History of Richmond Fire Department

In early times citizens banded together to protect their homes from fire. In October 1830, the people of Richmond formed an independent organization. The group included an engine company, a hook and Ladder Company, and a bucket company. In that same year, the people bought a fire engine named the "Palace." They nicknamed it the "Old Grindstone."

The Palace or "Old Grindstone" First Fire Engine in Richmond, 1830

Creation of the Volunteer F.D.

In 1832 a volunteer fire company was formed. It was regulated by a town ordinance. The men who volunteered were not paid for their work. They were given certificates to show that they were members and they did not pay as much taxes as other citizens. When there was a fire, an alarm was sent. Every volunteer dropped his work, took his bucket, and rushed to help put out the fire. It took twenty strong men for a hook and ladder company. The rest of the men formed into a bucket company.

It was the duty of each man to provide himself with a bucket that would hold two gallons of water. The water was carried from the nearest well or stream. Dr. Ithamar Warner was appointed to raise an engine company, but he did not live to see the first engine with a pumper or the first engine house. The first pumper was bought in 1836 and the first engine house was built in 1837. "Old Hunker" was the fire engine on which the citizens of Richmond depended for many years. This fire engine came all the way from Boston, Massachusetts.

"Old Hunker"

From Boston, Massachusetts, to Richmond, Indiana, was a long journey before 1840. That is because most of the journey was made by water.

In those days, water travel was easier than travel over land, on rough roads and through mountains "Old Hunker" was loaded on a ship on the Atlantic Ocean at Boston. It was sent down the East Coast of the United States. It went around Florida. It crossed the Gulf of Mexico to New Orleans, Louisiana. There it was loaded onto a smaller boat for its journey up the Mississippi and the Ohio rivers. The riverboat took "Old Hunker" to Cincinnati. There it was loaded onto a prairie schooner for its overland trip to Richmond. On a map of the United States, trace the journey taken by "Old Hunker" from Boston to Richmond.

In 1850 "Rowboat," Richmond's third fire engine, was bought for $1,210.00 In 1857, a committee of citizens bought another fire engine for $1,579.00. This one was called the Quaker City Fire engine. The Washington Engine Company Number One was organized in 1858 or 1859. "Old Hunker" was used at this old south side station.

The First Steam Engine

Before 1860, fire engines had been operated by hand. That year the city bought its first steam engine. In 1861, the City of Richmond built a firehouse at South Sixth and "E" Streets. This firehouse was used until it was torn down in 1927. The first hook and ladder company was formed in 1866. Fire engines and hook and ladder wagons were still horse drawn in the early 1900's. At the sound of the fire alarm, the horses were ready for action. To see them galloping full speed down the busy street was exciting.

There is a story about an old fire horse that shows how well trained the horses were and how much they enjoyed their work. The old fire horse had served many years. He was too old for such hard work. He was sold to a farmer and taken to the country to live the rest of his life. One day the farmer drove the old fire horse to the city. As he drove down the street, the fire alarm sounded. The old fire horse had not forgotten his early training. He started off at full speed to follow the fire engines. The farmer had to hang on for his life.

Volunteer Fire Department becomes Full-Time

The alarm, which the horse heard, was a familiar sound in Richmond for many years. L. H. McCullough invented the alarm system in 1874. A paid fire department was first started in December 1872. The first paid Fire Chief was I.G. Dougan serving as Fire Chief from 1872 - 1879. Ed. M. Miller served on the fire department for many years. He first joined the fire department in 1889 and served as Chief from 1906 to 1931. He died in the line of duty on February 11, 1931 having been overcome by smoke while fighting a house fire on Liberty Avenue.

In 1900, the Richmond Fire Department had three firehouses and fifteen men who worked full time. Horses were still being used and there were fifty alarm boxes. The paid firemen still depended on volunteers for extra help when there was a big fire. Today there is very little use for volunteer helpers. There are no fire horses and red fire trucks are used.

Present Day

The present paid department was established on December 5, 1872. In 1896, there were 15 men at three stations. In 1906, there were 21 men at four stations. Today the Richmond Fire Department is made up of six (6) fire stations manned by eighty-one (81) firefighters assigned to three (3) shifts (25 per shift) with the balance assigned to administration The City of Richmond's coverage is 23.821 square miles as of February 24, 2000. With additional contractual protection, the fire department protects over approximately sixty-two (62) square miles.

Equipment manned includes:

• six (6) engine companies
• one (1) rescue
• one (1) 100' aerial company
• two (2) grass fire units
• two (2) standby engines
• one (1) water rescue unit.

The services provided include:

• Fire Suppression
• First Responder Medical Services
• Code Enforcement
• Auto Extrication
• Heavy Rescue Swift Water Rescue
• Dive Team Services
• Inspections/Arson Investigations
• Hazardous Material Decontamination
• Public Fire Education (adult and youth).

We also have a full time Fire Training Chief with continual education programs. In the 1970's, a new concept of placing fire stations away from the core area, except station #1, was implemented. Now we can give all citizens in developing fringe areas the same prompt response time given the core area.

There have been only four men killed in the line of duty, two of whom were father and son. They are William Kenny, Earl Miller, Edgar Miller and Lawrence Ghearing.

There have been approximately 387 documented members in the past 134 years that have served the City of Richmond as a firefighter. The department has a Chief, Assistant Chief, Fire Prevention Chief, two Inspection Specialists and one Training Chief. Every effort is being made by the department and City Administration to keep the men and equipment as updated as possible for the safety of its citizens and firefighters alike. Today's fire department works with a budget of some $4,668,333.00.

Many uses have been found for old fire stations still standing

Old fire station #1, located at 400 North 8th Street, is used for an American Legion Post. Old fire station #2, located at 262 Fort Wayne Avenue is used as a business office. Old fire station #3, located at 1515 North "A" Street is used as mechanic shops. Old fire station #4, located at 831 South "E" Street is used as a tinted window business and old fire station #5, located at 232 N.W. 5th Street is used as an apartment building. However, no use can come close to the service these buildings and the many men who spent the better part of their lives responding from their opening doors to the heart throbbing call and uncertainties of FIRE. Today we have six firehouses in Richmond. They are located in different parts of the city so that they will be close to any part of town. When there is a fire, more than one company answers the call.

Location of Richmond's Fire Stations

• Station #1 is located at 101 South 5th Street - built in 1969
• Station #2 is located at 930 Winding Ridge Drive - built in 1975
• Station #3 is located at 4300 Woodside Drive - built in 1975
• Station #4 is located at 801 South "L" Street - built in 1962
• Station #5 is located at 1971 West Main Street - built in 1972
• Station #6 is located at 1501 NW 5th Street - built in 1960

Future Growth

As the city grows, there will be need for more firehouses. The fire department is thinking about that need. Taxes pay for the work of the fire department. Today, we work on fire prevention as well as on fire fighting. Each year the mayor of the city dedicates a proclamation in recognition of Fire Prevention Week observed nationally in October of every year. The purpose of Fire Prevention Week is to bring awareness of the importance of smoke detectors and maintaining them, preplanning home and work exit drills and home and work safe storage of hazardous materials and all around importance of fire safety.