House, operated by M. J. Segner, burned with horses, buggies and all contents. The fire was so hot the hose couldn’t reach the lower cistern in front of the barn and had to return to a cistern farther up town. This fire settled the waterworks question. Project will now carry by a large majority.”

July 20, 1894 – A third big fire; the bell rang at 1a.m. Nearly twenty buildings on north side were gone in 1 ½ hours. It started in Tilton’s barn at rear of bakery. Thirteen stores went up in smoke. Brick wall of Traer State Bank stopped it to the east. Buildings on south side were saved but paint blistered. Boettcher had a hand in all fires; on March 30 he was burned out when Star-Clipper building burned; on June 6 he lost his hearse in livery barn fire, and Wednesday lost a wood house on lot across alley from his store. J. H. Naureth’s drug store stood next to the bank and was last to go; he rented the front room of the Chinese laundry where he said he would do business while building a new brick store. The Star-Clipper had an extra on the street by 2:30 a.m., which was read by the light of the fire by 1,000 people gathered. Boys handled hose from railroad tank. The three fires were thought to be work of an incendiary.

November 23, 1894 – “The Iowa Firemen” Annual Business Meeting in Traer – Fifteen Cities Represented – A Splendid Meeting. Traer generally does things up in good shape, and her care of the delegates to the annual business meeting of the Iowa Firemen’s Association, held here Wednesday, was no exception. The attendance was not as large as expected, but larger than last year by half. The delegates present were as follows: Frank Cain, Atlantic; W. C. Campbell and C. T. Warner, Harlan; Fred. Dietrich and A. Bowman, Marshalltown; C. B. Johnson, Sam R. Davis, J. C. Carlsledt, Grinnell; George A. Lincoln, L. M. Ayers, Cedar Rapids; F. H. Dondore, Iowa City; E. O. Soule, Iowa Falls; A. S. Tiffany, Marshalltown; F. W. Esher, La Porte City; J. H. Sheets, John Schnoor, E. O. Rowe, C. E. Cram, E. J. Sanders, Henry Kelly, Vinton; J. Binhuff and George Niebert, Muscatine.

March 8, 1895 – (In the city minutes I found where chief Fred A. Wood received $3 a month for being chief.)

November 29, 1895 – At the yearly business meeting of the Iowa Firemen’s Association, held at Atlantic, last week, Fred A. Wood, late of Traer, was elected President of the organization. The next tournament will be held in Marshalltown next June.

October 24, 1913 – “All North Tama Mourns” “ Death of R. H. Moore Brings Grief to Thousands of Homes” “County’s First Banker – A Friend of Poor” “Dies in Hospital at Rochester After Surgical Operation – Traer Banker Forty Years – Loved by Everyone” Ralph Moore is dead! This announcement spread over Tama county last Friday afternoon, brought sorrow to more homes than has the death of any other individual within our remembrance of forty years. When we went to press last week the worst was feared. As stated, the surgical operation, for the removal of a section of the intestine that had shown malignant growth, was pronounced entirely successful. All diseased tissue was removed and the best of results were anticipated, but the patient’s stomach refused to work. He could retain no food of any nature and in his reduced condition he gradually sank. The end came at 1 p.m. Friday, painlessly, with the patient fully conscious. After the fight as only a true hero can make, he approached it calmly and with entire resignation. His wife, son and two daughters were with him. The body arrived in Traer, accompanied by the family, Saturday afternoon. The funeral was at 8 p.m. Sunday at the home.
Mr. Moore was a native of Pennsylvania. He was born in Mercer County in 1845 and grew to manhood there. In 1867 he came west and drifted into Tama City. At first he was employed in a lumberyard, later in teaching rural schools. In 1871 he accepted a clerkship in the Brooks-Carmichael bank in Tama City. When the city of Traer was born Mr. Brooks decided to open a bank here and to place Mr. Moore in charge. The latter became a partner. He had saved $1,000, which he put in as stock. The bank of Brooks & Moore opened on August 4, 1873, and for forty years Mr. Moore has been its head and its strength. In 1898, Mr. Brooks having died, he decided to incorporate, and the First National Bank, with a capital of $100,000, succeeded Brooks & Moore, bankers. About twenty local people took stock, but Mr. Moore held the control and in the years since has as carefully looked after Mrs. Brooks’ interest, about twenty-five per cent, as if her husband were yet with her. The First National Bank has had a reputation throughout Iowa that few banks ever win, not only for its liberal profits on a large capitalization, but also for its far reaching popularity and the universal confidence it inspired. It has always been admitted to be as solid as the rocks, the acme of strength.
Mr. Moore was married in 1874 to Miss Mae L. Hartshorn, daughter of one of the early settlers and beloved citizens. Six children have followed the union, four of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Rae Shortess, Kenneth and Nadine, all of Traer, and Mrs. Marguerite White, now in the Philippine Islands. One son, Ralph Roy died years ago at the age of two and the eldest daughter, Mrs. Edna Watt, passed away only a few months ago, in China.

