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History 1873 - 1884

On June 6, 1873, a meeting was called by Chief Nafie at which another consolidation was effected under the name of the "Hawkeye Hose & Ladder Company" of Des Moines, which created a new Fire Department having two divisions and embracing the entire City, with "Hawkeye Hose & Ladder Company" constituting Division No. 1. This was authorized by City Ordinance. On June 16, 1873, the organization of Division No. 2was completed as the "Fellowship Hose Company".

The Fire Department seems to have functioned under this form of organization until the establishment of the paid Fire Department in February, 1883, during which time Chief Nafie was succeeded in order by Chiefs C.T. Hahnan, Jacob Stroll, Ream C. Johnson who was elected in 1876, John McGuire in 1878, W.A. Mosier in 1880 and Ream C. Johnson who was again made Chief in 1882 and held that office at the time the paid Fire Department was established and continued as Chief until 1892. In 1883 the Fire Chief was paid $1,000.00 a year; Assistant Chief $900.00 a year and $50.00 a month to 15 Firemen.

The paid Fire Department, as organized in 1883, had seventeen men on the payroll, two fire stations, one on the west side and one on the east side of the river, and equipment consisting of two hose carts and a small chemical engine and a ladder truck.