To all past and present fire fighters
and EMS personnel, we THANK YOU for serving our community. Your
dedication and support was and is gratefully appreciated! Without
you, there would not be a Palmyra Fire Department.
The following history has been taken
from Palmyra Township Board of Trustee and Fire Department minutes as well as
retired fire personnel.
Before the actual Fire Department
building was erected, Palmyra housed their truck at the garage beside
the Palmyra School.
The following men were the first
Palmyra firemen: I. Brumbaugh, Claude Brogan, Leonard Cannon, Jack
Chilson, Willard Church, Ira Cowell, William H. Cowell, James W.
Derry, Paul DeVore, Robert Evans, Charles E. Fisher, Robert
Fitzsimmons, Elmer Henceroth, J. Albert Hill, Norris Hughes, Arthur
William Hunsicker, Robert Kehres, Ed P. Kruse, Sidney Matthews,
Richard McKenzie, Terry McKenzie, Edward Morrison, Darst Pritchard,
Lee Ronald, Julius Rose, Hubert Spencer, Claude Thomas, Elbert
Tomlinson, Henry Westover, and Sidney Williams.
Wallace McKenzie was not an official
member, but contributed a great deal.
We hope all original firemen are
listed, but if not, please let us know. Thank-you
All original firemen were trained by
Sol Trainer through the Sebring Fire Department. Mr. Trainer set
rules and regulations which the firemen were expected to follow.
Some firemen stated they wouldn’t have joined had they known they
couldn’t do certain things that Mr. Trainer forbid during the
training meetings; such as smoking. After the training, some firemen
did leave the department.
August 3, 1953 Palmyra
Township Trustees discussed purchasing fire fighting equipment for
the township. Trustees felt it necessary to levy an additional tax
of two mills on each $1.00 of valuation for the purpose of purchasing
fire fighting equipment. Trustees are V. S. Hawn, Corley Fox and
J.P. Cessna.
August 17, 1953 Trustees held
a special meeting to name a fire chief. They voted unanimously to
name Hubert Spencer as first Fire Chief. Trustees elected to
have an additional two mills over and above the 10 mill levy to
provide fire equipment for the township.
January 4, 1954 Trustees
appropriated from the general fund, $2500 for the purchase of
equipment and $100 for other expenses of fire protection. The John
J. O’Doherty Fire Equipment Company was represented by Mr. Bernard
M. O’Doherty, to sell the Trustees a used fire truck for $995. The
truck was a tanker style 1941 GMC chassis with a 500 GPM front
mounted pump, with a booster tank that has a 1150 gallon capacity,
pump fittings are 21/2”, 4-12’ ladders, flasher lights, siren,
spotlight, and two sections of suction hose. Mr. V. S. Hawn moved
that the trustees purchase the truck. Corley Fox seconded the motion
and vote was all in favor by V. S. Hawn, Corley Fox and J.P. Cessna.
February 18, 1954 It was
decided to erect a building of cement block 40’ x 60’ with a
space of 20’ x 30’ to be used for a township garage to store
township owned road equipment. Corley Fox moved that the fire
department building committee get figures for the cost of material
for the building with three overhead doors, necessary windows and an
oil furnace. All labor and construction will be donated by the fire
department personnel.
May 3, 1954 Trustees agreed to
pay the fire department $25 per month for services rendered to the
township, provided the members show 75% attendance at meetings and
fires. This compensation will begin April 1, 1954. Trustees agreed
to purchase two Indian Fire Pumps from Warren Fire Equipment at a
cost of about $80.
May 19, 1954 Trustees will
receive sealed bids for a fire siren and controls. The siren is to
be equipped with a 71/2 horse power 220 volt three phase motor. One
remote control, one general alarm control, three start and stop
buttons and one 75 amp master switch.
June 7, 1954 Paid M.H. Koppes
Clay Products $ 139.36 for cement block work for the fire station.
Bids were opened for the fire siren. Lowest bid was from and went to
John J. O’Deherty for $583.00 less 2%.
July 2, 1954 Trustees agreed
that $.20 per thousand valuations be used to set up a Fireman’s
Indemnity Fund.
July 16, 1954 Trustees
rejected all bids for building material for fire station and garage
due to changing design of roof from a flat built up roof to a gable
type roof.
August 16, 1954 Opened bids
and accepted lowest bid from Ravenna Lumber Coal and Supply Company
of $ 2512.84 less 2% for cash discount for material for fire station.
September 6, 1954 Paid John J.
O’Doherty $571.34 for fire siren. Paid Pfile Builders Supplies for
4500 brick at a total cost of $183.
October 4, 1954 Paid M. H.
Koppes Clay Products $111.49 for cement block.
December 6, 1954 Trustees
received only one bid for an oil furnace. They opened and accepted bid
of Verne Locke for $950 for a Luxaire furnace with a 224000 BTU
output.