April 9, 1917 – The Traer schoolhouse, less than 7 years old, was destroyed by fire. Defective wiring was thought to be the cause.

November 31, 1917 – The Traer Star-Clipper carried a large article on the recent purchase of a new fire fighting apparatus for the town. It was a rebuilt truck that had been in a wreck, but all new equipment had been added. A truck like it with new price would have cost the town $5,800, but the purchase of the rebuilt model cost only $2,800. The truck was equipped with a 70 horsepower engine, 200 feet of chemical hose, 1,200 feet of fire hose, an electric starter, ladders, hand extinguishers and other apparatus.
Fifty signers were needed to guarantee payment of the total cost of $3,000 with interest at 7 per cent. Many more than the 50 needed signed up.

March 8, 1928 – L. A. Page Lumber Co. shed in Traer and all contents were destroyed by fire of unknown origin. It was a frame structure 100 X 110 feet erected in 1902 by Kahler & Wood and operated by them for many years…the epidemic of fires that winter (Farmers Store and Page Lumber Co.) resulted in sale of $5,000 in bonds by the town council to finance a new fire truck. A new $5,600 Boyer (1928) special fire truck with a pumper capable of delivering 500 gallons of water per minute at 120 lbs. pressure, an 80 gallon water booster tank and 40 gallon chemical tank was received in March, and the Star-Clipper said: “Traer now has best equipped small town fire department in Iowa. Our waterworks system is adequate for almost any fire. We have two deep wells; a reservoir for storage and a large steel supply tank. A new water tank and tower, new and larger water mains, connection of all dead ends in the system and a new well, pump and pump house have been provided within the last few years at a cost of nearly $30,000. The old White chemical truck, in use since 1917 is retained as an auxiliary unit. “Ham” Allaben and Harry Everts drove the new truck from Detroit.”

February 22, 1929 – B. F. Thomas & Sons’ Hardware store suffered damage of over $30,000 in the Traer business district’s third major fire within sixteen months.

Rural Protection – The rural area farmers, up until 1938 had paid a fee of $25 for each fire call to their homes. A new plan called for the farmer to pay $1 per year for each farm he owned for his annual “insurance” or membership fee. An excellent response was made to this proposal; and farmers were urged to have adequate water available in some source in case a fire did occur. A feature in the December 22, 1939, edition of the Star-Clipper on the fire department at that time was reprinted from the Waterloo Courier. The Courier had chosen the Traer Fire Department for its feature because of the rural fire protection system it had set up. It was a unique system and it was working very well. The rural fire equipment consisted of a truck built from a 1935 truck chassis on which a new pump and hose were installed along with various salvaged equipment from an old truck. Local firemen had held dances, etc. and dug into their own pockets for some of the $2,500 cost of this truck, plus furnishing the labor to do it.
Rural calls were handled a little differently than town calls. Four firemen usually went on the call – the first four to get to the station – and on the way to the fire, they would consult a book, which they carried in the truck. This book gave each member’s home and the routing to it. It also usually gave more information on the amount and source of water available, although a 110-gallon tank on the truck usually could take care of a small blaze.

June 3, 1955 – The fire department showed its new equipment, hose and pumper truck, 750-gallon water tank and newly purchased white rescue unit.

April 1958 – When the new $12,000 truck went into operation in 1958, it joined the 1950 Ford truck, and the 1928 Boyer went into semi-retirement. The 1958 white Dodge had all the latest equipment, including a duplex, multi-level centrifugal pump. The pump and hose reels were all enclosed and heated from the exhaust to prevent freezing. The State College Bulletin praised Traer fire chief, Paul Fleming. He joined the department in November 1935 and became chief in 1945 and had been very active in firefighter training. The equipment responding to rural fires consists of one 500 GPM triple combination pumper, one tanker 750-gallon capacity and one well-equipped rescue truck.

