Owensboro Fire Department celebrating 150 years

July 31--Monday marks the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Owensboro Fire Department. Prior to that time in the city's history, fires were fought by citizen bucket brigades and later by a collection of volunteer fire companies.

But with Owensboro growing, and fires getting worse, fire protection needed improving.

"From what we have read, in the late 1850s there was a series of fires downtown and the city decided to do some organizing," said Owensboro Fire Chief Steve Mitchell. "We don't know how they picked the first fire chief (Horace Miller). He was a stable worker. But we know he did a good job. He brought the volunteer fire companies together and created a fire department in one year."

The Owensboro Fire Department began on Aug. 1, 1866. In the early days and for many years, horse-drawn fire wagons were use for fighting fires. It was the early 1900s before the first motorized fire truck was purchased for the OFD. By the mid-1920s, the Seagraves fire engine company designed a white fire truck known as the "Owensboro Type" because of specific components requested by the city of Owensboro.

"It was sold all over the country," Mitchell said.

According to information compiled by the fire department, the OFD evolved steadily over the years:

-- The Owensboro Fire Department began as a formal organized municipal fire department with the hiring of the first fire chief, Horace Miller, on Aug. 1, 1866.

-- Chief Miller would continue to serve as chief until June 1879, when he retired and returned to work in a local stable downtown.

-- Edward Cureton was appointed chief in June 1919 and this would start a more modern era for the department. He would modernize the motorized fire apparatus and would develop a comprehensive fire prevention program. "Chief Cureton would help in the specification and design of a new modern fire apparatus that would be named after Owensboro," a department news release said. "Up until 1919, the fire department would simply focus on the suppression of fires. Under Chief Cureton, OFD would focus on both the ability to suppress fires and the ability to reduce the risk of fire and reduce the spread of fire through fire codes."

-- Chief Cureton's OFD was award-winning, bringing in five awards for fire prevention efforts. He was inducted into the Kentucky Firefighters Association Hall of Fame in 2011.

-- OFD has been led by 26 fire chiefs in the last 150 years, with Cureton serving the longest term.

-- OFD now operates five fire stations and a training center with 94 full time personnel and responds to more than 7,000 emergency calls for service annually.

-- Today, OFD provides a full range of emergency services including fire suppression, emergency medical first response, hazardous materials release response, technical and specialized rescue, a fire boat and water rescue.

-- OFD also provides a full range of non-emergencies including fire prevention and fire safety education and continues to be award-winning, bringing in the "Life Safety Award" in 2013. Chief Mitchell, fire chief since Aug. 2008, earned the Kentucky Fire Chief of the Year award for 2013.

-- OFD prides itself on the ability to provide professional services on a local and regional basis, professional development of the firefighters, the ability to maintain quality emergency response equipment, the professional customer service delivered to the citizens, and earning a Class 2 Insurance rating.

The 150th birthday of the Owensboro Fire Department will be celebrated from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Owensboro Convention Center. Historical and modern fire apparatus and equipment, including fire boats, will be on display, Mitchell said. A carnival-like atmosphere will be provided, he said, and firefighting personnel will be present. The event is free and open to the public. Food will be available.

"We want the public to come in and see their equipment," Mitchell said. "Fire service is steeped in tradition, but we pride ourselves on being a modern fire department."

Battalion Chief Steve Leonard said the training required for today's firefighter is vastly different from the training used just a few years ago.

"It has to evolve," Leonard said. "With the type of modern construction we have today, and with the rate of burn, you have to change your training, but also keep in mind we have buildings that were built in the 1800s."

"Our guys have to train for the Cigar Factory Mall or a new house," Mitchell said. "Today's buildings burn hotter and toxic."

"If we teach the same old tactics, it would be hazardous to firefighters," Leonard said. "(Before), firefighters could breath a little smoke because it came from wood and fabric, but not now with toxic materials. Teaching had to change with the change in the environment."

Mitchell credited Leonard and retired Battalion Chief David McCrady for researching the department's history and compiling information in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the department.

Steve Vied, 270-691-7297, [email protected]

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