December 27, 1954 Paid the
following firemen $9.00 each for their volunteer fireman service:
Charles Fisher, Hubert Spencer, Edward Morrison, Sidney Williams,
Norris Hughes, William H. Cowell, Leonard Cannon, Robert Kehres,
William Hunsicker, Paul Challstrom, J. Albert Hill, Elbert C.
Tomlinson, Sidney Matthews, Julius H. Rose, Ed P. Kruse, Jack
Chilson, Ira Cowell, Darst Pritchard, Lee Ronald, Robert Fitzsimmons,
Henry Westover, Willard Church, Claude Thomas, Elmer Henceroth, and
Paul DeVore.
March 7, 1955 Paid Stamm
Contracting Company $130.20 for 8 ½ yards of concrete for
floor
May 2, 1955 Paid Charles
Horning $88.50 for 6 yards concrete for fire dept. floor.
August 1, 1955 Paid V.S. Hawn
$2.42 for bolts and padlock for the fire department
Paid Warren Fire Equipment $200.00 for
Scott Airpack
Paid P.C. Shafer $489.25 for 4,750
gallons of oil
Paid Craig Beach Fie Department $250
for fire protection to April 1, 1955
September 14, 1955 Trustees
accepted and agreed to the following bids:
Bernard M. O’Doherty for Unit B and C
$8189.95 and the bid of Libis Garage Inc. of Atwater for $4290 for
Unit A
December 5, 1955 Paid $200 from the
General Fund to pay the following fire fighters $12 each for the year
1955 services: Charles Fisher, Hubert Spencer, Edward Morrison,
Sidney Williams, Norris Hughes, William H. Cowell, Leonard Cannon,
Robert Kehres, William Hunsicker, Paul Challstrom, J. Albert Hill,
Joe McLay, Elbert C. Tomlinson, Sidney Matthews, Julius H. Rose, Ed
P. Kruse, Jack Chilson, Ira Cowell, Charles Jones, James Hughes,
William Hunter, Robert Fitzsimmons, Claude Thomas, Elmer Henceroth,
and Henry Westover.
January 2, 1956 Trustees
appropriated from the Fire Department Building and Equipment Fund for
the purpose of building and purchase of equipment $9000. Plans at
this time are to borrow $6000 from the Second National Bank in
Ravenna, Ohio to pay for one new fire truck to be delivered on
January 21, 1056. This note is to be paid by the two mill levy fund
which the county auditor estimates to be $4703 in 1956, leaving a
balance of about $1300 to be paid on said note from this fund in the
year 1957. Agreed to pay each fireman $12 per year salary of wages
up to 25 firemen OR $300 per year total for the fire department.
January 21, 1956 Fire truck
was delivered by Howe Fire Apparatus Company of Anderson, Indiana as
described in bid for Unit B & C on September 14, 1955. Truck was
purchased for $8189.55.
January 28, 1956 Trustees met
to accept and pay for the delivery of the truck chassis of the new
fire engine from Mr. Libis of Libis Garage in Atwater, Ohio. Mr.
Libis was paid $4290 the contract price less $50 freight or $4240 for
this International truck chassis.
October 1, 1956 Received
the resignation of Hubert Spencer as fire chief in a letter dated
September 29, 1956. Corley Fox moved to appoint William Hunsicker as
acting chief until the vacancy is filled. All three trustees agreed.
December 3, 1956 Paid the
following firemen $15 each for services in 1956: Charles Fisher,
Sidney Williams, Norris Hughes, William H. Cowell, Leonard Cannon,
Robert Kehres, William Hunsicker, J. Albert Hill, Joe McLay, Julius
H. Rose, Ed P. Kruse, Robert Fitzsimmons, Claude Thomas, Elmer
Henceroth, Charles Steele, Robert Williams, Benson Miles, Lloyd Main,
and Henry Westover.
Paid $121.53 to Brett Sheet Metal for
spouting at fire station.
March 22, 1957 Trustees agreed
to assign house numbers for the township as presented by the County
at a cost to Palmyra $150 when project is competed.
June 3, 1957 Trustees approved
to purchase a portable light plant from Warren Fire Equipment for
$425 less 10% discount.
December 2, 1957 Paid 28
firemen $10.35 each for the year’s service.
J.O. Westover and Frank W. North were
voted to the Fire Department Indemnity Board as the two trustees with
George Walter and Roy Hill as the two firemen elected to the same
board. Dale Mizer was elected 5th member and Secretary.
March 3, 1958 Howe Fire
Apparatus Company was paid $15.60 for a valve for the fire truck.
Agreed to hire Verne Locke to install pipe and registers connected to
the furnace for heating the new restrooms at the fire station at an
estimated cost of $126.00.
June 1, 1959 Trustees decided
to accept bids for a Willy’s Jeep to fight small fires.
July 1, 1959 Accepted bid for
1959 Willy’s Jeep from Downtown Motor Sales Inc. of 700 Niles Rd.
SE, Warren, Ohio for $2372 with delivery being in about 10 days.
December 7, 1959 Paid 25
firemen $12 each for 1959 service. Warren Fire Equipment was paid
$410 for 200’ of 2 ½” fire hose.
