The Ames Fire Department was organized June 12, 1895 as a volunteer fire department. C.H. Glidden was the first fire chief over eight firemen known as the Ames Hose Company. Equipment purchased was one hose cart. Hand equipment was purchased in 1891 with little or no use until after the department was organized in 1895.
The water system at the time consisted of a wooden tower and tank located on city hall grounds. Ames had three fire hydrants on Main Street. Soon the number of volunteers rose to the mid-twenties.
In 1900 the Ames Hose Company changed their name to the Ames Volunteer Fire Company. Growth and development of the company brought about the need for special duties at fires. By 1970 they had established roles for nozzle men, hydrant men, and line handlers. For the first time they wore gear. They had rubber coats and "regulation" fire helmets. The rolling hose cart was finally replaced in 1910 when a horse drawn fire wagon with hose and ladders was purchased.
The Ames Fire Company became the Ames Fire Department in 1915. Sleeping quarters were established for the volunteers in the brand new city hall building. That year the department's first paid fireman was hired.
1916 saw the purchase of the first motorized fire engine. In 1922, L.R. Morris became the first fire chief and the first ladder truck was acquired. With city council approval, the Ames Fire Department became a paid department in 1924.
Fire Station Two was established in west Ames in 1932. The need for protection in the Iowa State University campus area facilitated the expansion. I.S.U. furnished quarters under the old Clyde Williams Stadium. In 1966 a new fire station was built at the current site of Welch Avenue and Chamberlain Street. Excavation work, which was in progress to the north, led to the collapse of part of the station in 1969. The station was repaired, and the property to the north was named the Cave Inn Lounge.
Clint Petersen is currently our sixth chief since 1895. His predecessors are L.R. Morris, Sam Long, Kenny Taylor, Ralph Parks and Mike Childs.
On October 26, 1980 the City of Ames dedicated Fire Station One and Headquarters, located at the corner of 13th Street and Burnett Avenue. On October 25th, 2002 Ames dedicated Fire Station Three, located in south Ames at 2400 S. Duff Avenue.
The Ames Fire Department consists of fifty-two uniformed personnel; one Chief Officer, two Deputy Chiefs, three Captains, nine Lieutenants, thirty-six Fire Fighters and one Fire Inspector.
The Ames Fire Department has been expanding its' duties over the years due to the changing needs of the Ames community. The majority of our department has been licensed as First Responders due to the increase in medical calls to which we respond. Auto-Extrication is another area of extensive training. The department also has a Hazardous Materials Support Unit, which assists various departments throughout the greater Story County area. All A.F.D. personnel are registered as HAZ-MAT Technicians. In addition to these areas of specialization, we are trained in high angle rope rescue, confined space rescue, ice rescue and trench rescue.