Kemmerer
Wyoming
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History
The spark that created the need for the fire protection came from the fire that destroyed Mr. Daby's house (now Vernon Fobian). The violent wind carried burning embers through the village endangering the house of Henry Springer (now R. LeGere), and Mr. Henry Conde (now Ted Farrell). The wind was due east and did not endanger the houses south of the hamlet. The K. of P. Hall was not in danger as it had a slate roof.
From the town records we learn that 116 land owners petitioned the Town Board to purchase two chemical fire engines in the year 1922. One to be housed in W. Charlton in Heckers barn and one to be housed at Henry Conde's garage in the Charlton Village.
Charlton Fire Department Mr. Harold Fobian as Master of the Charlton grange in 1922, circulated the petition to buy the fire engines. They were to be paid for by town taxes. At the same time Dr. A.M. Burt was circulating a similar petition that required a monetary donation. When the doctor realized the feasibility of Mr. Fobian's petition, he returned the money given to him by the signers of his petition.
Each fire engine consisted of a 40 gallon water tank mounted on an axle and two wagons wheels. Baking soda was added to the water when filling the tank. Beside the tank was a lead container which contained sulfuric acid. This container was equipped with a loose fitting cover and when it was inverted by a lever, the acid and soda produced a chemical action which built up pressure within the tank and forced the water out of the tank hose under pressure.
When the chemical fire engines arrived Henry Conde donated the piece of ground that was situated to the rear of the present fire house. At the time he thought that it was in poor taste to have a garage close to the road. At the location he built a one car garage to house the fire engine.
Fire calls were answered as far away as West Glenville. Mr. Fobian had a one ton cattle truck to transport the fire engine for calls outside the village.
Mr. Conde acted as Supervising Fire Chief until the company reorganized in 1927 and elected officers. After five years of protection by the chemical fire engine, the petitioners realized that it was inconvenient to transport.
The company records from 1930 to 1943 do not list the elected officers. As our knowledge has advanced over the years so too has the ability of the record keeping secretaries of the company.
Today, we can be classed as a first class rural fire department with competent officers and men. Our success over the years can be contributed to the foresight of our capable fire commissioners.
Charlton Volunteer Fire Department
History
The spark that created the need for the fire protection came from the fire that destroyed Mr. Daby's house (now Vernon Fobian). The violent wind carried burning embers through the village endangering the house of Henry Springer (now R. LeGere), and Mr. Henry Conde (now Ted Farrell). The wind was due east and did not endanger the houses south of the hamlet. The K. of P. Hall was not in danger as it had a slate roof.
From the town records we learn that 116 land owners petitioned the Town Board to purchase two chemical fire engines in the year 1922. One to be housed in W. Charlton in Heckers barn and one to be housed at Henry Conde's garage in the Charlton Village.
Charlton Fire Department Mr. Harold Fobian as Master of the Charlton grange in 1922, circulated the petition to buy the fire engines. They were to be paid for by town taxes. At the same time Dr. A.M. Burt was circulating a similar petition that required a monetary donation. When the doctor realized the feasibility of Mr. Fobian's petition, he returned the money given to him by the signers of his petition.
Each fire engine consisted of a 40 gallon water tank mounted on an axle and two wagons wheels. Baking soda was added to the water when filling the tank. Beside the tank was a lead container which contained sulfuric acid. This container was equipped with a loose fitting cover and when it was inverted by a lever, the acid and soda produced a chemical action which built up pressure within the tank and forced the water out of the tank hose under pressure.
When the chemical fire engines arrived Henry Conde donated the piece of ground that was situated to the rear of the present fire house. At the time he thought that it was in poor taste to have a garage close to the road. At the location he built a one car garage to house the fire engine.
Fire calls were answered as far away as West Glenville. Mr. Fobian had a one ton cattle truck to transport the fire engine for calls outside the village.
Mr. Conde acted as Supervising Fire Chief until the company reorganized in 1927 and elected officers. After five years of protection by the chemical fire engine, the petitioners realized that it was inconvenient to transport.
The company records from 1930 to 1943 do not list the elected officers. As our knowledge has advanced over the years so too has the ability of the record keeping secretaries of the company.
Today, we can be classed as a first class rural fire department with competent officers and men. Our success over the years can be contributed to the foresight of our capable fire commissioners.