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Hume
Fire Chief – Arthur Yoakam was approached by the Board of Trustees to
advise what would be needed to form a Fire Department. It was
determined what equipment would be needed and type of manning necessary
to adequately provide protection for heavy industrial areas.
Full-Time Firefighters would be hired to supplement a volunteer corps of
firefighters. Aerial ladder truck and certain pumping requirements
would be needed for the department.
A
special levy was placed on the ballot for funding.
Arthur Yoakam was hired as the first Fire Chief of the Department – 1959
Salary of $7200 per year.
Fire
House was built by Stedke Construction Co. on Ft. Amanda Rd. on land
leased from Allen County.
The
First fire truck arrived in late 1959 before any firefighters were
hired. It made its first official response out of the newly constructed
station on a car fire at Buckeye and Ft Amanda roads. Chief Yoakam and a
visitor the Fire Chief from St Marys was on station before anyone else
had been hired.
The
first firefighters hired as full-timers made up 2 platoons working an
average of 76 hours per work week. Ten were hired and paid $363
per month each. Volunteers were also placed on the roster in
1960, 20 members originally joined. Initial equipment consisted
of: 1959 Ford 75’ Pirsch Ladder Truck, 1959 Ford 1000 gpm pumper / 600
gallons of water, 1959 Ford 750 gpm pumper / 1000 gallons of water and a
1959 Chevy panel truck / 250 gallons.
Radios and pagers were not available so notifying the volunteer
firefighters was accomplished by a large 7 ½ hp siren mounted on top of
the roof of the hose tower.(Still in service) Dispatching was done out
of the fire department by firefighters at first, after that, by
retirees. The department was preparing to officially answer alarms
in June 1960 but after crews were formed and before all training was
complete the community started calling their own department.
Dispatch facilities remained in the F.D. for several years until the new
administration building was completed. July 1965 First Crew
Officers were appointed: Robert Deubler - Captain, Harold Rahrig –
Captain, John Feison – Lieutenant & Farrel Welch – Lieutenant
1974
Emergency Ambulance service established and 9 more personnel were
hired.
1977
Advanced Life Services provided by Paramedics.
1979
Fire Prevention Bureau established and headed by John Truesdale.
February 1986 Hume Fire Department transferred to the STFD – Building,
2 trucks and 15 Volunteer Firefighters and all turn-out Gear.
Initially identified as Shawnee District 2 station. District 2
Hume station was decommissioned in 2005 as it became obsolete to keep it
open.
Chiefs
in order of appointment.
Arthur Yoakam 1959 –1977
Dale
Brown 1977-1984
Harold Rahrig 1984-1986
William Litsey 1986-2000
David
Belton 2000-2002
Tim
Mosher 2002- Current
The
Ladies Auxiliary has been supporting the operations of STFD for many
years. Audrey McCune was one of the founding members of the organization
in the 1970’s. The Ladies remained active for nearly 25 - 30 years. In
the late 1990’s and early 2000’s the group did not function as an
organization, but Audrey McCune along with Kenny provided support to
STFD when rehab was needed on fire calls. Theresa Paxson also assumed
this important function.
In
spring of 2008 interest was initiated by STFD personnel spouses. The
organization was revitalized and numerous women committed to making the
organization a successful part of STFD.
Special Thanks to
FF Ron Luttrell for this project.
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