April 14th, 1945, Special election was held in Connell and Mesa to vote on the organization of Franklin County Fire Protection District #1 and three fire district commissioners. April 16th, 1945, Franklin County commissioners approved the organization of the district. 

April 23rd, 1945, the first Board of Commissioners meeting was held at 2pm. Commissioners Otto E. Olds (Chairman), L.A. Woody, and Oliver Dilling executed oaths of office. Ben Klindworth was approved to be the secretary and temporary fire chief. 

Starting from nothing the commission was tasked with researching and securing needs quickly. Which started with acquiring a Ford chassis for a fire apparatus and securing a working agreement with the City of Connell fire department ("town"). June 19th, 1945 the commissioners selected 15 firefighters as the first volunteers of the department. 5 "town" members and 10 rural members. Including Richard Flygare, assistant chief. June 15th, 1946 Arnold M. Erickson was approved to the position of fire chief. Chief Erickson implemented a regional Captain system. Captains had the duty of securing area resources and directing water resources to the fire truck. Limited district resources required a cooperation of the "town" fire department as well as the community and area farmers to supply water. Accurate and prompt reporting of fire locations frequently complicated response time with the limited apparatus and the area to cover. 

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The original board of commissioners served until May 18th, 1952

A.M. Erickson served as chief until May 1st, 1951. Ben Klindworth again served as chief until Jan 1st, 1958

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