Revised in 1961 under the leadership of Chief Lester Reid, Fire Marshal Arlo Parks and Captains Walter O'Dell and Dicer Hodge.
As you pass the Owosso Fire Department and see the nice shiny equipment, don't think it has always been that way. In fact, our forefathers worked hard, starting from nothing, to secure the protection that they needed.
In 1870 Owosso purchased a hook-and-ladder wagon and eight Babcock fire extinguishers. This was to improve the efficiency of the unorganized volunteers who were operating with some fifty leather fire buckets and eight or ten ladders.
More and more the volunteers realized their need for system and organization, and in May, 1876, a Silby Steam Pipe Engine, capable of pumping 500 gallons a minute was purchased by the City and put into service. At this time the volunteers organized and Thomas D. Dewey was elected Chief Engineer, A. E. McCullem, J. Fred Wildermuth and Nathaniel A. Finch were elected as foremen. At this time there were about fifty volunteers.
This fire fighting equipment was housed at the corner of East Main and Park Streets, in a building where the Capitol Theatre now stands.
A fire in the Central School, on April 1, 1900, took the life of the only man to die in the line of duty in the history of the Owosso Fire Department. Fred Ross was killed by a falling wall, as was a student at the school, Frank Tucker.
In 1908, as Owosso grew and the need arose, a part paid department was started with James Brown as Chief and a crew of twelve men working nine days before getting a day off and taking turns going home to eat, This part paid department was assisted by about forty "call men".
In 1910 Claude Craig replaced James Brown as Fire Chief. Mr. Brown moved to Lansing where he later became Fire Alarm Superintendent of the Lansing Fire Department.
In 1911 a #2 station was opened. It was located on West Main Street between the Michigan Central Railroad tracks and State Street. In 1917 Owosso received its first motorized equipment with the purchase of a Reo Chemical and Hose Truck.
In 1918 William Howell replaced Mr. Craig as Fire Chief and served until 1929 when Mr. Craig again became Chief.
In 1921 Owosso purchased the American Larance Pumper that still remains in the station and has served well when called on in the event of a disastrous fire. Also, in 1921 the "call men" were laid off and the Department became a full paid Department.
A few years following this the Owosso Fire Department moved to its present quarters. The building at 202 South Water Street had been known as the Copas Slaughter House. The first winter in the new location was a memorable one for those men in the Department for the building had to be heated by stoves.
In 1924 the trend for shorter hours brought about what is known as the "Two Platoon System." When this went into effect it required the firemen to be on duty 84 hours a week, and these men were subject to call any time during their off duty hours. This still holds true today, and we still are subject to call in case of emergency during our off duty hours without any additional pay.
In 1926 the #2 station was closed in order to cut down the expenses of the Department.
The City purchased our Service Truck in the fall of 1929. This truck is in excellent condition today and carries much of the equipment as it makes the runs to each and every residential fire in the City. In 1942 an American LaFrance Pumper, capable of pumping 750 gallons of water a minute was purchased by the City.
In 1943 a law was passed by the State Legislature cutting the hours of paid Fire Departments to 73 hours a week.
In 1944 Roy Coakes was appointed Chief on the death of Mr.Craig and served in that capacity until January 1, 1961,after serving more than 35 years in the Department.
In 1945 the taxpayers of the City of Owosso voted to have a retirement system for all City employees.
In 1952 the City purchased an American LaFrance Pumper, capable of pumping 1000 gallons of water a minute, and an American LaFrance 85 foot Aerial Ladder Truck, It was also in 1952 that 2-way radios were installed in four pieces of fire apparatus.
As the need arose for stricter inspections and more training to cope with the advancement in the manufacturing processes, a Fire Marshal was appointed December 1, 1955, Arlo Parks was appointed at that time and is at the present time serving in that capacity. It was also in 1955 that the City Commission granted a 63-hour workweek to the Firemen.
During Fire Prevention Week of 1960, the Fire Department was opened to the public by an Open House, with an attendance of over 2200 people.
Upon the retirement of Chief Roy Coakes on January 1, 1961, Captain Lester Reid was appointed Chief to succeed Mr. Coakes. Chief Reid at that tine had had 23 years of service in the Department.
During March 1961, fire alarm equipment was donated by the Lansing Fire Department to replace our outdated and very inadequate system. It was at this tine that a Dispatcher's room was built to house the equipment.
By public demand, the Department decided to hold Open House again during Fire Prevention Week, October 8 - 14, 1961. For this event the Fireman have busied themselves, covering up almost 20 years of old paint with new and making a few changes here and there to make "home" presentable.
The Fire Department is a member of the National Fire Protection Association and all Firemen are members of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
For a slight glimpse of a fireman's 24-hour day, here is an example:
Roll Call: 7:00 A.M.
House Duties: 7:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.
Leisure Time: 10:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.
Dinner and K.P.: 11:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.:
Classroom work, consisting of studying different chemicals which we might have to contend with in fighting
fires, studying location of streets, fire alarm boxes, hydrants and sprinkler connections, fire department
knots, building construction, etc. When the weather permits, class time is sometimes utilized for ladder
practice, hose elevations, Pumper operations, etc,
3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.:
Inspection of buildings, including churches, factories, department stores,
etc.
5:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.:
Supper hour and K.P. The balance of the 24 hours is utilized for further study
courses when deemed necessary, or is leisure time for the men.
The Firemen cook and serve both their noon and evening meal at the fire station, These meals are paid for by the men and the average cost to each man is approximately $16.00 per month. Due to the growth of the City, the industries and the outlying areas, it wilt become necessary in the near future to add sufficient fire equipment and stations to protect these high value areas.
We, the Chief & Fire Marshal find Firemen appreciate your interest in Your Fire Department. We hope you will come and visit us again. Remember, our doors are always open to the public.
Thanks to David Drummelsmith for providing this 1961 written report.