45th Anniversary Culver - Union Township Fird Department

2 March Culver Citizen

Volunteer Fire Organization Began In 1903

Since its establishment more than 45 years ago, eleven local citizens have served as fire chief of the Culver Volunteer Fire Department. Dave Burns heands an efficient organization of men who now work with modern equipment in combatting and protecting the community from fires.

Its a long cry from the modern equipment of the present day back to January 24, 1903 when thirteen men petitioned the town board to organize a volunteer fire company. The petition reads: This is to certify that on January 22, 1903 a meeting was called for the purpose of organizing a Volunteer Fire Company for the City.

The project of the meeting was fully carried out and the company was organized with a charter membership of twelve members. These members with the officers are: T. Saine, Chief; Arthur Morris, Assistant Chief; J. R. Saine, Secretary; Thomas Slattery, Treasurer; Ora Byrd, Edward Zechiel, Charles Medbourn, Fred Cook, AL Mawhorter, Walter Byrd, William Cook, Monton Foss and G. W. Smith.

At the time of the organization an invoice was made of the fire fighting apparatus wuch reaveals that the equipment included: two extinguishers, 22 rubber buckets and the inventory points out that one of these was not good, 13 cans of chemicals, and one very heavy extension ladder."

The new fire chief requested two sets of ladders, two ladders with hooks, one cart for ladders, one fire hook with chain, two keys for church, one-half inch rope for extra tapper on bell (we presume for chruch_, one pick axe, and more rubber buckets.

An appendix indicated the town council received the report favorably increasing the number of buckets by four, and purchasing twp axes. They went on record as saying that the would look the matter up and buy where they could get the materials the cheapest.

The fire chiefs following Mr. Saine are as follows: O. Gandy, A. Roberts, C. C. Waite, Fred Cook, Roy Swigart, A. M. Fishburn, A. Cromley, Wayne Von Ehr, Carry Cummins and Dave Burns.