It has been 40 years since the Topaz Lake Volunteer Fire Department was organized, March-April of 1967, under the name of Topaz Lake Engine Company No. 1. After two homes were burned to the ground in the Topaz area, local residents decided it was time the south county had a closer response time in emergency needs. Douglas County Fire Chief Dar Ellis assisted in the formation of the volunteer group.
Tony Riva, who was the owner of what is now known as Topaz Landing and Marina, along with 19 other residents, were the founding charter members of the fledgling department. The list of the charter members can be found in the department archives, written in pencil on the back of a blank business check with the name of Malcom E. Jones, real estate broker, and include the following names: William Bowman, President; Tony Aguiar, Vice President; Malcom. E. Jones, Secretary-Treasurer; Tony Riva, Chief; Jim Kilduff, Captain with other members listed as George Brooks, Jack Pulliam, Orv Boyanger, Ed Betterton, Hugh Fletcher, Howard Miles, Herb Kay, George Gregory, L.R. Pilkington, M.D. Meyer, Wes Roberts, Gary Auchoberry, Gene Ferguson, Wayne Everett and Louis Delmonico.
Next to Gardnerville Volunteer Fire Department, Station 2, which has the distinction of being the oldest and longest continually serving volunteer fire department in the state of Nevada, organizing in 1911 and Genoa Volunteer Fire Department, which organized in 1876 as the Genoa Hook and Ladder Company, reorganized in 1949, becoming Station 3 in 1980, TLVFD is the third oldest volunteer department in Douglas County. The department became part of East Fork Fire District of Douglas County in 1981 along with receiving the designation of Station 5.
"There wasn't more than a handful of homes down here at the lake," current Fire Chief Dave Thomas said about the organizing of the department. " A bunch of guys just got together for the purpose of looking out for the tiny community."
The feeling of its original organization is echoed in the words of current treasurer Carol Dettorre.
"I have to say how close the members of this department have always been," she said. "It's all like family."
Dettorre has been a member of the department since 1994. A year later she replaced outgoing secretary/treasurer Jan Savage and has held that position until recently when stations 4 and 5 merged Aug. 1. Dettorre is now the treasurer and Cheryl St. Onge is secretary.
It was March 6, 1979, when members voted to allow women to become members. Helen Casale and Mary Rubino were the first to join on July 11, 1979.
Fundraising was begun in earnest to support the newly formed department. Requests were made of Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Light in the summer of 1967 for a piece of lake property that wasn't able to be sold and contributions, in the amount of $40 each, were solicited from property owners in the area for the construction of a firehouse. The first firehouse was completed in 1968.
In April of 1967, trading stamp books were solicited from community members for the purchase of equipment for the department, a raffle was held in July of that year with tickets going for 50 cents. The 40-year tradition of an annual fundraising barbecue began with a buffet at the Pinenut Lodge which was once located south of Topaz Lodge and Casino where the three-tiered parking lot is today.
Through the 40 years, TLVFD has been lead by seven different fire chiefs. Tony Riva being the first from April of 1967 to May of 1970. He again served as chief another four years from April of 1972 to April of 1976.
M. D. Meyer was chief from May 1970 through April 1972. Frank Strobel served as chief 1976-1978 followed by Henry McKenzie from 1978 to 1979.
Bob Savage held the longest tenure as fire chief from September of 1979 to April of 1993. Bob Gable almost tied Savage's years by serving from 1993, retiring in 2005 to hand the reigns over to current fire chief, Dave Thomas.
TLVFD was also able to boast the distinction of having the oldest active fireman in the state of Nevada. P. J. "Bud" Semas was honored for his service and retired from active duty at the age of 82. He still volunteered his time around the station until his death, April 14, 2005, just one week shy of his 85th birthday.
In 1989, the first station house was torn down to make way for the station that stands today. The new Station 5 was completed in 1990 and dedicated on June 1, 1991.
This Sunday, Topaz Lake Volunteer Fire Department will continue their long tradition by hosting their 40th annual fundraising barbecue. Their famous in-ground pit, located in front of the station, will be fired up Saturday night and as the bed of coals reaches just the right temperature, dozens of tri-tips, wrapped in water-soaked burlap, will be lowered into the pit for an overnight cooking process. Last year, the volunteers served more than 800 meals.
Country dance music provided by Buffalo Country, raffles and silent auctions round out the events, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
