Burlington Fire Department history

The first fire house for the Endeavor was built in 1798 by John Griscom in front of the Friends property on High St In 1838 a fire house was built on Wood St at the lower endof the Friends Meeting House yard.

The formal inauguration of the Burlington Fire Department took place on January 5th, 1841.

In 1849 several members of the old Washington Engine Co. reorganized as the Washington Engine and Hope Hose Co. the station house was located at the corner of Penn and Dilwyn Street.

In 1850 the companies reorganized as the Hope Hose Co.

Only after the burning of a candle factory in 1851 did the City Council authorize the purchase of a fire pump.

The Franklin Fire Engine Company No.3, organized in 1852, with its engine house located on the Southeast corner of York and Jones Avenue, was a predecessor of the Young America Fire Company.

1, a new station was built in 1967 at High St north of Pearl St It was incorporated by the State in 1855.

The Young America Hook and Ladder Company, organized in 1857, bought its first truck from Thaddeus Woolston, who was located directly across the street from the present firehouse, in the Birch Building, which is now occupied by a second-hand store, shoe repair and barber shop, at a cost of $75.00.

In 1859 the old FultonFire Engine Co. merged with the Hope and the name was changed to the Hope Steam Fire Engine Company No.

Problems persisted until the purchase of a Silsby fire engine in 1866.

The present firehouse was built and occupied in 1870.

In 1871, a new hose cart was purchased for $250.00 from the Fairmount Engine Company No.31 of Philadelphia.

A new hand truck was added in 1872, purchased from C. Shantz of Philadelphia for $1230.00.

The old hose carriage was presented to the Mitchell Fire Company when it organized in 1875.

The Burlington Fire Department was organized in 1877 with 45 volunteers, a hand-operated pump, and a hand-drawn cart with 500 feet of hose.

In 1878 the first Hook and Ladder Company joined Hose Company 1 with 35 members.

A new horse hose wagon purchased in 1892 from Gleason and Bailey Company of Philadelphia was kept in the house for several years, after which it was exchanged with the old hose wagon and $150.00 for a new hose carriage, since no provision had been made to stable or use horses.

Hose Company 2 was formed in 1896 and their equipment was housed on West Jefferson Street near McHenry Street.

The existing Central Station was built in 1907 at the corner of 5th and Valley streets.

In 1913, the first motorized fire engine was purchased.

Burlington Fire Fighters Local 1915 Certified Under EMSProgram

In 1916 saw the aerial truck equipped with an American LaFrance front drive motor chassis combination, replacing the horse-drawn front end.

In the previous year, the company placed in service the first motor driven equipment in an Autocar Hose truck which saw service until 1923 when an Acme Hose wagon succeeded it.

The first "motor driven fire engine" was a 1924 Seagrave pumper.

In 1931, extensive alterations were necessary for the housing of the modern aerial truck, the building being lengthened and altered in its width.

2 "History of the Fire Department." The Hawk Eye [Burlington Iowa] 10 May 1933: 11.

5 "Snake Alley History." The Hawk Eye [Burlington Iowa] 14 November 1939: 7.

The Acme Hose truck succumbed to progress in 1942 when the company purchased a Dodge Hose truck.

The only recorded line of duty death occurred in 1947, when Firefighter Harold Herman died in a warehouse fire.

During the 1950's, emergency services expanded and the fire prevention bureau was established.

It was removed from the Bell Tower of the Young America Fire House in 1956 for safety reasons.

1, a new station was built in 1967 at High St north of Pearl St

IAFF Charter Application, November, 17, 1969 – Received November 20, 1969

Date on IAFF Charter Application, January 29, 1970 – Received February 2, 1970

The Hose & Nozzle, May – June 1971

In 1974 the Department placed its first aerial ladder truck, Ladder 921, into service.

In 1975 The City of Burlington purchased a modern 75 foot aerial scope.

The Hose & Nozzle, May – June 1976

During the 1980's, our Fire Department was one of the first two in Iowa to offer Paramedic services in association with EMS.

1996 was a big year for apparatus purchases with the arrival of Platform 924 and Engine 923.

The Airport fire station is a dual use facility (ARFF & Fire/EMS) that was completed and opened in August 1997.

In 2003, the Central Station 2.3 million dollar renovation project was completed.

In 2010, the Department expanded fire suppression coverage area beyond city limits and became responsible for the rural areas in the surrounding Quad Townships.