The Plumas County fire service is honored to have in our midst one of the longest serving volunteer firefighters in the nation. Chief Jim Hamblin of Indian Valley Fire Department has now served for over 65 years!
James Richard Hamblin was born Sept. 23, 1929, in Greenville, the son of Bill and Margurite Hamblin. His family goes back three generations on one side in Greenville, and four generations in Indian Valley as descendants of the Schieser family. Jim's grandfather, William Lewis Hamblin, came from Canada. Jim's first wife was Margie Myers, and her grandmother and his grandfather went to school together in Canada.
Jim's father William (Bill) James was born in Tay-lorsville. His grandfather William Lewis and father Bill were both skilled blacksmiths, and his grandfather was a local judge. "The courthouse was in back of the jail, and they named a street after him, Hamblin Avenue," said Jim. Bill became a mechanic also, and went on to be the Ford dealer in Greenville and Quincy in the 1920s through the 1940s. They sold Ford Model Ts and Model As to many people in the area. The dealership in Quincy was called Plumas Motors and in Greenville the dealership was called Service Motor Company. Then World War II began, and the government bought them out, taking all the cars and tires and equipment for the war effort. Bill then started an auto repair business called Hamblin's Auto Repair.
Jim's older brother William K. Hamblin became a "sleeper fireman" in Quincy in 1935, living at the fire station and responding to calls. William was then drafted into the Army in 1940. He fought in the South Pacific and was killed in battle in Okinawa in 1945. As the sole surviving son, Jim Hamblin was not drafted.
Young Jim became a "junior fireman" in 1945. "I was interested, and, along with three or four other kids, went to all the drills and helped at fires. Greenville Chief Cy Hall asked if I would join. Another kid was going to join also but backed out. I did not." After being a junior member, Jim formally joined
Feb. 13, 1948. His father Bill was an original member of the Greenville Fire Department, serving until he moved to Quincy in the 1930s. The family moved back to Greenville in 1939.
Jim became an officer in the Greenville Fire Department in 1957, serving as assistant fire chief. "Cy Hall was the chief then, from 1932 - 1983; he served for 51 years," said Jim. He was promoted to fire chief in 1983, following Cy's retirement.
Jim remembers many changes over the years, including receiving the first full sets of protective clothing, or "turnouts," in the late 1950s. He also remembers the town installing "Gamewell" fire alarm pull boxes in the 1940s. When pulled, these would set off the firehouse air horn, alerting volunteers. The location was coded for each box by the number of blasts. "We had a separate fire phone line that rang in everyone's house, it had a steady ring until someone answered. A lot of times we would talk on the phone about what response was needed before the actual alarm was sounded," said Jim.
He remembers his first fire engine, a 1937 Ford Hirsch Challenger built in Sacramento. Now fully restored, it still has a working 500-gpm rotary gear Waterous-brand pump. "It could go to a fire right now," said Jim. "There have been many changes in techniques, regulations and equipment... it's all changed, but sometimes gradually." Firemen's musters were held for many years in Greenville during the local celebration "Gold Diggers" held in July. "Most of the time the Greenville Department took home the first-place trophy," said Jim proudly.
Jim followed in his father's footsteps and became a mechanic by trade. He worked at his father's Service Motor Company, and later the Plumas Garage and Hamblin's Auto Repair. He took over running Hamblin's Auto Repair until retiring in 2000. A highly skilled mechanic, he performed all kinds of maintenance, including working on heavy equipment. He still does 90 percent of the maintenance on equipment for the fire department. "I just don't want to do the heavy stuff anymore," said Jim.
Jim married Marge Myers Hamblin and they had two children, Cathrine Ann and Richard William. Jim married his second wife, Erma Horn, and was married until her death in 1996. Jim married his third wife, Marion Hatch, on Oct. 4, 1998. Marion helps out around the fire department in many ways. She is active in all the fundraisers and helps in anything the department may need. "The big event fundraiser of the year that keeps her very busy is the Firemen's Ball every January," said Jim.
In 1993, Greenville and Taylorsville merged and became Indian Valley Fire and Rescue. They operate four fire stations -- Greenville, Taylorsville, North Arm and Genesee Woods -- and have 34 volunteer firefighters. Jim recalls, "Greenville had a $24,000 budget in 1968, and by 2003 the combined budget was $215,000." Indian Valley Fire Department is part of the Indian Valley Community Service District, which also provides water, sewer, streetlights and recreation services in the area.
"We have always worked closely with Quincy FD. I knew a lot of the firemen there and still do. I remember the open-air boxing ring where the current main Quincy fire station is on Main Street. I remember their 1934 Dodge being in service," said Jim. "It's now a restored antique used in parades."
Jim remembers many large fires, including when two blocks of Main Street burned in Quincy in 1934. The Greenville Fire Department responded to help and protected other structures to stop the spread of the fire. More recently the huge Moonlight Fire threatened Taylorsville at one point.
"Whenever Indian Valley gets toned out for an emergency, Jim always is the first one to answer up on the radio and respond, day or night. I respect his position and his many years of dedicated service to his community and to the Plumas County fire service family," said Plumas Eureka Fire Chief Gary Castagnetti, who serves as president of the Plumas County Fire Chiefs Association.
"We have many members with a very long record of great service, including our assistant fire chief, John Hunter, owner of Hunter Hardware. He has served for over 38 years. Another good example is Captain David Preston, who has served for 38 years and works in computers in Quincy," said Jim.
"I'm proud to have been a part of it. It's not just me; if I did not have a lot of good men and women it wouldn't be anything."
Quincy Fire Chief Robbie Cassou has worked with Jim for many years, and said, "Jim is an icon in the Plumas County fire services. Many of the vehicles and much of the tools and equipment in Indian Valley FD were handmade by Jim. His guidance with their muster team has led to many trophies and championships building a legacy of departmental camaraderie and teamwork. His ability to be there day or night 24/7 in support his community is an inspiration to us all."
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