The Parkdale Fire Department held its first meeting on February 24th, 1949. Fire Chief Leslie Aubert called the meeting to order with 41 prospective firemen in attendance at the Parkdale Grange Hall. Volunteer Association Officers were elected with Ramon Dougherty as the president and Paul Aubert as the Vice President. They would meet for the meeting on the fourth Monday of every month. Each member would pay 10 cents into the treasury fund for refreshments.
The remaining 25 firemen were divided into three companies the hose company, the ladders company, and the salvage company. Each company would train on separate nights once a month. The department owned a hose care that could be pulled by four firemen and operated one motorized engine, called Engine 44. In 1962, the department also purchased a second engine, called Engine 46. In the event of an emergency call, there were three telephone numbers that could be called. The first number being the Captain of the hose company, the second number being the Captain of the ladders company, and the last number called was Howard Nelson's grocery. Nelson was also the Assistant Chief and was located the closest to the nearly-completed fire hall. Later, in May 1949, a siren was affixed to the fire station and after receiving report of a fire, Nelson would run down the street and activate the siren.
Badges and uniforms were ordered and each fireman was to pay a one dollar deposit on the issued badge. They set a date of April 30th for their first official "Fireman's Ball" in hope that the new shirts and badges would arrive in time. The department was a big provider of entertainment, hosting dances, picnics, socials, and participating in the local parades. The Hood River County fire departments also competed in a "water ball" competition at the local county fair. Water ball is a game where two teams must each assemble three to four sections of hose with a nozzle. They they try to squirt a ball attached to a zip line on their opponent's side before the other team. Some departments would form several teams and the winner being awarded a trophy.
The Parkdale Fire Department purchased their first ambulance, Ambulance 42, in February 1966. The ambulance was a retired Hood River Fire Department ambulance that was currently owned by the Odell Ambulance Company. With all firemen being trained in first aid and a few with advanced fire aid training, the department formed the Parkdale Ambulance Service. The department also added a ladies' auxiliary known as the "Fire Belles" who helped organize events such as dances and during fires they would make coffee and meals if needed.
In the mid 70's, the department acquired their first rescue vehicle which replaced a booster that would respond to motor vehicle crashes. It was built on an international chassis and was infamous for its mechanical issues. It has been said that the rescue crew had to get the motor started before it rolled off the pad and if it didn't start, the crew would throw the equipment into the back of a firefighter's personal vehicle and drive the gear to the scene.
In the mid 80's, the department acquired the use of a county building located in the town of Mt. Hood to store fire apparatus. The building is still in use today as the Mt. Hood Station. In the late 80's, construction began on a new fire station on the outskirts of Parkdale. Also during this time period, a new engine was purchased from Pierce and two firemen flew out to Michigan to receive delivery straight from Pierce manufacturing.
