From Volunteer Firefighters to South Sound Fire

When Des Moines was an emerging community with passable roads and operating telephones the Kent Fire Department serviced the Des Moines area. In January 1925, due to the lengthy amount of time it took for the fire trucks to arrive from Kent, a fire destroyed the Des Moines grade and high school. Following this disaster, residents organized a volunteer fire department from members of the small local community. The Des Moines fire fighting services have been hosted at several different locations including Del Osterhoudt's Texaco station. Del later became chief of the fire department. His wife Wally was owner of the Des Moines Cinema and fire dispatcher. Later, during World War II, when the men were away, she organized a women's volunteer fire department affectionately known as "The Bra Brigade". Fire District Number 26 was approved by the voters on June 19, 1945. (65 in favor, 0 against). At long last Des Moines would have a paid fire brigade. Station No. 1 at 22231 Marine View Drive S., now a motor cycle repair shop, was built. Later Station No. 2 was established at 222nd St. and 24th Avenue S., which serves now as the fire station.