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McCook's fire department has long history
The McCook Fire Department has come a long way from its origin in the early days of McCook's history. The department was formed in 1883, a year after McCook became a community, but continued much as it had always done, with volunteers manning the bucket brigade for fires.
In 1886, after a number of disastrous fires, McCook laid the first three-inch water lines in downtown McCook and purchased the first fire hydrants, from the Lincoln Land Co. for $600. But there were restrictions on the firemen. Each fire could replace a practice period, and there could only be two such periods each month.
The next year the Fire Department was provided with 350' of fire hose, a fire alarm, two 20' ladders, and rubber hats for the firemen. In 1894 a city ordnance combined three separate "fire fighting teams" into one Municipal Fire Department. The ordnance also called for a fire force of no more than 50 and not less than 26, members to be between 21 and 45 years of age. In 1889 F.D. Burgess was named the first fire chief.
McCook has always been, and still is, dependent on its Volunteer Firefighters, some times more than others. The system has worked very well -- still there have been problems from time to time. A case in 1911 will serve to illustrate:
There had been a series of fires in 1911, the most serious being the Railroad Ice House (on A Street) in late June. The building had been ignited by sparks from a switch engine, and both the railroad firemen and the City firemen fought the blaze.
Their efforts were hampered by weak water pressure. So in September, the Council passed an ordnance for more water hydrants. It also included a pay scale for firemen. They were to be paid $1 for the first hour or fraction thereof and $1 for all additional time, but only if the water was turned on and used.
The firemen considered the proposal an insult and resigned en mass. The Council thought the "boys" should not be paid more -- there was just no money to pay them.
The (ex) firemen gathered at the Palmer Hotel to say farewell. Two ex-Mayors delivered speeches and were roundly cheered for their support. Following dinner and cigars the entire group marched to City Hall, then to the Pastime Park, south of the Republican River, where they "enjoyed the hospitality of the owner".
Business conducted that night, approved a motion, "that in case at any time in the future, the former members of the department saw that a fire was getting the best of the new department, every effort would be lent in fighting fire as always heretofore." Evidently there was no gap in fire service because 22 volunteers were paid in November.
The 1894 system was generally in place until 1920 (with some changes over the years), when a new ordnance set up a 14 member volunteer department, with one Chief and an Asst. Chief. The next year the city went all out and purchased a $5,700 fire truck, which they stored in the Red Willow Auto Co. garage at a rental rate of $35 per month.
In 1925, the city bought a new, $10,000 LaFrance fire truck (which now is owned by John Hubert and can be seen frequently at parades in McCook and area events.) This fire truck replaced the 1921 truck, which was destroyed in the Bullard Lumber Yard fire in 1923. By 1982, under the command of Chief Don Einspahr, McCook had a force of 10 paid fighters and 15 volunteers for the city, and 15 rural fire fighters, who covered an area of some 250 square miles of McCook
In 1982 McCook had a ladder truck with an 85' aerial platform, as well as two 750 gallon pumper trucks, and a crash truck stationed at the McCook Airport. The Department also included a rescue unit, three ambulances and a "Jaws of Life."
It would seem as if there was a much greater number of fires in the early days, through the and '70s, which greatly altered the looks of downtown McCook, than there have been in the years since. There are a number of reasons as to why this is indeed true.
There have been widespread advances that the Fire Department uses in its battles against fires. Among these advances are:
1. The ability to mix foam with the water that is poured on the fire, thus multiplying the smothering effects of the water several fold.
2. The McCook Department has an extension ladder with which the firemen can attain heights above any building in McCook so that the hoses can be trained down on a fire,
3. Firemen's gear has been greatly improved so that they can withstand much more heat than in the past, allowing more movement in a burning building. This greater insulating equipment can also have a negative effect, in that a fireman can not detect and judge the heat of a fire to the extent that he did in the past.
4. Boilers (which often blew up and caused major fires), were the heart of most heating systems in downtown McCook. They have largely disappeared, and have been replaced with more modern, and safer heating systems.
5. The Fire Department has become quite Pro-active, with a Pre-fire Planning program in place. This program allows firemen to visit downtown buildings, both to become acquainted with the layout of the buildings, but also to point out potential fire hazards and avert a problem before the fire ever starts.
6. McCook firemen, career firemen and volunteers alike, have always been dedicated to the task of keeping McCook safe from fires, but the present force has been afforded the privilege of attending various schools, which has led to a better trained Fire Department.
7. McCook is a member of a Mutual Aid Cooperative Union. This cooperation assures McCook of the help of Fire Departments throughout this region. By the same token, McCook will lend aid to the other members, as long McCook is not left unprotected.
In 2007, under the command of Fire Chief, Marc Harpham, McCook's Fire Department consists of 24 Volunteer Firefighter/Ems specialists, seven fulltime firemen, including Chief Harpham, and an admin. assistant -- and Blaze, the Department's Dalmatian mascot.
In 2006 The McCook Fire Department answered 620 EMS (Emergency Medical Service) calls and 186 fire calls. To do its assigned task, the Department has four new or relatively new, fire trucks, including one truck especially equipped for aircraft rescue and fire fighting. The Department furnishes ambulance service for the community plus EMS and ALS (Advanced Life Support) response for a 320 square mile area around McCook. Two ambulances and a quick response vehicle are available for this service. A typical emergency call employs two paramedic and one driver of the Quick Response Vehicle. All this adds up to a well equipped, well trained department, ready and able to handle the emergencies we all pray may never happen.
Source: Gazette Centen-nial Edition, City of McCook Web site.