Spring 1964 – The old rescue truck was replaced by adding a well-equipped emergency truck to the department’s four-unit truck fleet. It carried first aid equipment, resuscitator, self-contained oxygen masks for firemen, portable light plant, cutting torch, smoke ejector and many small tools.

October 1964 – Ted Joens received the Senior Fireman Award given by All-State Fire Insurance Co. for 28 years of service, including more than 20 years as secretary, representing the longest period continuous active service as a fireman. (Paul Fleming had also served 28 years, but this award is not given to department chiefs.)
October 1970 – A photo in the Traer Star Clipper shows Traer fireman, Stan Hladik, wearing the newly purchased air pack. The first breathing apparatus used by the department.

May 1973 – “Early Traer Fire Hat Given to Local Department”. Mrs. Jack Haynes, the former Isabel Naureth of Traer, a daughter of Dr. J. H. Naureth, an early day Traer druggist, and Mrs. Naureth, both of whom have been deceased for many years, sent to Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Taylor, of Traer, the Traer fire company hat which was worn by her father years ago when he was the chief engineer of the volunteer fire company. The Silver Belt was finally given to the Traer Fire Department a few years ago by the two remaining daughters of the R.H. Moore family – Mrs. Marguerite Volland of Palisades, California and Mrs. Nadine Goldsworthy of Santa Barbara, California. With it they gave pictures of the R.H. Moore Hose Team and a picture of the large crowd of Traerites who turned out for a program in honor of the firemen and a banquet in the Brooks House hotel to celebrate the victory of winning the silver belt. (Note: The years engraved on the silver belt are 1891, 1893 and 1894. The team was not permitted to compete in the 1892 competition because of a rule change, but that ruling was overturned in 1893 so after they won the 42 Class Race in 1894 they were awarded the silver belt.)

1973 – The fire department’s present five units are a 1950 country pumper, 1958 town pumper, 1964 emergency wagon, 1967 country tanker and an older country tanker.

September 1973 – At the 95th Convention of the Iowa Firemen’s Association in Oelwein, the Traer Fire Department team of LeRoy Wood, Lyle Bitcon, Kent Holst and Ralph Shinn, took 1st place in the state championship waterfights. There were 103 teams in the competition. Traer beat out a team from Carson in the championship fight. Vinton took third place. The Traer team was presented a large wooden plaque, The Bill Cox Memorial Award, for being the “Best Squirts” in the state of Iowa for 1973.

Dave Ward served as Traer’s fire chief longer than anyone else in the town’s history. He succeeded Ed Sheldon and held the post for 28 years until 1938. Will Winters took his place, serving until 1945, when Paul Fleming took over for the first time. He resigned in 1949 after suffering a heart attack, and Galt Turner was chief for the next 5 years. Mr. Fleming then again assumed the job in 1965. Edward Vesely succeeded him. Mr. Vesely served as fire chief from 1965-1975.

September 1975 – At the Iowa Firemen’s Association Convention in Storm Lake the Traer Fire Department team of Don Schellhase, Mike Reuman, Dick Young and Mike Rickard won the state championship waterfights.

Summer 1976 – “Fire Destroys Two Barns on Axler Farm” A major 18-hour blaze ripped through two barns containing an estimated 35,000 bales of hay on the Elmer Axler farm two miles south of Traer Sunday, causing about $100,000 in damage. Traer firemen were called to the Axler farm about 6 p.m. on Sunday, with the east barn engulfed in flames. Later the fire spread to an adjoining barn, also full of hay and the fire was still smoldering as late as Tuesday morning. Exact cause of the fire was not known, but Traer fire officials speculated that it could have been caused by spontaneous combustion, faulty wiring or sparks from a tractor. Firemen from Hudson, Clutier, Dysart and Toledo joined the Traer firemen in battling the blaze, which could be seen Sunday night from Traer.

Ralph Shinn was elected chief in 1976 and served through 1982.

