History

Beginnings
The Le Mars Fire Department was organized July 3, 1882 by Ordinance No. 21 (31). At that time the department was made up of 4 fire companies located in different locations within the city:
  • Gateway Hose Company
  • Hook and Ladder Company
  • Phoenix Hose Company
  • Southside Hose Company
Le Mars Fire Department, 1904 Summer Carnival
Le Mars Fire Department, 1904 Summer Carnival
Consolidation
In 1928 (adopted 5th day of April) the Le Mars Fire Department consolidated from 4 fire companies to 1 company.

Name Change
By the late 1900s the name of the department was changed from Le Mars Fire Department to Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department.

Former Fire Chiefs
Fire Chiefs work under the theme of "Where Duty Calls, You'll Find Us."
  • Herman R. Becker Sr., 1926 - 1939/1940 - 1946 (19 years)
  • Ray Atwood, 1939 - 1940 (1 year)
  • Dow Danbrink, 1946 -1957 (11 years)
  • Herman Becker Jr. 1957 - 1966/1967 - 1969/1970 - 1974 (15 years)
  • Len Harrison, 1966 - 1967 (1 year)
  • Earl Bogen, 1969 - 1970 (1 year)
  • Fritz Heissel, 1974 - 1978 (4 years)
  • Pete Stoos, 1978 - 1983 (5 years)
  • Wayne Schipper, 1983 - 2010 (27 years) - Appointed 1st full time chief in 1990
  • David Schipper, July 2010 - present