They were approximately 1,000 gallon capacity. Cisterns were built in the downtown area to keep a good supply of water. They would form lines, passing the buckets from one person to the next until the fire was out, or as most often was the case, the water ran out. In the early days, citizens and patriotic volunteers used only buckets, and ladders and hooks. The members of the Fire Department wish to express our most grateful appreciation. For that reason, on June 19, 1868, the following ordinance was established: When the new steamer arrived, it was necessary to have someone "on duty" at all times to keep the steamer "stoked and ready".
Chuse who went to Rode Island in 1867 to purchase the City's first "Steam Fire Engine". Both of these companies were private fire companies manned by volunteers. It would later be known as the "Young America". He worked as a pipeman initially advancing to "1st Assistant Forman of the Hose" under Ephrime Platte-the 1st appointed Chief of the Prairie Birds.Ī second fire company was established and named the "McLean". Chuse worked as a harness maker, always ready to drop everything to fight a fire. Taken at Main & Washington Streets facing East. The new engine finally did arrive in December 1855 and was promptly named the Prairie Bird No. An engine had been ordered but the newly formed group had only buckets, ladders, and hooks to combat the fire. On October 16, 1855, a devastating fire destroyed eight buildings on the south side of the courthouse. Chuse who rang the courthouse bell to call the citizens together.
It was in 1854 that the citizens of Bloomington decided to organize their first Fire Co. At age 18, he became a member of the Liberty Co. helped the men in the Washington Fire Co. Chuse had already been very active with firefighting. Chuse arrived in Bloomington with his parents. It was at this time, just as the hazards of fires were beginning to be recognized, that a young man by the name of Marion X. It arrived in December, 1855-just two months after a devastating fire south of the courthouse. As the men pumped down on one side, the other side would push up and vise versa. Our first engine was a hand pumper with long poles on each side. Each building that used a fire inside was to provide a ladder, installed with 30 feet of the building.
"The Warden would inspect each building once a month. It was decided that a warden be appointed and his duties set forth. The City Fathers had begun to recognize the dangers of fire and the need for a "Fire Warden". In the year of 1850, the population of Bloomington, Illinois was just under 2,000 people. 160 Years Of Service | The Early Days | The Steam Era | The Modern Era
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