The first Fire Department building was located on a lot between what is now Don's Truck Sales and the river. In the early 1900's this building was moved to city property where the water tower now stands. The original fire house sits back of the council chambers and is now used for city storage. The old fire bell was used to sound a fire alarm is still standing in back of the old pump house. When the brick pump house was built beside the tower, the fire equipment was housed in one part of the building. The next fire station, purchased in 1960, was located in a 40 x 60 foot building across the street.

Before Power- The first fire equipment was a hand pumper which required two men on each side to pump in order to get any pressure. The cart had a short tongue in front to guide it d number of rope grips to lead out ahead for more man power to pull it. later an old steam pumper was purchased from Waterloo, Iowa. This was called the Jenny Jule. One of the highlights of the Jenny Jule was that when the water mains were laid underground across the river, it was used to keep the water pumped away from the work ditches. One night a heavy rain storm came up. All that was showing of the Jenny Jule was the smoke stack.

Sometime in the middle 1920's Fairbank also had a hand pulled ladder truck that was stored in the pump house along side the well and pressure tank

The Jenny Jule in action on Main Street

Motorized Equipment-The first motor driven fire truck was a 1924 Maxwell that was purchased from West Liberty, Iowa. This had two tanks that required a mixture of soda and acid and water to maintain water pressure. The story is that is did not have much power. As the boys were bringing it home it moved so slow that they had to get off and run along side of it. This induced Cop McCunniff to hook has new car on to it and they came home flying. Later a used 1928 Model A truck was purchased. The soda and acid tanks from the Maxwell were trans- ferred to that unit.

In December 1951 a Chevrolet truck with a 500 gallon per minute pumper was purchased with the help of donations from the community.  This unit is still in service today as a reserve engine 

In the 1950's the department started receiving money from township taxation and a 1963 Ford 1500 gallon tanker was later purchased with this money. A 1940 LaFrance 750 gallon pumper was purchased from Waterloo, Iowa for a standby truck. In 1967 the first equipment van was added to the department. This was later sold and a school bus converted to hold the equipment.

The Addition of EMS-In 1964 the department decided to add emergency rescue and medical services with donations from the Fairbank area.  A 1949 Cadillac hearse was purchased and converted into a emergency patient transport Ambulance.  In those days, there was no formal emergency medical training of any type.   In 1970, the hearse was sold and a new 1970 Chevy van was Purchased and converted into an emergency unit. In 1975 this was disposed of and a 1975 state approved Chevrolet emergency unit was bought. Latest figures show that the department answered 68 emergency calls in 1975.

1st Organized Fire Company, 100 years ago!-Available records show that Levi Finch was a member of the original fire company.  We have been unable to locate names of other members.  Records show that February 6th, 1902, a group of men met in Dr. Eickelberg's  office and formed the Fairbank Fire Company.  Members were charged $1.00 to join the company. They were: Dr. D.C. Eickelberg, Frank Ward, Chas. Massey, F.A. Klinger, V. Reisner, F.H. Lehumkuhl, Levi Finch, W.W. Gallup, Fred Kraft, Henry Schmeekl, E.B. Chandoin, P.E. Damage, and John Wolgamot. This company was active until 1906 and was reorganized May 14, 1914. According to Dept. records, on February 14, 1913, the members present disbanded because they felt they were not receiving sufficient support from the businessmen in general. They took the money out of the treasury and went across the street to the Bon Ton for oysters.

Notable Historical Notes

In 1977 a new 750 gallon pumper was purchased from Pierce Mfg. Company Don Brandt was chief of the fire dept. in 1977.

In 1978 a Base Radio was purchased for use by the Department for communications with Buchanan County.

In 1979 Portable Scanners were purchased for all firemen so they could be alerted when ever the dept. had a fire or emergency call.

In 1980 Ron Miller served as President of the Iowa Fireman's Association.

In Aug. 1982,a rescue tool known as 'The Jaws of Life' was purchased by the department

to assist with rescue operations.

In 1985 a new 1500 gal. tanker on a Ford chassis to be built by Toyne Fire Truck Co., was purchased. In 1985 the Dept. had 22 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's) and 8 Fire Fighters certified as Fire Fighter I.

 The new fire station construction was started on Saturday, June 14, 1986. A portion of the construction will be contracted and the rest of the work will be done by firemen and other volunteer help. With an enormous amount of volunteer time given by many Fairbank. residents and Fire Fighters, a new $150,000 plus fire station was completed on October 4, 1986. 

In February, 1987 the Dept. purchased new pager's for all the firemen and EMT's.  As of now, all calls will be received from the Dispatch Center in Independence, IA.  911 will soon replace the old 635-2222 emergency number.  The dispatch center will receive the call for help instead of ringing in all the firefighter's homes.

Elected Fire Chief in 1989 was Dave Redl. In June of 1989 a new ambulance was purchased from Life Line Co. in Sumner, IA. Also, EMT's who are not on the Fire Dept. will assist the Dept. on ambulance calls.

Elected Chief of the department in 1990 was Ron Miller.

In 1993 a computer system was purchased for departmental business.

In 1994 all personnel who were only EMT's, were allowed full voting membership on the department.  Until this time only firefighters could vote on department issues.

In 1995 the old rescue "bus" was replaced with a used Wapsie school bus.

In 1997, Steve Welter was elected as Chief.

In 1999 the Jaws of Life were replaced with a modern set of spreaders, cutters, and rams.  The computer system was also updated.  Also purchased was a new pumper from Central States Mfg. at a cost of $140,000.  The 1976 pumper was sold out of state.

In 2000, 11 firefighters completed state firefighter I certification, bringing the number to 16.  Also, 9 people joined to take the EMT training. 

In 2000 approximately 125 calls for service were answered by the department.

In 2001 a new ambulance was purchased for a cost of $85,000 from Life Line of Sumner.

In 2001 there are 9 firefighter/EMTs, 15 EMT only members for a total of 24 certified EMT's. Also, 19 firefighters only are on the department for a total of 43 members!  

GO TO

HOME   CITY HALL    POLICE    FIRE     CEMETERY    LIBRARY     COUNCIL MINUTES

PUBLIC WORKS    UTILITIES     PARKS     NEWS    CITY MAP