History Of The Council Bluffs (IA) Fire Department

Background and Significance The Council Bluffs (IA) Fire Department has a long, rich history of providing quality emergency response services to its citizens. The department was formed on January 5, 1883, by resolution of the city council to establish a full-time, paid department (Petersen, 1992). This resolution came after numerous devastating fires exceeded the capabilities of the several volunteer fire companies that had protected the city during the previous 29 years. In 1918, the firefighters of the CBFD organized and became a charter member of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) forming Local 15. Membership with the IAFF is an affiliation that the labor force of the CBFD still maintains today. During the mid-20th century, the CBFD continued to grow, adding personnel and stations as the population of the city expanded. In 1950, the leadership of the CBFD recognized the potential value of fire safety education and began staffing a fire prevention bureau for the first time in its history. By 1970, the …show more content…
The fire safety house features a classroom, kitchen, and bedroom for students to learn about fire prevention, cooking safety, and severe weather events. In addition to the fire safety house, the fire marshal’s division has utilized animatronic props and inflatable suits to promote the fire safety message. The fire safety and prevention programs provided by the members of the CBFD serve 16 local schools covering pre-kindergarten through 5th grade. Also, programs are delivered to private daycares and a homeschool cooperative that include children of all ages. In 2015, fire safety and prevention programs reached a total of 5,900 kids (5,678 schools, 140 daycares, 42 homeschool). The CBFD also provides both junior high and high school explorers programs to approximately 30 teenagers