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Prior to 1880 the Atchison Fire Department was composed entirely of
volunteer fireman. In 1871 an ordinance was passed authorizing the
expenditure of $1000.00 to buy a hook and ladder and other equipment and
the Pioneer Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 was organized with headquarters
in the old Pioneer Building, on the corner of Fourth and Kansas Avenue.
In 1875 Ingalls Fire Company No. 1 was organized. This and the Aetna
Engine and Hose Company had their quarters at the old fire house on North
Sixth Street. In 1880, under Mayor John C. Tomlinson, the first paid fire
department was organized by S.H. Kelsey who became chief and later was
chosen mayor of the city.
The first fire apparatus were pulled by hand and by livery stable horses
when available. Pumping was also mostly by hand and the water was pumped
from cisterns located at Third and Commercial, Fifth and Commercial and on
Sixth Street near the old fire station. The first steam pumper, a Silsby,
was purchased about 1875 and the first team of horses owned by the
department was purchased in 1880. A new Silsby steam pumper was purchased to
replace the old one. At this time the City used the fire horses to do
street work. This so incensed the citizens that a vigorous protest was sent
to Mayor Kelsey and the practice was stopped. The Atchison Water Works
company started business in 1880 and fire hydrants were installed so that
it was no longer necessary to depend on the cisterns. In 1898 a new Babcock
combination chemical and hose wagon and a 65 foot aerial truck were
purchased. The steam pumper purchased in 1900 was a Metropolitan Steamer and
was considered the last word in modern fire fighting apparatus. In 1903 the
department owned two steamers, one hose and chemical wagon, one aerial
truck, one hose reel and seven head of horses.
In 1909, under Mayor G.W. Allaman, a horse and buggy was purchased for
the chief and inspectors. The fire station at 13th and Commercial was built
in 1912 under Mayor C.D. Walker's administration. The first gasoline motor
equipment was purchased in 1911 and put in service in 1912. This consisted
of a new hose and chemical truck and a Webb hose and pumper truck. A second
hose and pump combination, was purchased, used in 1915. A used Chalmers
roadster for chief's car was also purchased that year. The aerial truck was
motorized in 1917 and the last of the horses owned by the department was
disposed of. Another used, reconstructed hose and chemical truck was
installed in 1918. This apparatus was wrecked in 1926 and a new American
LaFrance combination hose and chemical was purchased early in 1927. This
apparatus is currently being restored by current members of the department
and is being used in the department's public education programs. A new
Studebaker roadster to replace the old Chalmers, was purchased in 1928.
The department continued to modernize over the next several years with
the purchase of a 1939 GMC pumper with a 500 gallon per minute centrifugal
pump. This may have been the first centrifugal pump purchased by the
department. Ten years later the Atchison Fire Department added a 1949
Seagrave aerial ladder truck. This vehicle was equipped with a 75' ladder,
which was hydraulically operated. This vehicle remained in service until
1980. In 1952 the department upgraded its equipment once again with the
purchase of a 750 gallon per minute pumper. This unit carried 300 gallon of
water and was the largest capacity pump that the department had. This
apparatus remained in service until the early 80's. In 1960 the department
purchased its first 1000-gallon per minute pump which was mounted on a 1960
GMC chassis and carried 300 gallon of water. This unit was the first unit
in the department to also contain an automatic foam or wet water induction
system. In 1969 the department purchased a 1969 International pumper, which
was the first apparatus to be equipped with a 4-man cab. This cab was
designed to remove the firefighters from the tailboard area and position
them behind the officer and the apparatus operator. This apparatus was
equipped with a 1000 gallon per minute pump and a 500-gallon water tank.
This apparatus remained in service for 24 years.
In the early 1960's the first SCBA's or Self Contained Breathing
Apparatus was introduced in the department. This equipment stated an
evolution in fire service safety and enabled personnel to enter a hazardous
atmosphere with out being exposed to hazardous conditions. As years passed
additional units were purchased so that each employee was provided the same
protection. In the early 1980s an SCBA compressor was purchased to allow
the department to refill it's our cylinders. The department continues to
have such capabilities and currently fills cylinders for several rural
departments and local industries.
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In 1980 the department replaced its ageing 1949 aerial with a new modern
100' aerial platform. This unit was equipped with a 1,250 gallon per minute
pump and enabled personnel to work from a platform. Personnel for the first
time could reposition the platform themselves with out assistance. This
unit also gave the department the ability to provide large amounts of water
if needed. Also purchased this year was a 1980 Mack Pumper with a 1,250
gallon pump and 500 gallon water tank. Both these units remain in service.
In 1983 the department replaced its 1952 Mack Pumper with a 1982 Ford
Custom Cab pumper with a 1,000 gallon per minute pump. This unit continues
to serve the local community.
In 1984 the department enter into an agreement with Atchison County to provide
Emergency Medical Service for the entire County. The Atchison Fire
Department operated a three-vehicle system providing basic life support for
the next 12 years. During that period the size of the Atchison Fire
Department increased from 21 to 30 employees. In 1996 The County decided to
contract the Ambulance Service for the County to a private company. With
the loss of the Ambulance Service the department reduced its employee base
to 20 full time members.
In 1985 the department purchased a Mini Pumper, which was used to
respond to all calls for service excluding structure fire calls. In 1997
the Atchison Fire Department decided to continue to offer First Responder
Service to the City of Atchison. This unit was in service until the fall of
2001. In 2002 the department will take delivery of a new pumper/rescue
vehicle. This vehicle will have a 1,250-gallon per minute pump and an
automatic class A foam system a first for the department. This unit will be
replacing the departments ageing mini pumper. This new unit will carry all
of the departments rescue equipment and still function as a full size
structure fire truck.
In 1993 the department purchased the first fully enclosed cab in the
departments history. This unit is equipped with 750 gallons of water and a
1,250 gallon per minute pump. This unit is currently the department's front
line structure truck.
The Atchison Fire Department is over 100 years old and today it
continues to provide quality fire and first responder services to the City
of Atchison. It continues to modernize and utilize the many advances in
equipment and firefighting techniques. Its personnel are dedicated
professionals and are constantly striving to provide an efficient and
progressive department for its citizens.
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