HISTORY OF THE MUNROE FALLS FIRE DEPARTMENT

In April 1948, a group of public-spirited citizens met in the Village of Munroe Falls' town hall to form the Munroe Falls Firemen's Social Club, Inc.  Citizens were tired of the high costs of fire protection and the level of service they received from Stow Township.  On the days that followed in April, approximately fifty men volunteered to be part of this organization.  This chartered association was founded on a "shoestring" and before this group of individuals could provide fire protection, equipment and a station  had to be acquired.

Community fund raisers were used to generate the necessary capital required to get the department up and running.  Moneys were raised through personal loans, second mortgages, card parties, raffles, turkey shoots, bake sales, and any other ideas that could be conceived.  A significant part of the fund raising was accomplished by the Ladies Auxiliary, which was formed shortly after the Social Club organized in April.

Fund raising included going door to door asking citizens to pledge $.25 for each letters in their names.  These funds were used to purchase the concrete blocks for the  new firehouse that is known today as the Carriage House, located on North Main Street at the railroad crossing. The Sonoco Paper Company provided the  necessary land to build this station for a sum of $1.00.  Throughout 1948, approximately 20 individuals worked side by side to construct the station that would house the fire equipment until 1974.

In June 1949, the new fire station was open for occupancy.  Money, time, spirit, and dedication was used to build the station which would house the first fire engine, a 1927 Prospect Pumper.  Several months later, a 1941 tanker was added to the equipment list.  Most of the early equipment was either donated or purchased used from other sources.  It was through the efforts and ingenuity of the firefighters that the equipment remained functional for many years.

The Social Club and the Ladies Auxiliary continued to grow and become the focal point of the community.  Not only was the new building a fire station, it was a community center.  Fund raisers were held weekly.  In 1949, the Social Club met and officially approved changing the organization's name to the Munroe Falls Firemen's Association Inc., a private, non-profit organization conceived to provide fire protection to the residents and industries of Munroe Falls.  As a result of this protection, fire insurance became affordable to the community.

As the village continued to grow, so did the demands for firefighting equipment.  In 1955, the Firemen's Association placed an order for a new American LaFrance Pumper on a Ford chassis for approximately $8,000.  Funds for this purchase were raised completely by the Association and Ladies Auxiliary.  Delivered in January of 1956, Engine 1 was a 500 gallon per minute pumper and remained in service until 1995.  In July of 1963, a new 135 gallon per minute Jeep Pumper was purchased for grass and brush fires.  An American LaFrance Pumper from Midwest Fire Equipment was ordered in February 1967 by the Association for $20,000.  This pumper had a capacity of pumping 1,000 gallon per minute and is still currently in service.   At this time, the Association had 27 members and a contract with the Village to provided fire protection in the amount $7,200.00

During the 1950's and 1960's, the Munroe Falls Firemen's Association was considered one of the few entirely volunteer fire departments in the state of Ohio.  In 1970,  it was decided that it was time for fire protection to become part of the village government.  The police and road departments had already been formed and organized.  After months of negotiations, the fire department became an official branch of the village on June 30, 1970.  After 22 years as a volunteer department, 24 firefighters were going to receive $18.00 per month for trainings, and $2.75 per hour for every emergency call. The village created the position of full-time fire chief to be responsible for the department and the fire services provided to the community.  In return, the Association handed over approximately $100,000 of equipment to the village for $1.00.  The village was paying  $12,400 a year for fire protection.

With continued growth of the village and the fire department, the old station was becoming inadequate for storing equipment.  The village began to consider constructing a safety building adjacent to town hall and in 1972 a search was started for an architect.  In October , 1974, the dedication of the safety building was held and the station doors were opened for the fire equipment transferring from the Carriage House.

Since moving to the safety building, the community has continued to grow and so has the needs for the services provided by the fire department.  The Munroe Falls Fire Rescue Association, a direct descendant of the Social Club,  supports the fire department and the community by providing funds for fire education programs.   Just as in 1948, community fund raisers including pancake breakfasts, car washes, and raffles are used to generate funds to support education and safety programs.

Today, the Munroe Falls Fire Department continues to be dedicated to the "Spirit of 1948" with providing the community, its citizens, and its businesses with the highest level of fire protection, emergency medical services, safety and fire education programs.