Our History

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Until 1915 the principal character in firefighting throughout San Mateo County was a man on a horseback who shouted his warning to the villagers as he headed for the fire. Just before 1920, San Mateo County, under the direction of Mr. Werder, furnished one old Dodge panel truck to help area residents fight fires. Mrs. Werder acted as dispatcher and when help was needed all sorts of people were rounded up out of pool halls and even inmates of the County jail and were pressed into service to help with the fire. Local ranchers were old time fire fighters and were used as leaders. They would be given 10 men with wet sacks, shovels, and a hose to control fires. James Neuman’s general store in Woodside was staffed with men who also served as volunteer fire fighters. Sometimes it got so bad, a customer would go into Neuman’s store to buy something and there would be no one to wait on him. All the help was out fighting fires. It got to a point that it hindered Mr. Neuman’s retail business.

Many local residents of Woodside and Portola Valley gave freely of their time, at great risk to their personal well-being, as volunteer firemen of the Woodside Fire District. In the early 1920s some concerned citizens decided a fire district was needed for the area. District boundaries were drawn up, basically the same as today. An election was held and Stanley Morsehead, Selah Chamberlain, Sr., and James Neuman (Fire Commissioner from 1925-1927) were elected as the first commissioners of Woodside Fire Protection District. These men banded together with a single purpose: to provide aid to their neighbors in time of emergencies and against the ravages of fire. Articles of Incorporation were filed with the County Clerk on July 13, 1925.

An old, abandoned barn, turned an ice cream parlor, and now a Bistro near the center of Woodside became the District headquarters. There were about 15 volunteer junior fire fighters and about 20 adults on call. It was about this time that Mr. Neuman offered John Volpiano a job in his store as the clerk, delivery driver and stock boy. However, before he had a chance to begin this new job, Mr. Neuman asked him to accept a job as a paid fireman for the newly formed District. John Volpiano served as the fire chief from June 7, 1932 thru July 31, 1973.

Just like these “founding fathers” of the Fire District, today’s firefighters are dedicated to the mission of serving its communities in the same capacity as their former fire brothers and sisters.

Not Your Father’s Fire Department

The world has changed in so many ways, and with this change has come the need for the fire service to expand, modify and keep abreast of an ever-changing environment. Today’s “firefighters” do more, much more, than just fight fires.

In the 1960s, it was evident that firefighters were dying at an early age, largely due to the constant exposures to smoke from the combustion of materials such as plastics and foams, materials not used in earlier years. Firefighter fatalities were placed in the forefront for change, and new laws were passed to protect firefighters from these toxins. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs) became a regular part of firefighter gear.

In the1970s, hazardous materials and new chemicals provided firefighters with additional challenges. As a result, hazardous material (“Haz-Mat”) training was mandated, and new procedures and protocols were adopted into law.

The 1980s bought a new era of emergency medical services (EMS). As a result, engine companies had to remove hand tools from their apparatus to make room for defibrillators (for treating sudden cardiac arrest) and new medical bags containing the requisite supplies to response to a wide variety of medical incidents.

The 1990s saw the advent of “special operations,” confined space, swift water, trench, low-angle, high-angle and rope rescues. Today firefighters are required to maintain a myriad of certificates and qualifications to meet Insurance Service Organization (ISO), OSHA, CA OSHA NIOSH and NFPA standards.

The mission of the WFPD remains the same as it was those many years ago: to protect life, property, and the environment through prevention, education, preparedness, and emergency response.