Alfred Hobbs

Alfred W. Hobbs was a serious youngster who cared for his ailing Mother and helped raise his two sisters. When he was 15 his Mother died and his Father became disabled. Al joined the Army before he completed high school. He served in the military occupational service in Germany. While in the service he completed his high school credits and obtained his diploma. He was called back into the service during the Korean conflict in 1950. He married his wife Marilyn in 1948 and they had 2 children. In 1962, just 6 blocks from his home, he helped the Volunteer Fire Dept. and many neighbors frantically trying to rescue children who were in a home engulfed in flames. Al carried 2 of the six children out of the home but unfortunately all six succumbed in this fire. This tragedy prompted Al to join the Clovis Volunteer Fire Dept. and Mid Valley Fire Dept. It was the start of his lobbying with others for the City full time fire dept. It took 4 years. In 1966 Al's dream of being a firefighter became a reality. In 1967 Al and local businessman Daniel Martin formed Clovis Ambulance Service. During his 11 years with the dept. he worked his way from Fire Engineer to Asst. Chief and in July 1975 became Clovis 3rd fire chief, being the only Chief to advance through the ranks to become Chief of the Fire dept. Al resigned his position in 1977. His vision of an efficient well organized dept. is reflected in today's Clovis Fire Dept.