S.V.F.D. will soon be celebrating 70 years of service to their community and surrounding neighbors.
It was December 1931 that the Fire department organized, but their formal charter was not adopted until 1932. The first officers were: President, Kenneth G. Fuller; Vice President, Frank Brigdon; Treasurer, John Kramer; Secretary, J. Ford Hyde. Chief was Charles Van Slyke; Assistant Chief, Joe Kimmel; Captain, Brian Worden; First Lieutenant, Albert Van Slyke; Second Lieutenant, Maurice Hershelman.
The first piece of equipment was a Model T. Ford chemical truck which was owned by the Council and obtained after the big fire of 1912, when the east business block burned. As early as 1895, the town council was considering fire protection and authorized $106.88 for chemical fire extinguishers. The earliest fire fighting device was the high pressure water system installed by Dr. W. J. Sheldon in 1912 and used in fighting fires in the hotel.
In 1932 the new department conducted a campaign to pay for chassis and equipment for a truck. A Lincoln chassis was purchased and the truck was built by volunteer labor. This truck was used until 1942 when funds were available to purchase a Ward La France truck.
In 1950 the firemen purchased another new unit, a Ward La France 750 gallon pumper, custom built truck. This served until a larger truck was necessary in 1971. The department bought a Ford American La France 1000 gallon pumper for $37,000.
Prior to the purchase of fire fighting equipment, an agreement with the Albion Fire Dept. was in effect and Albion was paid $85.00 yearly plus a fee for each fire. After the organization of the S.V.F.D., a reciprocal agreement was made, not only with the Albion Fire Department, but Conneautville Vol. Fire Department as well. These Fire Departments continue to work together serving their communities and the surrounding rural areas.
This article is included in the CVAHS Newsletter, Issue 24, Vol. 12
Sources: Springboro Volunteer Fire Dept.
50th Anniv. 1932 - 1982
From the estate of Charles Richmond