When Tom Baird was 3 years old his “job” was to ring the fire siren whenever a fire call came into the town of Wallowa. His late father Verdo Baird had one of two Wallowa siren alarms at their home (the other being at the late Charlie Fisher’s barber shop) and Tom was called upon to sound the alarm when the need arose.

A member of the city’s volunteer fire department at age 16, the 57-year-old Baird was elected Wallowa Fire Chief by his peers recently, and his appointment was ratified by the city council Jan. 13.

Baird comes into his position at a noteworthy time, with finishing touches being put into the interior of the new fire hall and the city’s new two-year-old fire engine being prepared for its inaugural fire.

The fire engine has been waiting in storage until a fire hall large enough to accommodate its size was constructed. Baird says that hoses are on the truck now so that it could be called into action in the event of a large fire. Within the next two weeks detail work to the engine will be completed and it will be ready for any eventuality, said Baird.

A native of Wallowa and a 1965 graduate of Wallowa High School, Baird graduated in horticulture in from Oregon State University in 1970, worked four years at the OSU Research Farm in Corvallis and worked 10 years at Rogge’s Mill before starting his own Wallowa business. Tom’s Auto & Hardware has been a going concern since 1984, the first three years in the second hand store across Hwy. 82 from Schaeffer Automotive and the past 17 years at 604 W 7th Street.

Baird married Joanne (Scott) Baird five years ago.

The new fire chief, who replaces Bob Lewis, says that the number of volunteer firemen in Wallowa is down to nine. He encourages anyone who wishes to get involved with the department to call city hall at 886-2422.

Not counting calls for auto crashes, Baird estimates the number of fire calls in Wallowa, including grass fires, to be less than 20 per year. Fires substantial in size are normally at less than five each year.

Baird has served as fire department captain for the past 10 years. Replacing him in that capacity is Travis Goebel. John Campbell was elected as assistant fire chief.