Shelbyville Fire Department.

Shelbyville Fire Department's History

From 1832 to 2004

Shelbyville was incorporated as a municipality under a charter received from the State of Tennessee in 1810. From 1810 to 1888 the records concerning Shelbyville's Fire Department have either been destroyed or are very vague. In fact, most of the history of the Fire Department from 1888 to recent years has been given from the memory of old inhabitants of the City. Records in Deed Book C.C., Pages 233, in 1832 show that the Shelbyville Fire Department was organized for the purpose of extinguishing fires.

From 1888 to 1896 Shelbyville's fire equipment was very meager and as for as known, the equipment was manned by volunteer firefighters. During this period of time the equipment consisted of the following: one hand pump, two horse carts and one ladder wagon which was pulled by men or horses. Up until 1894 the source of water supply used for fighting fires was from cisterns, wells, branches, etc. Four men would man the hand pump at the fires. The hand pump somewhat resembled in appearance a hand car used by section hands on railroads.

Water was first made available for fire fighting in 1894 and some kind of a water pump station was built to furnish water under pressure for the 35 fire hydrants which were installed at strategic positions in the town. From all accounts, as meager and crude as the fire fighting equipment was during this time, it seems that a very good job was done in fighting fires.

The first water tower stand pipe (water tower) was built in Shelbyville in 1896. Also during this year the City of Shelbyville purchased a one-horse fire wagon. This wagon was manned by volunteer firefighters. The first volunteer firefighters to arrive at the City Hall would drive the wagon and equipment and all other volunteer firefighters to fight the fire. This kind of equipment was used to fight fires in Shelbyville until 1914.

The first motor pumper to be used to convey equipment and men to fires was purchased by the City of Shelbyville in 1914. One man was hired by the city to drive and operate the pumper, the others were volunteer firefighters. It seems that this man who was hired to drive and operate the pumper stayed on duty 24 hours per day and lived at the City Hall. In 1926 a 750 gallon Mack pumper was purchased, and another operator was hired. Three men then worked 12 hour shifts. In 1916 the second stand pipe was built in Shelbyville. This was the second 100,000 gallon capacity tank.

In 1940 the City purchased another fire pumper. This was a 750 gallon pumper from Peter Pirsch Company. The Fire Department then had two pumpers, tow operators and twelve volunteer firefighters. In 1940 except for the two full-time operators it is noted that the Fire Department was still manned principally by volunteer firefighters. However, by 1948 the Fire department had employed two operators, two full-time fire fighters and fifteen volunteer firefighters. Also, it night be mentioned here that the City built the third stand pipe with a 250,000 gallon capacity in 1945.

Since 1948 the City of Shelbyville had, it seems, been working toward a full-time paid personnel for the Fire department, then in 1949 the department had two full-time operators, four full-time firefighters and twelve volunteer firefighters. In 1950 John W. (Buck) Foster was appointed as full-time Fire Chief and Building Inspector. In 1951 the City purchased another 750 gallon pumper from Peter Pirsch Company. This made a total of three 750 gallon pumpers with four full-time operators, six full-time firefighters and a full-time Fire Chief.

In 1954 the city had ten regular firefighters, 10 volunteer firefighters and a full-time Chief. As the population increased the water demand also had to increase as the following stand pipes were in service:

1955 a 250,000 gallon stand pipe was erected on Union Street
1961 a 250,000 gallon stand pipe was erected on Forrest Hills
1962 a 250,000 gallon stand pipe was erected on Scenic Drive

The reserve water supply in the City of Shelbyville at this time is 1,000,000 gallons.

In 1955, the Fire Department purchased their first Fire Chief’s car. This was a 1955 Plymouth. This car was painted white, the same as the fire pumpers.
In 1961, a 1,000 gallon pumper was purchased from the Howe Equipment Company. This pumper was put into service on December 14,1961 and the 1926, Mack was retired.
In 1963, a new Fire Hall was erected on Lane Parkway and occupied in January 1964.
In April 1966, John W. (Buck) Foster retired from Fire Chief duties after twenty+ years of service. He was replaced by Assistant Chief S.T. (Plunk) Marbury.
On 7-15-67 two more firefighters were hired. This now made twelve regular firefighters and a Chief in department.
On 1-1-69 Asst. Chief Garland King, W.L. Haynes, and Paul E. Cunningham, Otis Deal, and Franklin Smith were promoted to Captain. Five new men were hired and a Fire Hall was built on Hillcrest Drive. It was occupied May 12, 1969. On July 14,1969 two new Howe Fire Engines, (Cab-over, Custom-built, 1,000 gallon per minute, pumpers) were received.
On 9-17-69, Asst. Chief King was promoted to Chief.
In June of 1973, a 75ft. Articulating Boom Snorkel Truck was purchased.
A 1250 gpm Pierce Arrow Pumper was put into service in 1983.
In 1996, a 1500 gpm Pierce Arrow was purchased.
Asst. Chief Franklin Smith retired in 1998; Greely Smotherman was promoted to Asst. Chief.
In July 1999, Chief King, Asst. Chief Smotherman, along with 6 other Fireman retired.
John Habel was named Chief, Alvin Jones Deputy 1 Chief, Ricky McConnell Fire Inspector.
In July 2002, a Pierce Kenworth 1500 gpm Pumper and a Pierce Kenworth Rescue/ Service Company was put into service.
In April of 2003, Brian Nicholson was promoted to lieutenant and transferred to the Division of Fire Prevention, bringing the number of administrative staff to four.
As of March 2004, the Shelbyville Fire Department has 31 full-time Fire Fighters, 11 Volunteer Fire Fighters, 1 Chief, 1 Deputy Chief, and 2 Inspectors.