A Fire Department Is Needed
Barco Chemical Company on the corner of Vandalia Road and South Pleasant Hill Boulevard unwittingly showed the need for a real Pleasant Hill fire department. In September of 1958, the chemical company's warehouse blew up. "Drums and flames were shooting forty feet into the air," said Ralph Grant. Grant was on Pleasant Hill Blvd. driving the school bus when the fire started. Without any equipment of its own, Pleasant Hill had to rely on Altoona for fire protection. The plant was a total loss.
The following year, on July 28, 1959, the city council paid $1,000 for a used fire engine. The 1937 truck came from Clarinda. Pleasant Hill now had some equipment to fight fires but no one to operate the equipment.
On October 5, 1959, a Pleasant Hill community meeting was held to form a fire department. Some of those in attendance were Ellis Monk, Murry Witzenburg, Vic Peterson, John Fogel, Charles Vance, Alvin Peterson, Jim Bianchi, Ralph Grant, Dwayne Fredregill, Cliff Lex, Ernie Voshell, and Hank Grant. At this meeting it was decided to form a permanent fire committee and choose its members. Ralph Grant as Pleasant Hill fire chief. Ray Davis was assistant chief and Hank Grant was secretary. Also on the committee, as board members were John Fogel and Ivan Sharp.
Ralph Grant's and Ray Davis' names were submitted to the town council for approval. On October 29, 1959 the council approved of the new chief and assistant chief. The young department then drew up papers of incorporation and by-laws of operation. It was decided that the department would
The creation of law enforcement was also a major accomplishment of the council. In June of 1958 Fred Arpy was hired by the town to be maintenance superintend and town marshall. He used his own car for patrolling the town's eight streets. The following year: Norman Strayer was hired to act as town marshall. He was also appointed dog catcher. Again, the marshall used his own car. There was no police station. Anyone arrested had to be taken to the county jail in Des Moines. Finally, on October 9, 1959, the town purchased a red station wagon fully equipped as a police car. Ten days later Robert V. Eike was sworn in as an assistant marshall.
The town was founded as the result of controversy and started slowly. However, once the tax revenues from its industrial base of Ipalco started coming in, the town council began providing for the Citizens. Not every service was available, but either they were there, being built, or planned. Fire and police protection had been established. A recreational area, Doanes Park, was purchased. An orderly pattern of growth was started. Water was being negotiated with the city of Des Moines. A sewage system and plant were being planned. The key to the town's later success was the vision of the early mayors and councilmen to provide for growth.