Fire Department History
This is
a review of the history of the Pinckneyville Volunteer Fire Dept. From
the very beginning to the present, there have been many changes. We have
to admire our forefathers for the dedication, and hard work to protect
the lives and property of the citizens of the City of Pinckneyville. From
the hooks and ladders, fire buckets, fire hose, hose wagons to the motorized
chemical trucks, and on the modern firefighting apparatus that we have
today. As years go by, the cost of fire protection keeps going higher
and higher. But there are those special people that are willing to give
their time and risking their lives to protect their community from any
type of problems that may occur.
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The City of Pinckneyville was founded and organized on May 17, 1857. The
first fire equipment that was put into service was 4 hooks, 4 ladders,
6 buckets, and a wagon. The firemen were notified by ringing a fire bell.
January 2, 1888 12 new rubber fire buckets were purchased for $19.35.
They purchased 600' of 2 1/2 " hose and a hose wagon on April 1, 1890
for $196.00. In 1892, the Pinckneyville Volunteer Fire Department was
officially organized, with Dick Harris being appointed the first fire
chief.
The City of Pinckneyville purchased a hose
carriage on December 4, 1893 for $110.00. In 1894, more hooks and
ladders were purchased for $183.80, and a temporary firehouse was built
within 100' of where the fire station is today. The fire station has always
been in the 100 block of South Walnut St. The fire bell broke in the fall
of 1901, and a new one was purchased and hung in January of 1902. The
fire bell is hanging in the bell tower of the United Church of Christ,
and is rung every Sunday morning.
On March 5, 1906, the permanent firehouse was built, a 32' X 50' building
with a concrete floor and a hose tower with the cost not to exceed $5,000.00.
In 1909, fire calls were starting to be received by telephone. In 1910,
electric lights were installed in the firehouse. On April 14, 1920, the
first chemical fire engine was purchased for $1,300.00, a 3/4
ton 1920 Oldsmobile with a gasoline engine and a chain and sprocket
drive. It did not have a drive shaft, which would prove to be it's weak
spot, it was in the repair shop repeatedly.
CHEMICAL FIRE ENGINE: These were small, quick into service engines that
were used from the 1870's to the 1930's. They came in hand drawn, horse
drawn, or motorized. This engine had no pump. There was no waiting for
steam to build up. They usually had 35 to 80 gallon tanks. The engine
would be positioned where it was needed, then sulfuric acid would be released
into the tank. The chemical reaction would create a 175psi very quickly.
There was no drafting water, maintenance was low, and two men could operate
the engine.
Pumps and booster tanks would mark the end of this era by the late 1930's.
On May 30, 1920, the fire horses were sold and the money was used to pay
for new 2 1/2 " hose for the new fire truck. In 1925, a new Chevy chemical
truck was purchased for approximately $1,700.00. In 1933, a triple combination,
1 1/2 ton fire truck with a 350 gallon booster tank and a 250gpm pump
were purchased. This fire truck replaced to 1920 Oldsmobile fire truck.
In 1936, a large siren was installed to notify firemen of fire calls.
On November 22, 1937, a new city hall and fire department were dedicated
at 110 South Walnut St. March 5, 1941 a Chevy
fire engine was purchased from Central Fire Truck Company of St. Louis,
Missouri. The new 1941 Chevy fire engine has a 500gpm pump and a 350 gallon
booster tank, purchase price was $5,000.00.
The first breathing apparatus was purchased in 1942 from Mine Safety Appliance
Company (MSA) for $8.45 each. The first self-contained breathing apparatus
was purchased on May 13, 1946 at the cost of $350.00 each. On March 14,
1949, a Chevy panel truck was purchased, to be used as an emergency rescue
& equipment truck. In 1952, a Chevy Central Fire Engine was purchased,
with a 500gpm pump and a 500 gallon booster tank. This was the first enclosed
cab with a purchase price of $7,797.50.
The first wireless communications equipment was purchased and installed
on October 2, 1957. The total cost of $152.00 included a base station
and 1 mobile unit. In 1959, a Chevy
box van was purchased to replace the panel truck. The cost was $3,500.00.
In 1965, a Chevy Towers fire
engine with a 750gpm pump and a 750 gallon booster tank was purchased
at the cost of $30,700.00. On March 2, 1970, a Ford
pickup with a 10KVA Military generator and 8 mounted Quartz lights
was put into service at the cost of $8,000.00. In 1972, a completely new
radio system was purchased with 1 base station, 3 remotes, a 115' antenna
tower, 12 mobile units, 4 packs, and 30 in house monitors at a purchase
price of $24,000.00. In 1989, 30 new pagers were purchased for $10,000.00.
In 1976, our 1959 Chevy box van emergency truck was used as an ambulance
for 25 emergency ambulance calls until another ambulance service could
be started.
June 14, 1978, we took delivery of a 1978 Ford Towers 1,000gmp pump with
a 750 gallon booster tank at a purchase price of $55,796.00. February
of 1990, we purchased a 1977
Chevy box rescue ambulance from the local ambulance service, and converted
it into an emergency rescue truck. In February of 1991, we moved into
our new 80' X 90', 5 bay fire station. Our new fire station cost $350,000.00.
June, 1992, we took delivery of our 1992
Ford 5 man fully equipped towers 1,000gpm pump and a 1,000 booster
tank, at the cost of $151,752.00. September 1996, we purchased a 1974
Ford with a 1988 aluminum walk through body, to replace the smaller
emergency truck. The purchase price was $45,000.00. In 1999, Perry County
went 911 enhanced. We received a new base station, 6 mobiles, 4 packs,
30 pagers, and a fax machine.