In 1977 the city purchased the current fire station building from Lambert Karpisek. The building had been used as a body shop. The volunteer firemen did all the remodeling work at what is now the current station. About 200 people attended the dedication of the new fire station, which was held October 15, 1978. Presiding at the dedication was Fire Chief, Ralph Shinn, Mayor, Russell Drinovsky and Rev. Robert H. Opperman. Members of the Traer Fire Department in 1978 were: Ralph Shinn, Chief; Kent Holst, Assistant Chief; Leland Owens, Secy-Treas; Delbert Boldt, Marvin Boldt, Lyle Bitcon, Lyle Buddenhagen, Lee Caslavka, Lawrence Childs, Scott Farland, John Fleming, Vernon Hoeg, Rodger Knoop, Tom Neidick, Jay Owens, Mike Reuman, Reg Reuman, Don Schellhase, Clark Wood, LeRoy Wood and Dick Young.
Wording under a picture of the Traer firemen and wives in the Traer Star Clipper from October 1978: Although the city and fire department have spent about $45,000 to purchase and buy materials for the new building, it is estimated that the facility now is worth about $40,000 more than that. It is estimated that a new building of this type and size could not be built for any less than $175,000. By volunteering many, many hours of labor in renovating our fire station, you great guys saved Traer taxpayers approximately $40,000. You have unselfishly given time and effort in making this building what it is today, leaves the Traer community and its citizens deeply grateful to you.

September 1978 – At the Iowa Firemen’s Association Convention in Clear Lake the Traer Fire Department team of Don Schellhase, Mike Reuman, Lyle Buddenhagen and Lee Caslavka won the state championship waterfights. The Iowa Firemen’s Association organization celebrated their 100th convention at Clear Lake, Iowa.

October 7, 1979 – The Traer Fire Department celebrated 100 years of service with an open house at the fire station. Chief Shinn estimated the department served 600-700 people that morning at their pancake breakfast. The department also awarded savings bonds to young people participating in the fire prevention poster contest. A parade that included units from surrounding towns was held that afternoon. A demonstration of the new “Jaws of Life” was performed on a car after the parade. It took less than 15 minutes to dismantle the car, a means of freeing a trapped victim from a car accident. Dignitaries attending the 100th year celebration were Iowa Firemen’s Association President Ron Wilson of Storm Lake; 1st Vice President Ron Miller of Fairbank; 2nd Vice President Bruce Damgaard of Carson and Past President L. L. “Bud” Hollar of Tama.

April 18, 1980 – At 8:15 p.m. the Traer Fire Department responded to a fire call at Traer Implement. By the time the department had arrived on the scene, flames were already shooting up through the roof of the shop portion of the business. Assistance “Mutual Aid” was called from Reinbeck, Dysart and Hudson Fire Departments. During the fire, the four departments had to put up with exploding oil, ether and flammable liquids, stored in the shop area. Besides the liquids, the departments had to face the danger of an exploding air compressor and an LP gas line that broke when the roof of the shop area caved in. Luckily no one was injured. It was 9:30 p.m. when the departments got the fire under control. Some members of the Traer Fire Department stayed at the scene until 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 19. The cause of the fire, electrical wiring in a small shop office, was determined by an investigator from the State Fire Marshall’s office.

September 1980 – At the Iowa Firemen’s Association Convention in Cherokee the Traer Fire Department team of Marvin Boldt, Jay Owens, Dick Young and Delbert Boldt won the state championship waterfights.
Marvin Boldt was elected Fifth Vice-President of the Iowa Firemen’s Association.

April 2, 1981 – A Trash Fire Results in the Destruction of the Safely Place; A Tama County Landmark.
A North Tama County landmark was destroyed by fire on Thursday, April 2. Known by area residents as the “old Safely place”, the once “show place of northern Tama County”, took three fire departments to bring the fire under control. The call came in at 8:30 a.m. to come to the Safely place for a “garage fire”. By the time the fire department reached the Safely place the garage was destroyed and the house was on fire. According to Traer Fire Department Chief Shinn, a gas barrel and diesel fuel barrel located near the garage fueled the house fire. The department called for Mutual Aid from the Gladbrook and Toledo Fire Departments. After the fire was extinguished 20,000 gallons of water had been used and the Traer Fire Department had lost 300 feet of inch and a half hose to the fire. Shinn said sparks from the evergreen trees, near the garage, kept burning holes in the hose. He also said that about $100 worth of gasoline was used by the fire trucks running back and forth from the Safely place to Traer to get water. According to Traer Fire Department secretary Mike Reuman, two Traer firemen were injured in the fire and one Traer resident who was helping the department was injured. Firemen Lee Caslavka suffered a chipped bone in his left hand and Roger Edwards pulled ligaments in his knee. Traer resident Dan Young received a cut on the hand when he was trying to open up a “portable water tank”. All three men were treated at the North Tama Medical Center.

