Timeline: Milestones For The Woodbury FD

In its efforts to recognize 50 years of battling blazes in Woodbury, the fire department put together a list of some of its more memorable milestones.

Woodbury Township writes fire protection agreement with St. Paul Park Fire Department.

First housing development built; fire protection agreement written with East County Line Fire Department for northwest corner of city. Note: East Co. Line is now Maplewood Fire and the fire station that would have served the NW corner would have been at Hwy. 120 and Stillwater Rd. Maplewood Station #1.

“Garage fire” reported as “grass fire”; Woodbury Civic Organization begins looking at starting a fire department.

Woodbury Fire Department incorporates and begins to serve the city.

From the Aug. 1, 1961, department meeting minutes with six men present. Larry Bostow was elected Fire Chief, Robert Kane Asst. Fire Chief, Howard Radke Secretary and Ken Wolterstroff as Treasure. The other two men present were Grover Kraemer and Corwin Biebighauser.

First annual Fireman's Ball and Bear Feed at Woodbury Community Center.

From the March 16, 1962, department minutes: Chief Larry Bostow reported that St. Paul Park Fire Dept. had an engine and pumper for sale for a price of $500. Note: There are a number of different references in the 1962 minutes pertaining to apparatus that different departments have for sale with motions to look into purchasing, but were not really sure which were purchased... Minneapolis Fire had two American LaFrance truck for sale, Lakeville has one truck.  

From the May 9, 1963 department minutes: Walt Moore and Dick Orth gave reports from the Fire Station Building Committee—Walt Moore reported on the new plans presented on a steel frame building for a cost of $9,247, size 50' by 40'. This is just the building no heat, plumbing or electric. Dick Orth reported that we could build a concrete building for $5.75 per sq. ft. or $11,040, includes everything but paint.

At the Oct. 14, 1963 department meeting it was announced that phone number 739-5200 was being held for the new fire station.

Woodbury buys a 1946 Ford 500 gpm pumper from Lake Johanna Fire Department for $3,500. Terms are $500 down, $750 per year at 5.5 percent interest until it's paid for. (Dec. 17, 1963 meeting minutes)

Fire Dept. invited to attend Capitol City Fireman's Association annual meeting and training at Lake Elmo station. (Aug. 8, 1963 minutes)

The Woodbury Fire Dept. Auxillary was offically formed.

Womens Auxillary holds first fund raising event held—Bake Sale.

"Grand Opening" set for Jan. 18, 1964—Woodbury's first fire station on Upper Afton Road is open for business. Up until this time, members stored fire apparatus at their homes.

Fire Dept. joins Wakota Mutual Aid Association. (Feb. 18, 1964 meeting minutes)

Women's Auxillary makes donation of $300 to Fire Department to put towards purchase of it's first Scott Air Paks.

Women's Auxillary holds first annual Spagetti Dinner.

Women's Auxillary holds its first Bazaar and Fun Fest.

Women's Auxillary gives a donation of $600 toward final payment on the first two Scott Air Paks.

Women's Auxillary holds luncheon style show to raise funds.

Women's Auxillary purchases a (Swede) k-12 rescue saw for the fire department.

Women's Auxillary holds 2nd annual Bake Sale and Fun Fest

Women's Auxillary makes another $600 donation to the fire department.

Plans to added onto the Afton Road fire station discussed. Only one bid received $11,900.62 for the addition, does not include the proposed hose tower. (Aug. 14, 1967 minutes) 

Fire Department participates in .

First annual Woodbury Fire Department Childrens Chrismas Party held on Dec. 23 at the Afton Rd Fire Station. All of the firefighters had young children, so a resident from Park Hills sat in for Santa Clause.

The first “real” fire truck is purchased—a 1969 Howe Defender with Cincinnati cab and diesel engine (third diesel delivered to Twin Cities)… RED!

Fire Department agrees to staff ambulance service for Woodbury Ambulance Council.

The first application to be a firefighter from a women was received. The fire department reacted by changing the bylaws and constitution to reflect that a person needs to be an adult male to be a member to the fire department.

