2025 Flyer
Historical Society and Museum
for the
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Historical Society and Museum for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is to identify, collect, preserve, document, exhibit and interpret material evidence and information of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for the purpose of promoting pride and loyalty in its employees, maintaining its traditions of service and preserving its history for the benefit and education of employees of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal-Fire) and the people of the State of California.
DIGITAL COLLECTIONS
See some of the films, photos and documents we have digitized for online access:
https://cdfhistory.smugmug.com/
https://californiarevealed.org/collections/cal-fire-museum
CORPORATION
We are incorporated in the State of California having non-profit status with the Internal Revenue Service and the Franchise Tax Board. Our income is solely based on subscriber and other miscellaneous donations from our dedicated supporters.
CORPORATION OFFICERS:
- Jan Newman, Museum Manager
- Lee Delap, Assistant Manager
- Ray Snodgrass, Treasurer
- Stephanie Regis, Secretary
DIRECTORS:
- Michael Bowman
- Frank Clark
- Jarrel B. Glover
- Elizabeth Groom
- Kim Pennington
- Jesse Torres
- Tom Wilson
We are an all-volunteer organization and 100% of your donations are used in support of museum operations and upkeep. In recent years, we have had to drastically cut back our operating hours as our founding staff of volunteers shrinks. If you'd like to help with our museum operations by offering your time, skills and/or knowledge, we are always interested in recruiting new members for our team. Contact us by phone or email to find an opportunity that suits you today!
Active CalFire employees and retired members of Cal PERS may support the museum by subscribing as monthly donors via monthly payroll deduction. Contact us via email for payroll deduction forms and instructions. We also accept donations via PayPal and Square.
https://calfirehistory.square.site
FEIN: 33-0941817
Permanent Displays
In addition to the items on display at our main offices in San Bernardino, we also maintain several off-site exhibits. Currently we have displays at:
- Fresno-Kings Training Center,
- Ione Academy, AEU
- Ben Clark Training Center, RRU
- Los Osos Training Center, SLU
- Prevent Training Solutions, RIV
To inquire about a display or to donate an object, documents or photos contact the museum at:
Admin@CalFireHistory.com
OUR FLEET
The museum currently holds title on 7 fully restored and 16 unrestored CalFire retired engines. Our working fleet is fully licensed and insured and stored at various CalFire facilities across the State for access and use by CalFire personnel in parades and other public events.
Among these are:
- A 1930 Ford Model A, housed in Nevada City, NEU
- A 1935 Chevrolet "pickup pumper", donated by the Shimer family, housed at Coulterville, MMU
- A 1939 GMC cabover, originally built up in the CDF Shop in the San Diego Unit, housed at Ramona AAB, SDU
- A 1942 Mack firetruck, purchased for Coastal Defense during wartime, housed in Santa Rosa, LNU
- A 1948 Dodge crew truck, named for Everett Fox, housed at the El Dorado station, AEU
- A 1956 International Model #1 donated by Alan Columbro, currently housed in MMU.
- A 1963 Chevrolet Model 1, dedicated in memory of Floyd “Bud” Lewis, donated to the museum by the State Archives, housed in BDU
![1956 IHC Columbro 2 phone April 2017 044a[1]](https://calfirehistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1956-IHC-Columbro-2-phone-April-2017-044a1-300x225.jpg "1956 IHC Columbro 2 phone April 2017 044a[1]")
