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Picture: Stanwood Volunteer Fire Department
Front Row, Left to right, John Schultz, Art St. John, Darrel Worby, Ken Koch, Glen Gadke, Keith Flockhart, Art Koering, Jim Brendes, Klaus Knoop and John Tenley.
Back Row, Left to Right, Paul Gadke, Robert Koch, Leonard Bromell, Jr. Hegarty, Ray Klemme, Ralph Nodruft, Robert Flockhart, Gordon Licht, Reginald Olson, Mike Long, Willis McGuire and Dr. E. W. Speer.

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FIRE DEPARTMENT

       Earliest fire protection for Stanwood was the bucket brigade. Fire department minutes tell us the firemen were organized in 1889, with a balance of $11.53 and a membership roll of fourteen. In July of 1903 a new fire hose cart was purchased and a vote of thanks had been sent to the Tipton Fire Company for a used hose cart. These early firemen were called to a fire by the ringing of a bell, and the minutes of the February 13, 1906 meeting state: “The town council made a standing offer of $2.00 for the first man to hitch the team to a hose cart and deliver same to fire and return it to hose house again after fire has been extinguished.” The horses used were the ones most readily available, including those that might be hitched near the hose station.

       Many different events were scheduled for fund raising such as ice cream socials, dances, and a masquerade ball, February 1904. For a note of interest: Admission was 75¢ and 25¢ for spectators. The ball brought in a profit of $2.83.

       In 1911 a decision was made to adopt a constitution and by-laws, and so Stanwood Volunteer Fire department #1 was organized. They received a balance of $15.68 from the old fire company and the following apparatus: 2 coats, 1 cap, 6 buckets, 1 axe, 2 lanterns, 2 ladders, 1 basket hoop, 2 grab hooks and rope. A new fire whistle was purchased for $7.00, plus express. After installation they decided to make it a town whistle as well as a fire whistle. Det Richard blew it at 7:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., daily. Today it is operated by an electric time clock.

       A new Ford chemical outfit was purchased for $785.00 in 1913 and a resolution passed to charge $5.00 for fires outside the city limits.

       At that time, as now, firemen to be eligible for membership must be approved by the town council and must take the necessary oaths. Early assessment for missing a meeting was 10¢. Presently it is 25¢.

       As early as 1920 the department was beginning to raise funds for a new fire truck. In 1929 a new modern truck was purchased with pump available to get water from hydrants, wells or cisterns. The approximate cost of $3,300.00.

       This was replaced in 1944 with a shiny, new white Chevrolet truck with pump and extra hose at a cost of between $4,200.00 and $4,500.00. It was purchased by money raised by a $30.00 assessment by each land owner, by town people as they desired.

       The latest bright red fire truck was purchased in 1964. It is complete with electrical self-priming pump, ladders, power reels for hose, at a cost of $16,000.00. The money was raised by taxation over a period of years.

       Present day equipment includes a 1500 gallon water tanker available for fire fighting requiring extra water supply, a “crash wagon” that carries all personnel equipment including: Helmets, rain coats, boots, axes, hooks, first aid equipment and all other necessary supplies.

       Membership now is twenty two men. They are organized and have regular monthly meetings and occasional practice drills. A fire phone is readily available in sixteen of the members homes. A majority of the men have received certificates of first aid training from both the Civil Defense and Red Cross. The men are also drivers for the town ambulance whenever it is needed for any type of emergency.

Pictures: Train wreck 3 ½ miles East of Stanwood, April 23, 1908
Herb Meyers oil station and John Grant’s office
Fire in Milton Furniture Store now George’s Party Room about 1916.
I. R. Mackey, snowstorm in 1936