A Brief History

Union Volunteer Fire Department

City records show that in 1874 a committee of two aldermen was appointed to procure two fire hooks. It was also ordered that no ladders, hooks or buckets be taken from engine house belonging to the city unless to be used for fire.

On April 9th, 1890 the city purchased a hand engine number 245 from L.M. Runnsey Mfg. Co. They also purchased on this date a smaller hang engine number 653 from N.O. Nelson Mfg. Co.

On July 19th, 1890 an ordinance was passed to “Establishment of Fire Department”. The officers to be elected by the Department are Fire Captain, First Assistant, Second Assistant and Secretary. The ordinance resulted in a tie vote, two aldermen for and two against. The mayor broke the tie by voting for the proposed ordinance. To this date portions of the ordinance are in our by-laws along with additions and some deletions.

In April 1902 city meeting the office of Treasurer was added to the Department by city ordinance along with the other officers.

The engine house was northeast of the old jail building, behind Busch’s Hardware Store.

A fire bell tower was built and completed in 1906. The first fire siren was bought in 1921 and it was placed on the roof of Citizens Bank.

In 1924, the city contracted with General Fire Mfg. Co., for the first fire truck. It was a Republic Motor Truck and it cost $4,000.00. There were eleven volunteer fire fighters who expressed willingness to learn to operate the truck and equipment.

In 1933, the city bought a new Dodge truck from General Fire Mfg. Co. for $3,300.00. They were allowed a $45.00 trade in on an older truck.

In April, 1933 the Franklin-Gasconade Fire Fighters Association was formed in Union.

In 1934, Eli Muench was appointed fire chief. The Department reorganized to better serve Union and Franklin-Gasconade Fire Fighters Association.

In 1937, the Department reorganized again and a secretary was elected. It was decided to go house to house and ask for donations to help buy equipment. A total of $146.50 was collected in two months.

In 1939, the Department bought a reconditioned truck less six tires for $125.00 from Omar Massek.

In December of 1939, the Department met with farmers to provide service within a five mile radius of Union.

On August 14, 1945, V.J. Day, after the Department meeting, went out and gathered a band for a street dance.

In 1946, the Department bought a new ton and half Ford Truck from Massek Murray and built a rural fire truck out of it.

In 1949, the Department moved into a new fire house on the corner of Church and East Locust.

In 1951, the city accepted the bid from Central Fire Truck Inc. for a new city fire truck for $7,200.00; this price included a 1951 Ford chassis.

At a special meeting in July of 1952, it was decided to buy a used 1947 Jeep for $450.00 with extra wheel and tire, to be used in fighting brush and wood fires, and to be built by the Department.

In 1953, drill nights were changed from Friday to Tuesday nights.

In 1955, the Department voted on uniforms. The Department was to furnish a shirt, jacket, cap, and each man to buy trousers and badges.

In 1960, the Department accepted a bid from Howell Fire Truck Co. for $5,468.00 and $3,589.11 Chevrolet chassis for first tanker.

In 1961, the Department joined the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri, and are still members today.

In 1963, the Department bought a used 1956 Chevrolet Panel truck for $200.00 and made the first rescue utility truck out of it. Total cost was around $800.00.

The city passed a bond issue in 1964 for an addition to the fire house, said issue was dedicated in 1965.

The Department accepted bids on a new 1965 CJ6 Jeep and deluxe brush unit from Central Fire Truck Company for a total of $5,785.42.

Bids were open for a new 1966 country truck chassis, Ford was the lowest bidder at $4,539.00 and Central Fire Truck Mfg. Co. had a low bid of 14,760.69. The city also bought a new Ford truck in 1966.

In 1967, the old country truck was sold to Leasburg.

In 1969 the Ladies Auxiliary was organized.

In 1969 the Department received a 1953 Jeep from the Conservation Department to be used for fighting brush fires.

In April of 1970, Donald Wilmesher was elected chief.

A committee on the rescue utility van reported in 1970, the cheapest bid was a Chevrolet for $ 5,610 and the chasis and bolt-on-body would cost around $11,000. The Department also added 2 boats, moors and engines to be added for dragging purposes and water rescue.

In September of 1971, the people of Union voted to form the Union Volunteer Fire Protection District.

At the December of 1972 business meeting there was a motion passed to sponsor a Boy Scout Explorer Post.

In 1973, the first dive class was formed. The class was to be a ten week course. Joe Pautler was also appointed Chief in 1973. Trucks were appointed 200 series numbers to make it easier for dispatch.

In 1974, the truck committee reported that a new Dodge with a front mount pump was going to be purchased.

In 1975, the Bi-Centennial Committee asked the Department to have an old fashioned picnic sometime during the summer of 1976. The Department accepted and decided that the profit from the picnic would go towards a new shelter in the park. Also in 1975, the District approved the bids for a new truck.

In January of 1977, the District leased a warehouse from Jim Straatmann in North Union. This was to be called North Station. A committee was also formed for a new pumper tanker truck.

In April of 1978, Vernell Kasmann was elected Chief. The planning committee reported that new rescue truck was needed. Also in 1978, the bid was awarded to Pierce for a new pumper tanker in the amount of $82,060.

In April of 1979, Gerald Borgmann was elected Chief.

In 1980, a change in the by-laws had the firefighters in the District vote on men that were eligible for a Chief's position. The District Secretary was to submit the top three candidates for the Chief.

In 1982, a bond issue for two new firehouses passed.

In December of 1982, the Union Volunteer Firefighters helped sandbag, tie down propane tanks, and pump out basements in what was called the "500-year flood" of the Bourbeuse River.

In April of 1983, the District was to pay a fourth of bill every month for the 911 system.

In 1984, both firehouses, passed by the bond issue of 1982, were occupied.

On Sunday, May 5, 1985, the fire stations were dedicated. Also the first Emergency Numbering System (ENS) was held on May 15th, in Union. The Union Fire District was the first to join.

At the January 14th, 1986, District Board Meeting, Robert (Bob) Dopp was appointed chief.

In January 1988 Pierce was awarded the bid for a new fire truck for $166,403. It was announced to be done in March.