Erv Weinmeister Memorial

Ian Zahn Photo / Loveland Fire Rescue Authority

On January 7th, 2025 a Celebration of Life was held at the Foundations Church in Loveland for former Loveland Fire Chief and Super Vac founder Erv Weinmeister. Erv founded Super Vac in 1954 focusing on fire ventilation equipment. Erv dedicated 24 years to the Loveland Volunteer Fire Department and was Fire Chief during the years 1975-1976 and 1982-1983. In 1971 the department needed a new rescue truck and Super Vac built their first truck, a walk around rescue body built on a Ford C-series cabover chassis, and SVI Trucks was born. In the decades since, SVI Trucks has delivered more than 1000 emergency service vehicles all around the world. In 1972, Erv invented the first-ever light tower when he recognized the need for better scene lighting after his Loveland crew struggled to light a steep incline during a canyon incident. Thus, the Command Light division was born. Erv was the Fire Chief during the Big Thompson Flood on July 31, 1976. On that day more than 10 inches of rain fell near Estes Park causing what was said to be a 17-foot wall of water to rush down the Big Thompson River Canyon, resulting in 139 fatalities. For many days after the flood Erv led the department in rescue and recovery of victims. Up until the very end, Erv never stopped working. He drove to work, walked the floors, put in his office time, then made the lunch hour bell before leaving for the day to start it all over again. Erv instilled in those around him to work hard for something good. Erv’s Celebration of Life was attended by family, friends, and firefighters from many departments. The Loveland Fire Rescue Authority Honor Guard provided honors, presented the flag to the family, and escorted the remains from the building. Outside there was 6 fire apparatus on hand to pay final respects to Erv, all of them SVI Trucks or trucks that had been refurbished by SVI Refurb. Additional information provided by Super Vac (https://supervac.com), Loveland Fire Exhibit Inc. (https://lovelandfireexhibitinc.wordpress.com) and Loveland Fire Rescue Authority (https://lfra.org/)

Apparatus on Scene: Frederick-Firestone Fire Protection District, Greeley Fire Department, Loveland Fire Rescue Authority and Windsor-Severance Fire Rescue