| 
>>History
Newsletter
Officials
Public records
Apparatus
|
 |
Home >> About Us >> History
A History of the Fishers Fire Department
In 1917, a group of Fishers’ residents explored organizing a fire department. World War 1 intervened and the plans were put on hold. In 1920, George VanVoorhis’ house burned and the community again became actively involved in establishing a fire department. 87 years ago, on Wednesday, June 21, 1921, the “Fishers Chemical Fire Department” was formed.
In the fall of that year, the department had its first firefighting job. The barn belonging to Menzo VanVoorhis at the corner of Log Cabin Road and Main Street Fishers was ablaze. Men, women and children helped pull the two-wheeled 50 gallon soda-acid cart to the scene. They all seemed to be in each other’s way, some pushing, some tripping, and some falling down. The barn was fully involved upon arrival; the Dept. set up to protect the adjacent buildings, which were saved. The fire was caused by a hobo who was trying to keep warm during the night.
In the early 1920’s, there were no fire training schools for rural firefighters to attend; instead, common sense was the rule. In the spirit of “helping thy neighbor”, a fire would attract many helpers who were not firefighters. Control could easily be lost due to outside incompetence.
During this time, Prohibition caused a number of home distilleries to come into existence. In order to make a living after her spouse died, a Fishers resident rigged up a distillery in her barn at the corner of Lower Fisher’s Road and Log Cabin Road. One day, this barn caught fire.
A motley bunch of her customers, who outnumbered the firefighters, took over the fire department’s equipment and were valiantly trying to save her 100 proof products. “Save the hooch, never mind the house,” was the cry. Some of the crew formed a bucket brigade, using firefighters’ boots and fire buckets to scoop up the hooch and pass it out of the building. The woman tried to drive them away with a buggy whip, but was unsuccessful.
At some point after this the department acquired a Model “T” fire truck. It is unclear when and for how long this was in service. In 1946, a new fire truck arrived. It was a 1945 Ford Young Pumper. Rubber fire coats came to the Dept. in the late 1940’s as well. Today, the Fishers Fire Department is made up of committed men and women from the community. The dedication to protecting our community could not be higher. Many hours of training are involved in today’s firefighting.
We would like to remember & thank the founding members of the Fishers Chemical Fire Department, for bringing organized fire protection to this community. We hope we are making you proud.
Adapted from Fishers Fire Department Recollection -1920-1996 by J. Sheldon Fisher as presented at the 75th Anniversay Banquet, March 16, 1996.
|
|
|