New City Hall completed; includes city’s second fire station; second ambulance placed in service.

Delivery of 1976 Howe/LTI 85' aerial. Unit is painted lime yellow with white cab. Sets standard for all future deliveries.

Fire department purchases first of two mini-pumpers from General Safety. Truck is on a Ford L-8000 Chassis with a standard two-person cab, a 1000 gpm pump w/500 gallons on water and room for three to ride on the tailboard. 

Fire department purchases it's first Hurst Tool. The Port-a-Power toolss remain in service as back-up rescue tools. 

Mike Reber appointed fire marshal, city’s first full-time fire employee.

Fire Department purchases second mini-pumper. Same design as the 1978 engine, but this one has a diesel engine.

Fire department decides to stop providing ambulance service to South Oakdale.

Chief Jerry Rosendahl resigns to take a fulltime Asst. Fire Chiefs position with Hastings Fire Department. Phil Halper elected Fire Chief to replace Rosendahl.

Cal Richardson, Ray Southward and Harris Rogers retire from fire department. They are the first Woodbury firefighters to retire with 20 years of service.

Fire Department hires Julie Sedlock and Christina Lopez as first female firefighters.

Fire department hires first part-time secretary.

Firefighter/EMTs trained to provide intermediate life support skills AEDs and IVs.

After almost 10 years, fire department votes to return to red color for fire trucks. However, the use of white and red can’t be decided, so the rigs stay yellow by default.

Fire department purchases a 1986 demo fire Pumper from Custom Fire. This unit replaces on of the 1978 mini-pumper which is traded-in. Demo Pumper is red, but it was painted lime green.

Fire department purchases new fire engine. This is a twin to the 1986 engine and an addition to the fleet. 

Third fire station completed; third ambulance placed in service.

Headquarters fire station remodeled. Former City Hall becomes Public Safety building.

Fire chiefs elected for two-year term instead of one.

Corporation sells assets to city, dissolves.

First full-time fire fhief hired—Ken Southorn.

Reber retires, Kevin Mahle named fire marshal.

Dispatching switched to Washington County after years of service from Maplewood PD. Switch is done to aid communications for the two-tiered advanced life support system.

Department receives twin pumpers. Two new Ford Custom Fire Full Response Crew Cab, 1,500 gpm, 750 gallon engines delivered.

Advanced Life Support program implemented. The program is a two-tiered program, with ALS provided by police officer/paramedics and BLS provided by fire department EMTs.

Southorn resigns. Mike Richardson named acting fire chief.

Police-Paramedic program is implemented.

July 1, Public Safety Department created, reorganization takes place, Mike Richardson named Fire Chief, Kevin Mahle appointed Sr. Division Commander (Assistant Fire Chief Responsibilities), Jim Allen and Russ Hawkinson appointed paid-on-call Division Commanders.

Fire department takes delivery of a new pumper/tanker. This is the first CAF's pumper delivered in Minnesota. It's red.

Construction of fourth fire station planned at Woodbury Drive and Fox Run Road. Afton Road Station due to be replaced.

City hires fulltime firefighter/fire inspector

City hires two full-time firefighters.

The is opened.

The is replaced with a new building.

Fire Department takes delivery of a 75' Telesqurt which was built be General Safety. This is a twin to a Maplewood truck, both were purchased under the same bid. 

Fire department takes delivery a new fire pumper. This truck has a new short wheelbase design with a rear mounted pump, roll-up doors on a Spartan chassis. 

Fire department receives a Fire Act Grant to replace SCBA's.

Fire department takes delivery of a second new pumper, a twin to the 2003 delivery. Both trucks were built by General Safety.

Fire Department takes deilvery of a new 100' Ladder Platform built by Pierce. This truck replaces the old 1976 Howe 85' Aerial.

The is replaced with a new building.

Fire department takes delivery of a new low profile mini-pumper. This unit is set-up with a CAF's pump system.

New Statewide 800 MHz Radio System goes live in Washington County.

Radio Drive Fire Station renovated.