The City of Hermosa Beach was incorporated in 1907 and with this incorporation, the city council created a volunteer fire chief position. Clement L. "Bob" Reinbolt was appointed as the first fire chief and he in turn hired four volunteer firefighters. Their first fire engine was a horse drawn, 2-wheeled cart that carried a small amount of hose, 2 axes, and one bucket. As time passed, the small city became more populated with homes and small businesses, which increased the need for better fire protection.

In 1914, the city hall was built on the 1200 block of Hermosa Avenue which became the residence of the official fire and police departments. Due to the poor water supply system in the city, it became necessary to purchase a chemical fire truck and thus, the city purchased a new Broackway chemical fire truck. Chief Reinbolt continued to sign up more young men as volunteer firefighters.

Chief Reinbolt resigned in 1922 and the city maintenance manager, Clark Sergeant, took over as the new fire chief. In 1923, the city was issued a bond, which allowed them to purchase a state-of-the-art 1923 Seagrave fire truck with a 75-gallon chemical tank, a siren for the station, and 39 fire hydrants. That same year, the first mutual aid agreement was established. This was mostly due to the fact that the City of Ocean Park, 12 miles away, called on the Hermosa Beach Fire Department for support on a large fire that involved 2 piers and the waterfront. This mutual aid support was given much praise throughout the fire service, news media, and public across the country. In 1924, the city agreed to pay all volunteer firefighters one dollar for every training session and fire they participated in.

In 1932, Ernie Haas was appointed as fire chief and was paid twenty-five dollars a month for his services. Chief Haas increased the size of the volunteer firefighters to 18 and asked the police department to play a big role in fire responses. In fact, the police department desk sergeants were assigned as the engineers, the drivers of the fire truck. Their job also consisted of sounding the siren to notify the volunteers of a fire.

In 1948, the city council received enough money to buy a new 1948 Seagrave fire engine. This engine was the pride of the city and soon enough, the volunteers were known as the "fathers of the city". Chief Haas died in a plane crash in 1950 and Fred Kelterer was unanimously appointed as the new fire chief. Chief Kelterer became one of the biggest historical figures in the Hermosa Beach fire department. Chief Kelterer grew up in Hermosa Beach and was the only member of the fire department who had worked in every position of the department, working his way from volunteer firefighter to fire chief. Chief Kelterer worked for the Hermosa Beach Fire Department from 1928 to 1964, devoting 35 years to the city. It was in 1954 that the chief's position became a full-time, 40 hour per week paid position. As the population of the city dramatically increased, the city council and Chief Kelterer agreed it was time to establish the department as a full-time, paid fire department.

In 1957, ten men where hired as full-time firefighters and worked a two-platoon shift system (5 on a, 5 on b). A new fire and police station was built in 1959 and is located where it stands today, 540 Pier Avenue. In 1961, the department purchased another new engine, which was very different from the past engines. It was, of course, more technologically advanced but more importantly, it was white. Chief Kelterer consulted color theorists who believed that white was more noticeable than the traditional red. Thus, Chief Kelterer set the trend that has now become a tradition of buying white fire engines. This trend still exists today.

In 1964, the position of assistant chief was created and Captain James Black, from the Covina Fire Department, was appointed to the position. That same year, Chief Kelterer suffered a massive heart attack while responding to a structure fire and died on scene. The community mourned the loss of this great man, who during his tenure as chief achieved so much for the department and the city of Hermosa Beach. 1964 also marks the year of big changes in the fire service. For example, changes were made to incorporate full-time positions, add more advanced equipment, and restructure the receiving and dispatching of calls.

TO BE CONTINUED....