Fire Department History

Exerpts from
“A History of Farmersville, Texas 1845 - 1973”
by Charles J. Rike
Printed in 1973

Pages 63-64

Fire Department

History of the most far reaching disasters by Farmersville in it’s 125 years, has noted that each of the four sides of the “Square” has been completely destroyed by fire, at one time, in 1888, 1890, 1905 and 1921.

In 1898 with the coming of the Farmersville Mill and Light Co. the whistle at the mill gave the fire alarms. Giving many short blast followed by 1-2-3-or 4 long blast designating the ward in which the fire was. This was repated several times. Ward No. 1 was in S. W., No. 2 on N. E. , No. 3 in S. E. and No. 4 in N. W. parts of town, divided by Main Street and the Katy Railroad. (L and N).

Now the municipal siren does the alerting of the town.

In the early days before the town was piped for water, bucket brigades were formed from the well where water was drawn by hand or pumped and was passed on to the firemen who doused the flames.

1904 – Volunteer Firemen

It was 1904, Farmersville deemed it necessary to organize the Volunteer Fire Department. The first Chief was Jerry Worden, who served until 1906. 

The first Hose Card was a 2 wheel hand drawn vehicle, carrying about 200 feet of small hose wound on a wooden drum operated by hand. It fit on the pump operated from the wagon, pumping water from a well or pool, also hand operated.

1904, the city had it’s Hook and Ladder No. 1, a 4-wheel card, bright red ladders on the sides and equipped with about a dozen water buckets for the boys to use. The fireboys pulled this cart.

Farmersville installed its first Municipal water system and about 1000 feet of pope laid through the Square.

In 1906, John R. Rike was the second Chief. A horse drawn Hook and Ladder wagon (second hand) was bought. The rebuilding was done by Chief Rike, and early blacksmith. The expense of remodeling was borne by the Ingleside Club and the “wagon” was named INGLESIDE. Among the equipment was a 50 gallon Chemical Tank and 2 hand extinguishers.

The first Model T fire truck was bought about 1920 and had 350 gallon capacity pump. 

Among the Chief’s have been: Jerry Worden 1904-1906, John Rike 1906, Dan Neathery 1911-1924, Jim Hale 1924-1926, Richard Kesterson 1926-1928, Joe Aston, Sr. 1928-1933, Frank Davis 1933-1942, James Hale 1943-1944, Ras Cooper 1944-1951, Ramond Brandon 1951-1970, Charles Currington 1970.

1968 to 1973

Friendly Farmersville has a top notch Volunteer Fire Department which is well equipped to either fight fires or save lives. Thousands of dollars worth of equipment, ranging from pumpers to a portable iron lung are part and parcel of the Fire Department, headed by Raymond Brandon, an energetic young grocery-man. There are about 30 firemen.

The latest innovation is the inter-com system by which the Fire Chief can call each member at their home all at one time to announce where the trouble or fire is, thus saving the boys a trip to the Station.

The Department has three trucks, a 1929 Southard, and two 1966 including free run in the area around Farmersville.

Another piece of equipment is the Resuscitator used in an aid to drowning victims and heart patients. 

The portable iron lung is capable of being used on Infants, children and adults. It is quickly moved and put into operation.

A first aid truck, a 16 ft. ladder, boat equipment with a 75 HP motor, dray and rescue equipment are at hand in the Department room. It is always ready to be hooked up and moved to Lake Lavon, Texhoma and any place needed.

The rescue squad had a completely equipped station-wagon containing stretchers, litters, cooking equipment and portal power plant-most anything necessary for emergency use.

Farmersville has had occasions several times to use its equipment at home, Lake Lavon, Grapevine Lake and other area drownings.

It has been a long way from the Bucket Brigade to our modern, well equipped department of the Farmersville Volunteer Fire Department, a group of truly unselfish, dedicated men.