February 1983 – “Traer Fire Department Activates New Pager System” The Traer Fire Department added a new piece of equipment to the department on Monday, February 23. The equipment is a pager system, made available through the funding from an anonymous donor who earmarked the money for a pager system. The department purchased 24 pagers. Each fireman carries a pager with him at all times and receives word of the fire call through an encoder system that has been installed on the Traer Municipal Utilities base radio. Chief Shinn said that the pagers should increase the number of firemen at each call. Before the pagers were purchased the fire department used what was called the fire bar system where the light plant would ring all the firemen’s phones at the same time. The man at the light plant would then tell the firemen the location of the fire over the phone. That system cost the fire department about $100 a month. A fireman had to be home, near his phone, to know of a call. Besides the new pagers being purchased, some members of the fire department have been attending school. Eighteen firemen have just completed 12 hours of training in the first unit of Firefighter I Class. There are five units in the basic fire-training program with a total of 60 hours of training. Although the program is not mandatory, Chief Shinn believes that someday the program will be mandatory.
Two new hand held radios were purchased in 1983 from the proceeds of the department fundraisers. These will be used on the fire grounds or inside burning structures to keep communications open and firefighters safe.

September 1983 – At the Iowa Firemen’s Association Convention in Evansdale the Traer Fire Department team of Don Schellhase, Mike Reuman, Lyle Buddenhagen and Tom Neidick won the state championship waterfights.

October 7, 1983 – Smoke Detector Saves Lives, Buildings. A smoke detector and tin ceiling are credited with saving the upstairs apartment and possibly the lives of Delbert and Betty Boldt when fire broke out in their Sunnyside Tap on Second Street in Traer, early Friday morning, October 7. Another ten minutes would have been enough for the fire to get out of control and damage or destroy several businesses. The cause of the fire was a discarded cigarette, which had fallen into a beer case. The smoke detector woke Delbert 45 minutes after he had gone upstairs to bed. He thought the sound was a train but quickly realized there were no longer trains coming through Traer and he smelled the smoke. Delbert being a Traer fireman, knew enough not to open the door to the tavern until the fire department arrived on the scene. It was 1:00 a.m. when the department got the call and they called Dysart and Reinbeck for Mutual Aid. Firefighters were forced to crawl through the building wearing their air packs to where they had seen the flames from the window. The wood and cardboard created a lot of smoke and the tin ceiling held in the smoke and heat – saving the upstairs apartment. The confined heat melted bar lights, clocks and other plastics in the front of the tavern. There was extensive damage to the bar but the Boldts intend to open the bar as soon as things are repaired and cleaned.

December 1983 – Clark Wood was elected fire chief and served as chief through 1987.

June 1984 – Ralph Shinn received the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Community Service.

September 1984 – At the 106th Iowa Firemen’s Association Convention in Webster City, Mike Reuman of the Traer Fire Department, was elected Treasurer of the state association. He replaced retired Treasurer, Norman Squier, of Creston.

September 1985 – At the 107th Iowa Firemen’s Association Convention in Tama, Marvin Boldt of the Traer Fire Department, was elected President of the state association.

1986 – First Grass Fire Pick-up purchased by the Traer Fire Department to speed up response time to grass fires. This truck held 250 gallons of water.

June 1986 – Lee Owens received the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Community Service.
September 1986 – At the Iowa Firemen’s Association Convention in Clear Lake the Traer Fire Department team of Marvin Boldt, Dick Young, Jay Owens and LeRoy Wood won the state championship waterfights.

October 1986 – Rural Mapping Initiated for all rural Tama County so response time could be minimized for all emergency services in the county.

October 1986 – The North Tama High School stairwells and halls were filled with artificial smoke to teach students, faculty, administration and firefighters what to do in case there ever was a fire in the building. Much was learned during this event.

1987 – New Air Compressor purchased to fill oxygen tanks for air packs that allow firefighters to enter smoke-filled buildings.

