History of Templeton Fire & Emergency Services

Templeton Hose Company No. 1 was formed with Charles M. Steinbeck as the first Chief Engineer in November 1887. Chief Engineer Steinbeck was given a trumpet to announce any fire and started recruiting volunteer firefighters. Towards the end of 1887, with the arrival a hose cart, 14 volunteers joined and became Templeton Hose Company No. 1. In 1902, the Templeton Board of Trade deemed it necessary to asses and collect taxes for the legal formation of a Fire District. The formation of the Community Services District in 1976 eliminated the Fire District that was established in 1909. There is a memorial located outside of the station honoring Lester Lowell Plumm (1912-1940), who lost his life in the line of duty during a fire on March 7, 1940. Throughout the past 100+ years, the members of the department have been exceptionally dedicated to volunteering their time to provide emergency services to the community. 

After many years of additions to the fire station, the station was completed in 1996 with four apparatus bays, downstairs offices, and an upstairs living quarters. The majority of Templeton Firefighters consisted of volunteers throughout the years. In November 2011, Templeton Fire & Emergency Services hired their first full-time fire captain and continued to hire part-time personnel to fill positions. In 2019, the community voted for the passing of Measure A, which gave additional funding to allow the department to have 24/7, 365 days a year, staffing to serve the community. The funds from Measure A allowed the department to hire a full-time Fire Chief, two additional Fire Captains, a full-time Fire Engineer, and hourly pay for Reserve Firefighters. Currently, Templeton Fire & Emergency Services has a full-time chief, three full-time captains, a full-time Fire Engineer, and 15 reserve firefighters.