A Look Back

Coralville Fire Department's History

The Coralville Volunteer Fire Department was organized on December 2, 1929. It consisted of a chief, an assistant chief, and 12 firefighters. 

First Apparatus

The first piece of apparatus was a used two-wheeled hose cart and 1,000 feet of hose. An early City ordinance read, “The Fire Chief, at the time of the fire, may require any owner of any team of horses or automobile or any citizen to assist in hauling firefighting apparatus to a fire.”
 

First Fire House

The first fire house was rented from a local citizen for $3 per month. In 1937, a new two-stall fire station was built across the street from City Hall, then located on 2nd Avenue, for $965.  The Department purchased their first fire truck that year.

In 1969, the City annexed the Oakdale area, and the Oakdale Fire Department’s 1953 pumper was turned over to the Coralville Fire Department. In 1967 the Department was moved into the building on 5th Street which presently houses the Coralville Police Department. 

Current Stations

In 1985, Station 1, located at 1501 5th Street, was built and occupied. The Department continued to grow, and in November 2009 construction of Station 2, located at 2525 Holiday Court, was complete. An two-story addition and renovations to Station 1 were complete in 2013. View the fire stations