September 1987 – At the Iowa Firemen’s Association Convention in Maquoketa the Traer Fire Department team of Marvin Boldt, Jay Owens, Dick Young and Delbert Boldt won the state championship waterfights.

Don Schellhase was elected fire chief in December of 1987 and remained chief through 1990.

April 1, 1988 – Some of the Traer Fire Department Standard Operating Guidelines were:
1. Two men in each truck before leaving the station.
2. No riding on back or sides to fire calls.
3. Go to station before going to fire.
4. Wear turn out gear to all calls.
5. 3 men in rescue truck before leaving the station.
6. Do not drive fire truck if you can’t operate the pump.
7. Go into fires in two’s.

September 1988 – At the Iowa Firemen’s Association convention in Des Moines (Delaware Twp. Hosted the convention at the State Fair Grounds) Traer Fire Department beat out Cherokee Fire Department in the vote to host the 112th Iowa Firemen’s Association convention in 1990. Also the Traer Fire Department team of Don Schellhase, Mike Reuman, Lyle Buddenhagen and Ron Angel won the state championship waterfights.

June 1989 – Marvin Boldt received the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Community Service.

August 5, 1989 – At the Iowa Firemen’s Association board meeting in Dyersville, Mike Reuman brought up the idea of pursuing some type of Firefighters Memorial for Iowa. Robert Platz, President of the Iowa Firemen’s Association appointed Reuman as chairman of the committee. Nineteen firefighters formed a committee for the establishment of the Iowa Firefighters Memorial.

September 1989 – At the Iowa Firemen’s Association Convention in Harlan the Traer Fire Department team of Don Schellhase, Mike Reuman, Lyle Buddenhagen and Ron Angel won the state championship waterfights.

In 1990 the Traer Fire Department and the Traer community had the honor of hosting the 112th Iowa Firemen’s Association Convention. This was a five-day event held September 5 – 9, 1990. The department campaigned for the convention in 1988 and had two years to prepare for it. A campground was built in a field on the west edge of Traer to hold the many campers pulling in for the five-day event. A lack of motel rooms close by made the campground a community. Over 2,000 firefighters and their families attended the convention, which was a major undertaking for the 24-member fire department and a community of 1,500 people. The convention was a great success thanks to all the volunteers in our community! To top off the big week, the Traer Fire Department waterfight team of Don Schellhase, Mike Reuman, Lyle Buddenhagen and Ron Angel won the state championship waterfights and the “Best Squirts” plaque given out each year by Mrs. “Kreg” Cox in memory of her late husband, Bill Cox, Founder of the Iowa Smoke-Eater newspaper who died in 1970.

July 1991 – Traer firemen displayed some of the $9,200 worth of equipment purchased with profits from the Iowa Firemen’s Association Convention hosted by Traer in 1990. The equipment, mostly used for accident extrication, included an electric power unit, ram manifold, and a new combination cutter and Jaws of Life. The firemen purchased the equipment to benefit the community, since the community played such a big part in hosting the convention.

LeRoy Wood served as chief from 1991 through 1993

February 1993 – Norwalk High School jazz band of 25 members, their directors and some parents spent the night at the Traer Fire Station. They were fresh from a first-place performance at the Tall Corn Jazz Festival at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. They left Cedar Falls at 6 p.m. and drove smack into a winter storm. Traer firefighters were returning from a house fire and when they heard of the dilemma, they invited them to stay overnight at the fire station. They were all treated to a free movie at the Traer Theatre and the Traer firemen returned to the station the next morning and fed them all breakfast before they headed out on the road back home to Norwalk.

September 1993 – At the Iowa Firemen’s Association Convention in Monticello the Traer Fire Department team of Don Schellhase, Mike Reuman, Lyle Buddenhagen and Ron Angel won the state championship waterfights.

February 10, 1994 – At 7:35 a.m. Sunday morning, February 6, smoke billowed from the old Farmers Lumber Company building, which now houses four apartments. The fire itself was located in the apartment occupied by Claude Byford, which was next to the Old Produce building. Joe and Dorothy Weida own the building. The fire was located in the ceiling of the apartment. Traer Fire Department called for Mutual Aid from Gladbrook, Dysart, Hudson and Toledo Fire Departments. The fire was contained by 11:00 a.m. Firefighter’s wives made coffee, hot chocolate and sandwiches and served it out of the rescue truck. It was late afternoon before firefighters returned to their homes. The high temperature for that day was 25 degrees.

