Discovery Bay Volunteer Fire Department
Jefferson Count Fire District #5

            History 1969-1977

A big thank you to Esther Johnson for all the work she did in compiling this history.

1969

• A group of residents decided that the Community needed a Fire Department so several people from the community got together and formed one. Some of the early people involved were George Brown, John Brown, Chet Northup and Dutch Barrett.
• The first Fire Chief was George Brown and they held their meetings in the old Jefferson County garage next to the old schoolhouse on E Uncas Road.

1970

• They received their charter for the Discovery Bay Volunteer Fire Department.
• Their first Fire Engine was acquired through the Civil Defense from the Mount Rainier Ordinance and several more people had joined the Volunteer ranks.
• Herman Pearson, Don Leakey, Norm Robinson, Don Pierce, Buddy Nebel and Chuck Wilson were just a few that joined the ranks.
• The first Commissioner's were Herman Pearson, Don Scott and Kenneth Giard and the Secretary was Marjorie Pearson.

1971

• They acquired a second building in Gardiner it was the old Mattress Factory (Antique Shop now), next to the Old Gardiner Grocery Store which is where Birds Unlimited is now.

1972

• In 1972 a major fund raiser was started, when the First Discovery Bay Fishing Derby was held. It was quickly nick-named the "Iron Man's Derby" as it was held on the three day President's Day week-end in February. It was started to help purchase new equipment and for training the Volunteers.

1976

• They adopted their By-Laws for Jefferson County Fire District #5-Discovery Bay Volunteer Fire Department.
• George Brown resigned as the Fire Chief and George Davis, Jr. was appointed Fire Chief.
• New Firemen Mack Burleson, James Warner, Orin Yates and Bud Brown joined the ranks as Volunteers.

1977

• George Davis resigned as Fire Chief and Chet Northup and Walt Moore were both appointed Assistant Chief s until a new Chief could be appointed.
• Kenneth Giard, Donald Scott and Herman Pearson were still the Commissioners and Marjorie Pearson was still the District Secretary.
• The final payment of $2,775.62 for the Gardiner Fire Hall was paid.
• They purchased some RCA 2-way radios at a cost of$2,174.73.
• An Auxiliary was formed in 1977. Their objectives were to support the Fire Department and do Fund Raisers. They started with making a quilt to raffle off. They also helped at the Salmon Derby with coffee and sandwiches at the Chuck Wagon.
• Kenneth Giard and Hermann Pearson resigned as Commissioners.

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