The Heritage Center: Springfield’s firefighting history

In its early years, Springfield had only volunteer fire companies, and, until the first volunteers formed in 1837, it was the duty of every citizen to lend a hand when the fire alarm sounded. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CLARK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Credit: HANDOUT

Credit: HANDOUT

In its early years, Springfield had only volunteer fire companies, and, until the first volunteers formed in 1837, it was the duty of every citizen to lend a hand when the fire alarm sounded. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CLARK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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By Staff report
Updated June 22, 2018
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In its early years, Springfield had only volunteer fire companies, and, until the first volunteers formed in 1837, it was the duty of every citizen to lend a hand when the fire alarm sounded.

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Following the Civil War, volunteer brigades were disbanded and a paid fire department was organized.

ExploreThe Heritage Center: Wartime support from back home

Three catastrophic fires in the first five years of the 20th century demonstrated the need for the fire department to further expand and modernize, bringing in motorized trucks like the Ahrens-Fox.

ExploreThe Heritage Center: Springfield’s Big Four Station

Firefighting has come a long way from the leather and metal buckets supplied by homeowners, and the story of the shift to modernization is told at the Heritage Center.

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Staff report