April 10, 1994 – Several Traer firefighters attended the dedication of the Iowa Firefighters Memorial in Coralville, Iowa. The site consists of a statue of a firefighter carrying a small child down a ladder; a granite wall for names of deceased firefighters who served 10 or more years on an Iowa fire department and the center section of the wall is for Iowa firefighters who died in the line of duty. A memorial building is also on the memorial site and has display cases for historical items and Iowa fire department patches.

August 4, 1994 – “Switch Over Monday To New 911 System”. Beginning Monday, Aug. 8, Traer citizens and area residents should dial 911 for all emergency situations (fire, ambulance, and sheriff).

September 1994 – At the Iowa Firemen’s Association Convention in West Des Moines the Traer Fire Department team of Marvin Boldt, Larry Nachazel, Jay Owens and Larry Staker won the state championship waterfights.

December 1994 – Ron Angel elected fire chief and served as chief through 1998.

July 1995 – Traer firefighter Jay Owens came up with the idea of Traer hosting a National Waterfight Championship. It was an attempt to start up a town celebration again, as Traer no longer had it’s popular Czech Folk Fest. The first year there were 80 teams from 5 different states competing but the second year only 30 teams participated. In the fall of 1996 the Winding Stairs Festival was organized by a group of people representing 16 different organizations in Traer. The fire department had a food stand, which served the ever-popular bratwurst sandwiches throughout the Czech Folk Fests and has done the same at all eight of the Winding Stairs Festivals thus far. The profits from the bratwurst stand, annual pancake breakfast, annual fish fry, annual dance, poker runs in recent years and donations have helped the firefighters purchase needed equipment for the department.

The Traer Fire Department has always been a strong promoter of FIRE PREVENTION. Grade school students have participated in fire prevention poster contests for many years. The Traer firefighters go to the North Tama School classrooms during Fire Prevention Week in October each year and teach the students how to prevent fires and how to prepare an escape from fire in their home and the stop, drop and roll if their clothes catch on fire. They show them what a firefighter looks like in their full turn out gear so they aren’t afraid of the firefighters if they have to be rescued from their homes. They do the same at the preschool.
Second grade students visit the fire station and see how their teacher looks in firefighter gear and then they are given a tour of the fire station and treated to cookies and a video. The big treat is their ride back to school on top of the fire truck. On some occasions Smokey the Bear has joined them. Operation “EDITH” is a big part of the Fire Prevention Week program. “EDITH” stands for Exit Drill In The Home.

Junior Firefighters
In 1994 the Traer Fire Department started a Junior Firefighter Program. North Tama High School students who are 17 years of age and interested in the fire service may participate in this program if approved by the officers of the department. Traer’s Junior Firefighters: 1994 Cory Schellhase, 1995 Jay Reuman, 1998 Bradley Boldt, 2000 Sean Lyons, 2001 Ryan Currens, 2002 Kyle Fuller, 2003 Stephan Herker, 2004 Jonathan Owens.
(Note from 2004: Cory Schellhase earned his Fire Science Degree and is a Professional Firefighter in North Carolina, Jay Reuman & Ryan Currens are now on the Traer Fire Department.)

December 1999 – Jim Currens was elected chief and continues to serve in that position to date.

September 2004 – Traer Firefighter Mike Reuman retired as Treasurer of the Iowa Firemen’s Association at the 126th Iowa Firemen’s Association convention in Manchester. Mike has been Treasurer of the state association for the past 20 years.

2004 – The Iowa Fire and Emergency Response Council is attempting to make firefighter training mandatory.

2004 – equipment in the Traer Fire Station includes a 1996 city pumper, 1992 rural pumper, 1989, 1997 and 2001 rural tankers, a 1990 rescue truck, 1986 and 1989 grass fire pick-ups. Pumpers today may cost over $100,000, tankers cost over $80,000, and Grass Fire Trucks will cost around $50,000.

2004- New grass fire pick-up purchased.

2005 Current officers: Jim Currens, Chief; Larry Nachazel, Assistant Chief; Bill Huntley, Secy-Treas; John Novak, Captain; Terry Timmons, Lieutenant.