December 5, 1960 Ray Corbett
motioned that fire chief be paid $15 per month for services beginning
January 1, 1961 and to be paid every 3 months at $45. Trustees
approved this motion.
December 2, 1961 Paid Warren
Fire Equipment $488.99 for two lengths of suction hose: 10’ of 4 ½”
(cost around $300) and 100’ of 2 ½” discharge hose at
approximate cost of $215.
August 2, 1962 Accepted lowest
bid to purchase from Sutphen Fire Equipment for Unit B $5995 less
$1000 for trade-in. Purchase will be a 1962 International 1800.
November 4, 1963 Chief William
Hunsicker was given permission to install radios into fire trucks at
the fire departments expense. F. D. is also responsible for
maintenance of radios and any other expense connected with radios.
January 4, 1965 Trustees
inventory of fire department listed same trucks and equipment as
1964, but added: 1956 International 500 gallon truck with front
mounted pump, hose reels and other equipment to fight fires.
Trustees paid Warren Fire Equipment
$160.03 for 6 bunker coats.
May 5, 1965 Purchased brass
valve $32.85 from Warren Fire Equipment
April 4, 1966 It was moved and
approved by the trustees to purchase an aluminum ladder and canvas
tarp.
June 6, 1966 Wickliffe
Tarpaulin was paid $53.75 for tarp for fire department.
June 5, 1967 Warren Fire
Equipment was paid $67 for aluminum ladder.
February 3, 1969 Warren Fire
Equipment was paid $40.90 for fireman’s boots.
May 19, 1969 Warren Fire
Equipment was paid $359.60 for Scott Air-pac with tank and spare
tank.
September 15, 1969 Trustees
heard Mr. Byers from the United Telephone Co. explain a fire alarm
system. There would be 10 phones to the system with any one of them
able to activate the fire alarm system.
October 6, 1969 Trustees and
prosecutor signed the contract with United Telephone Co. for the Fire
Reporting System at $26/month for 10 phones.
January 5, 1970 Fire Chief
salary is same at $15/month and firemen will divide equally a salary
of $300/year.
January 19, 1970 Warren Fire
Equipment was paid $160.50 for 100’ 1 ½’ hose.
May 5, 1970 Warren Fire
Equipment was paid $23.45 for 1 pair of fireman’s boots.
August 3, 1970 Monty Boyer
represented the fire department and asked that the Trustees consider
purchasing a new fire truck. The old truck is about 15 years old.
The fire department wants to replace the two way radios with new
ones. Trustees are considering a cistern for water supply and new
bay to be added to the fire department building. Trustees will
consider these improvements and will decide later as to what they
want to do first.
August 3, 1970 The fire phones
that were approved in October 1969 are to be installed by August 7,
1970.
January 4, 1971 Fire Chief
salary is same at $15/month and firemen will divide equally a salary
of $300/year. Trustees’ inventory of fire department listed same
trucks and equipment as last year. $3,000.00 was appropriated for
fire protection purpose for this year.
February 15, 1971 The
trustees paid Warren Fire Equipment $5.40 for 18# CO2
recharge.
April 5, 1971 Trustees paid
Kamara Electronics $647 for one two-way radio and also paid an
additional $60 for the installation of one radio.
June 7, 1971 Warren Fire
Equipment was paid $27.10 for 1 pair of fireman’s boots.
June 21, 1971 It was agreed to
pay Ohio Edison $5.25/month for electric service to operate the fire
siren until other arrangements can be made because the Palmyra
Schooling building will be with the new Southeast School Board now.
February 22, 1999 Ravenna
FireCom will begin dispatching for Palmyra Township on July 1, 1999
at an annual cost of $5000.
April 26, 1999 Trustees
awarded new addition of Hollis Construction for $124,000.
July 16, 1999 Ground breaking
for new addition on Fire Station.
March 7, 2002 Fire Chief Randy
Bennett asked the trustees to consider hiring part-time paid EMS
personnel. Current trustees are Michael Fannin, Henry Michael, and
James Deffenbaugh.
September 16, 2002 The first
day we had part-time EMS personnel to cover the station from 6a.m. to
6 p.m. daily Monday through Friday.
April 5, 2003 Trustees Henry
Michael, James Deffenbaugh and fire chief Randy Bennett drove to
Kansas to pick up a used 1998 International Heavy Rescue Unit with
16’ walk-in body. It will be paid by a grant that Chief Randy
Bennett was awarded from FEMA. The town ship is responsible for 10%
of the approximate $100,000 grant.
April 7, 2003 The 1998
International Heavy Rescue Unit with 16’ walk-in body arrived from
Kansas. The truck needs to be lettered (Palmyra name on door and
unit # 2016), radio has been purchased and installed, etc.
May 6, 2003 Trustees agreed to
purchase a Motorola MCS-2000 radio with antenna and installation from
B&C Communications in Akron for the 1998 International Rescue Unit #2016.
June 9, 2003 B&C
Communications Installed Motorola radio in 1998 Rescue Unit.
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