110 years of blazing glory

This month, the Encampment/Riverside Fire Department celebrated 110 years of heroic rescues and building saves in the Platte Valley.

It was 1903 when the Encampment Fire Department held its first annual banquet for department members and friends at what was then known as the city hall, according to an archived article from the Grand Encampment Herald newspaper. At that time the new department staff had 31 members, including Fire Chief John Ball, Assistant Chief Frank McDaniels, Secretary Millard F. Nogal and Treasurer Frank J. Lordier.

This year, Encampment and Riverside celebrated what would...