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Orland Volunteer Fire Department
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ABOUT OVFD
Located in the town of Orland, California, in the heart of the Sacramento Valley, the Orland Volunteer Fire Department serves both the City of Orland, and the Rural areas surrounding Orland. The Rural District extends to the Tehama County line on the North, Black Butte Lake to the West, Road 25 to the South, and to the area of Stony Creek to the East. OVFD responds to many mutual aid requests from surrounding districts like Capay, Artois, CDF, and Hamilton City.
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HISTORY
The Orland Volunteer Fire Department was formed in 1911 following a devastating fire which destroyed much of the downtown business district on the West side of Fourth Street. The first Chief was Phil Noerager and had twenty-two charter members. Buckets were the first equipment used by the newly organized department, with each member supplying his own. The first pieces of equipment acquired in 1912 were a hose cart and a hook and ladder cart. In 1921, the department recieved its first motor driven fire truck, a 1-1/2 ton Reo.
Orland came near burning up on the night of August 20, 1925, when the old landmark, the Kandy Korner, a relic of the days of wooden buildings, located at the corner of Fifth and Walker, went up in flames. The fire threatened the entire block.
In 1927, the widow of A.B. Sanford, a former department Chief, handed the members of the Orland Fire Department a donation on behalf of A.B. to start a fund for the construction of a permanent home for the department. Donations and proud support of this kind still happen today for many different reasons and are the foundations of our Volunteer Fire Department.
Over the years the Fire Department headquarters were in any vacant garage stall that could be found. These locations include Mecum's Garage, Nock's Garage (Traveler's Garage), Gay's Garage, Thompsons Garage (old Bucke's Market Building), and the Harrison Restaurant and Saloon. It wasn't until 1942 that the City of Orland picked the site for the fire house, and finally in 1952 construction began. In 1954 the firehouse was dedicated and continues at it's present site at Fifth and Colusa Streets.
In 1935 the Orland Rural Fire Department was formed with a 1935 International Truck as their first piece of equipment. The City and Rural equipment continue to be manned by the same volunteers, thus providing fire protection to the city and surrounding areas.
In 1939, Orland was the site for the California State Fireman's Association Convention. Harry Strawn was the Chief at the time. The event included a parade with the town band, and the construction of a hose and ladder drill tower, built at Fifth and Swift Streets, where the old Stony Creek Saloon stood.
Orland had three disastrous fires in the spring of 1947. St. Dominic's Catholic Church, one of Orland's oldest buildings, and a landmark since the 1880's was gutted by fire. On April 26th the Safeway Store was badly damaged, and on June 11, the Shell warehouse South of town went up in Flames.
Orland made big city newspaper headlines as being in near a smoldering ruin when a $100,000 fire on June 4, 1955, wiped out the Macy Lumber Yard on North Fifth Street, and adjoining house, and gutted the Orland Laundry at Fifth and Tehema Streets. Orland firemen were aided by surrounding departments from Willows, Corning, Hamilton City, and a number of privately owned fire fighting trucks.
For a number of years the whistle at the Golden State Creamery told the volunteers and anxious citizens which direction to look for smoke. One blast of the whistle meant look to the North, and three to the South.
Both the City and Rural have aggresively kept up with the purchase of new engines, and equipment. That combined with constant training by the Volunteers continues to make the Orland Volunteer Fire Department top notch.
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FUNDRAISERS
The Orland Volunteer Fire Department has two major fundraisers, the Spaghetti Feed, and the Fireman's Ball.
The Spaghetti Feed is held the beginning of February. The money raised by this is used exclusively for equipment, such as new Jaws of Life Tools, and Rescue Gear. The first Spaghetti Feed was held in 1955 in the dining area of the old Orlando Cocktail Lounge at Fourth and Walker Streets. There were approximately 175 people who ate and all the proceeds went to the March of Dimes. After three years the feed was moved to the firehouse, and continues there to this day. The feed has become a part of the Community Calender as both a good meal, and get-together. The proceeds were donated to deserving groups until the mid 1970's, when the money was dedicated to the first Jaws of Life. This was the first Jaws in Northern California.
The first Fireman's Ball was held in March 1912. Admission was $2.50 per couple. This included one sandwich, pie and coffee. The first Ball showed a profit of $14. The Ball has carried the St. Patrick Day theme ever since. Currently, the department divides up into two teams, the South (Green) Team, and the North (Red) Team. The dividing line is Walker Street. For the two weeks before the Ball, the two teams go door to door, asking for donations. The team that raises the most is the winner, and gets a plaque for the year. The losing team gets "The Penalty" which is delivered in downtown Orland. This can be anything from dragging an outhouse through town to kissing a pig. Jack Bucke, longtime fireman, usually comes up with these. He always has something up his sleeve. Remember, GO NORTH TEAM.
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