The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 18, Milford, Kosciusko County, 17 June 1987 — Page 30

6

Fire deportment was nothing more than a 'bucket brigade'

By CARLA GAFF Staff Writer “In those days, whomever had

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the PAPER — Tuesday, June 16, J 987

a truck would go to the station and pick up all the buckets. Then they’d rush down to the lake, fill up all the buckets and take off to

the fire,” explained bucket brigade fireman George Burns. In 1942 the bucket brigade got its first firetruck, which along with its 18 members were the start of ftie North Webster Fire Department. Firemen were from all over the township and did not need to live within the city limits. All members were total volunteer and received absolutely no compensation. “We had meetings once a month,” stated Burns, “and if -. J • J -'l J .9.AM nI(A«9<T you U1 UIl l Ctliciiu J\J u nv»v wm» b ed 25 cents. There was no pay involved then, though today the firemen receive a $l5O clothing allowance each year.” What started out as a bucket brigade has grown into a 30-man force with seven trucks and a ladies’ auxiliary. “The ladies are awful impor-

K-’flf**’ ■ BB jj | mm bh| ■£'. "** BhKamwL •c*BL^* ,, " , *- BUCKET BRIGADE NO LONGER — The North Webster Department was officially-started as a department in 1942, though there was an active bucket brigade prior to that time. Through the years the department has continued to modernize and increase in firemen and equipment, and presently has slots for 30 men. The firemen are shown here as they worked on a fire near North Webster this spring. (Photo by Carla Gaff) /

tant to us and have been a real help to us,” said Burns. He explained in the beginning the fire department purchased its first truck and equipment by holding all types of fund raisers. These included: Old fashion minstrel shows, woman less wedding performances, fish frys, raffle ticket sales, and a lot of house to house soliciting. The department’s first fire house was a garage on the exact location of the present fire house. The *garage was added on to several times, over a more than 20-yeaT period. It was torn down in at which time the present fire station was built. Burns explained that firemen are not as busy as they were back in the early days when the department often had a fire every day. However, today they do

FIRE OF 1926 — The Boydston Mill was destroyed by fire in 1926. The mill was rebuilt, but burned again in 1949. The original mill dam, built by Ephriam S. Moorehead in the mid-1800s, caused water to back up creating Webster Lake from several small, deep ponds. The grist mill was never rebuilt after the 1949 fire. (Photo provided by Pauline White) (^) WeSternSOU,hem Use Life - Health - Auto - Home \jjL Larry Stackhouse I.U.T.C.F. rnk Solas Representative I gß| y JB R. 3, Box 24, Todd Mg., Syracase 457-2754 834-4566 23 Years Life | nsurance — "Allows A Person | Os Service j Q p u |fj|| h \ s Responsibilities"

much more than just chase fires, as they work at educating the public about fire prevention. The North Webster department gives a series of fife safety tips during Fire Prevention Week and various tours of the facility. Additionally, they participate in parades and familiarize the community with the area fire department. v “We’re very thankful for all the mutual aid we’ve received from the neighboring fire departments over the years,” commented Burns. “Each department has a list of the equipment it has so you can decide what you need, and know who has it.” After 45 years, the North Webster Fire Department is still striving to improve its service and help the community 4 n whatever way possible.