Elwood Fire Department

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Elwood Fire Dept 1896-2003

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, 1891. 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.

Speical thanks goes to Lt. Ken Badger for compiling the History of the Elwood Fire Dept.

The Fire Dept. moved in this new building on March 11th, 2003, leaving the old station after 107 years. The New City Building is located at 1505 South B St. It houses the City Offices of the Mayor, Clerk-Treasurer, City Court, Fire Dept.,Police Dept., City Water Office, Building Commissioner and Economic Development Director.

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.

Brad Compton became Chief September 1, 2011

Here are a few pictures of the inside of the Elwood Fire Dept.

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elwoodfiredept@hotmail.com