Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Fire Department Anniversary
The St. Joseph Fire Department commemorated exactly 150 years of service with a ceremony August 7 in Civic Center Park.
The St. Joseph Fire Department is one of the oldest fire departments west of the Mississippi River. It was established in 1865 when the community passed a bond to purchase the city’s first steam powered fire pump. The horse-drawn pump, called "Blacksnake," was staffed by former members of the Union Army. At the same time, another fire company named the “Waterwitch Company” was also active in St. Joseph. The “Waterwitch” was pulled by members of a German-American crew and was powered by hand pumps. The “Waterwitch” and the “Blacksnake” companies were rivals and clashed violently at times each trying to reach and put out a fire before the other.
The current fire department staffs nine fire stations which include two ladder/tower companies, five engine companies, two 75’ telesquirt/engine companies, and two light rescue companies. The department provides First Responder–Medical Services to the citizens of St. Joseph and a large portion of Buchanan County.
(information from the City of St. Joseph website)
The St. Joseph Fire Department is one of the oldest fire departments west of the Mississippi River. It was established in 1865 when the community passed a bond to purchase the city’s first steam powered fire pump. The horse-drawn pump, called "Blacksnake," was staffed by former members of the Union Army. At the same time, another fire company named the “Waterwitch Company” was also active in St. Joseph. The “Waterwitch” was pulled by members of a German-American crew and was powered by hand pumps. The “Waterwitch” and the “Blacksnake” companies were rivals and clashed violently at times each trying to reach and put out a fire before the other.
The current fire department staffs nine fire stations which include two ladder/tower companies, five engine companies, two 75’ telesquirt/engine companies, and two light rescue companies. The department provides First Responder–Medical Services to the citizens of St. Joseph and a large portion of Buchanan County.
(information from the City of St. Joseph website)
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