Farewell Department, Hello Fire
District
In 1946 the department made three big moves.
First, it purchased a new 600 gallon Chevrolet pumper, which replaced the
1926 Reo. Second, the decision was made to construct a new fire
station. And third, it put on the ballot a referendum that, if passes
by the voters, would create a fire district. The vote did pass and
the Harmony Fire District was born.
Now that the Harmony Fire Department and Improvement
Association was defunct their assets were deeded to the new district.
This included all the equipment and land, which included the old station
and hotel. Also affected were the fundraisers that use to be the sole
means of income for the Association. Now that income was generated by
taxes most of these events were eliminated.
Ground was broken in 1948 for the new station, at a
cost of $19,000. Part of the agreement made by the Association with the new
District was the donation of $4,000 towards a new station. The
stipulation was that the building include a kitchen and room for the
Harmony Library Association. When the station was completed
approximately 3,500 books had a new home. This left no need for the
old hotel and barn, which was eventually demolished.
One of the biggest needs for the District was a rescue
squad. In 1951 a Navy surplus truck was purchased for this purpose.
It required some modifications to meet the needs of the squad and the
membership performed the work themselves. In a short time the money
was raised to outfit the truck and Harmony had its first rescue vehicle.
Another truck was purchased in 1952. This was a
new Seagrave tanker-pumper. This truck was state-of-the-art, with a
conventional volume pump and a hi-pressure fog pump. As of today this
truck is still officially in service, although its main function is for
shows and parades.
Past Articles:
Part 1
- It all Started in 1924
Part 2 - 1925 - The First
Fire Station
Part 3 - Paying off Loans
and Purchasing the Barn
Part 4 - The War Takes Many Firefighters
Away
