On Dec.21, 1891, the City of Elwood made a firm commitment toward the future. Through it’s Committee on Fire and Water, Elwood ordered one hose wagon and one hook and ladder truck for the cities first, soon to be organized, Fire Dept. The city also invested $3000.00 to purchase land from William G. Fesler, located in the 1400 block of Main St., where today stands the True Value store.
The Elwood Fire Dept. officially opened for business of saving lives and property on April 1, 1892. The Dept had 3 fully paid members, Chief Patrick O’Brian, Frank Stillwell, and Joe Spigal. The Dept. operated with one horse drawn hose wagon and one hand drawn hook and ladder truck for 3 years. A second horse drawn wagon, hook and ladder was purchased on Jan. 12, 1895.
Through the years, the Fire Dept. used horse drawn equipment utilizing 12 horses, with four being stabled at any given time. The horses were trained so that in the least amount of time the wagons could roll. The horses stables were in the rear of the Fire Barn, with the wagons located near the front doors. The horses harnesses were suspended on a hook above the wagon tongue. When the alarm sounded the stable gate would automatically open and the trained horses would bolt to their positions at the wagon tongue as the harnesses would drop on their backs and be fastened to the wagon. The on duty horses always had their bits in their mouth and bridles on. The bits were removed only during feeding time. The old-time firefighters would testify they could harness their horses and be out of the station as fast as the modern firemen could do the same with their motorized trucks.
The training of these horses was handled in a very unique manner. A rope was tied to the horse’s bridle, with the other end attached to the wagon tongue. As the alarm sounded, a man, standing behind the horse, would touch the horse with the whip and the horse would follow his natural instinct to the wagon tongue where he was fastened in his harness. This practice was repeated until the response from the horse was automatic.
Most horses adjusted to their training well, although one horse named Crazy Bill had trouble understanding his assignment. The Old-time firemen would report that if someone was not on hand to grab Crazy Bill, he would go wild, breaking the wagon tongue, upsetting the stove and racing wildly about the station.
In the early days of the horse drawn fire wagons it was not unusual to see the wagons approaching turns at full speed, broadsiding the wagon around the turn and sometimes upsetting themselves, scattering hose and ladders about the street.
On June 15, 1892 the City sought to modernize the Fire Dept. , and the Committee on Fire and Water recommended the purchase of a Gamewell Alarm System. This system of alarm boxes located throughout the city was a vital part of the fire service for many years. The City of Elwood stoped using the system in 2003, when the new station was built.
In 1896 the Fire Dept. moved to the Elwood City Building located at 16th and Main sts. in downtown Elwood. On Aug. 20, 1917, the City decided to take another giant step into the future with the purchase of a Type A, 4 cylinder Brockway Hose and Ladder truck from LaFrance Fire Engine Co. at a cost of $3500.00. That same year the last run was made by the horse drawn fire wagons on a fire at the Opera House. The City auctioned off the horses and wagons on May 4, 1918. In 2003 The City of Elwood built a new city building at 1505 South B St. This is where the Fire Station is now located.
In the 107 year history of the Elwood Fire Dept., only 2 men have lost their lives in the line of duty. They were Pick Lear in 1955, and Theodore "Pete" Wilson in 1962. They both sustained heart attacks while fighting fires.
On Sept. 2, 1955, the Elwood Fire Dept. received a gift from an Army Major. Skipper, a Dalmatian, became a honorary member of the Dept. He rode in the cab of the fire trucks until his weight reached 90+ pounds. Then a special ramp was built so that Skipper could board the ladder truck. He would bark furiously as the siren wailed enroute to the fire scene. Skipper would run errands for the fire dept. and return with the packages unharmed. If the package contained his meat scrapes, he would wait until a fireman opened the wrapping to eat his bounty.
In 1971, firefighter Kenny Hill decided to design a patch for the Elwood Fire Dept.
The unique design of the patch shows some of the pride all the members have for their job.
The flags of the United States and the State of Indiana adorn the top of the Patch.
The Name of the Dept falls right below the flags.
The symbol of the Fire Service, The Maltese Cross, covers a background of flames.
At the bottom of the Maltese Cross contains two stars, representing the two men who gave their lives in the line of duty.
And at the bottom of the Patch, a picture of the Dept. Snorkel, which was the first Snorkel purchased in the State of Indiana.
From horse drawn wagon to modern fire engines, the Elwood Fire Dept. has seen many changes in the last 107 years. Today, the trucks are designed for many different types of fire related duties. At the Elwood Fire Dept., the trucks are numbered by the different main function of the vehicle. They are:
7-1 Lead Pump ---------------------2006 FFA Spartan
7-2 Pump and Ladder truck------------1996 FFA Spartan
7-3 Lead Ambulance and Rescue ----------2006 Ford Box Type
7-4 Snorkel(First in Indiana)----------------1960 Pitman
7-5 Back-up Ambulance ----2000 Ford box Type 3
7-6 Back-up Pump---------------------1975 Ford Bean
7-7 Chiefs Vehicle-----------------------1995 Suburban
7-8 Back-up Ambulance and Rescue-----------1995 International Box Type3
Today the Fire Dept has 19 men. There are usually 5 men on duty, with each man working a 24 hour shift. When the alarm sounds for a fire emergency, 2 trucks and an Ambulance will respond. When aid is needed at the scene of a auto accident, 1 Truck and an Ambulance will respond. When there is a medical emergency at home or work, an Ambulance will arrive in approximately 2 minutes.
The Elwood Fire Dept. responds to many different situations besides fires. Firefighters climb after suicidal ledge walkers, victims of swimming, truck, bicycle, motorcycle, and pedestrian accidents. They rush to the scenes of chemical, oil, and gas spills. Fire rescue is first called for plane crashes, floods, tornadoes, lighting strikes, electrocutions, power line emergencies, domestic violence, child abuse, hostage situations, rapes, and murders.
15 members of the Elwood Fire Dept are 1st Class Firefighters with the 4 newest members getting ready to start their training.
14 members of the Dept. are certified E.M.T.s.
5 members of the Dept are certified as Master Arson Investigators.
The Elwood Fire Dept. is striving to be well trained in all types of emergencies to better service the community.
The unknown author who wrote "A Firemans Prayer" put into words what a fireman feels when the alarm sounds.
The unknown author tells about some of the trials a Firemans Wife must endure.
The unknown author describes what a Fireman is.
Speical thanks goes to Ken Badger for compiling the History of the Elwood Fire Dept.
