Check your smoke alarms to make sure they are functioning properly.
Discard fireplace ashes in a steel container away from any combustibles.
Like the Emporia Fire Department on Facebook!
Fire Department Headlines:
Check your smoke alarms to make sure they are functioning properly.
Discard fireplace ashes in a steel container away from any combustibles.
Like the Emporia Fire Department on Facebook!
History
The Emporia fire service originated with the volunteer bucket brigade, followed shortly thereafter by hand-pulled hose carts. The first recorded service was with Fire Company Number 1, which was organized in 1873 with J. L. Bell as President.
When Fire Company Number 1 began operations, the major equipment consisted of hand-pulled hose wagons. In 1871, a wagon owner named Tom Ryan constructed the first fire wagon. By 1882, the equipment consisted of two hose carts named "Champion" and "Defiance", a Babcock engine and a hand-pulled hook and ladder truck. In 1883 a horse drawn reel wagon was purchased which meant that the firefighters no longer had to pull the equipment to their destination. The department became motorized in 1916.
In 1941, the Emporia Fire Department moved into its present headquarters in the Civic Auditorium Building. At this time there were 24 firefighters on 2 shifts with 10 vehicles and other first aid and rescue equipment.
In 1973, the department began operating the Lyon County Ambulance Service. The department went to a 3 platoon system in 1975. At this time the number of employees rose to 27 members.
Fire Station 2 was opened in April of 1979. It has been used as the department's training grounds and was used as the primary medical helipad for Emporia. There was 1 officer and 4 firefighters assigned to Station 2 at that time. Station 2 housed 1 ambulance, 2 pumpers, 1 brush fire unit, 1 reserve pumper and 2 rescue boats.
In 1998, Code Services (Building Inspection) was added to the Emporia Fire Department. This division has a Chief of Code Services, 2 Code Service Officers and 1 secretary.
The Emporia Fire Department is now 134 years old with an authorized strength of 4 administrative staff, 2 secretarial staff members, 2 Code Service Officers, 45 shift fire/EMS personnel, a minimum of 3 part time personnel and a minimum of 10 volunteer personnel. Station 1 is headquarters for the Chief, Assistant Chief and Secretary. The Fire Marshal is located with Code Services. Today, Station 1 has 9 personnel assigned each shift including the Battalion Chief, Captain and 7 firefighters. This station houses 2 ambulances, 2 pumpers, 1 rescue truck, one grass rig, 2 tankers and the haz-mat response trailer. Station 2 has 6 personnel assigned to each shift with a Captain and 5 firefighters. This station houses a variety of equipment including two ambulances, 1 quint, 1 pumper, 1 grass rig and 1 squad and 2 rescue boats and a utility pick-up.
Major Fires and Disasters