In 1969, seeing the need for a community fire department, a group of residents started the Discovery Bay Volunteer Fire Department. Meetings were held in the old Jefferson County Garage with George Brown acting as the first Chief. In 1970 we got our first fire engine and became officially chartered.
1927 Antique Fire Truck, donated by Gary Bandy in 2003
As more volunteers joined, we quickly expanded to a second station in Gardiner in the old Mattress Factory Building (now the antique shop next to Wild Birds Unlimited) to more effectively respond to calls over a larger area.
Our growing department needed financial support; in 1972 the first Discovery Bay Fishing Derby was held. Nicknamed the “Iron Man's Derby” the event became an annual tradition and along with the Auxiliary (started in '77) helped to support the department for many years.
In 1982, the 911 system was started in Jefferson County and a few years later we signed mutual aid agreements with the other East Jefferson Fire Districts and Clallam Fire District #3.