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Centennial Souvenir Program, 1954
O'Fallon Volunteer Fire Department. Picture taken about 1895. In front, Harry Van Osdale. Seated from left: Julius Bernum, Frank Kerigan, John Schachner, Otto Weisbrod, George Brockhahn, Willie Weichert, Charles Dressel, Christ Schachner, William Coupin. Standing, from left: Julius Schalter, Sam. McGeehon, William Quinn, Harry Daniels, John Seddon, George Feder, Fred Schau, Joe Spry, and William Lehman.
The recorded history of the Volunteer Fire Department dates from the year 1891 when a definite organization was made under a charter granted by the state. Prior to this, the organization had existed as a group of volunteers that was an outgrowth of the old "bucket brigades." Their equipment, such as it was, was housed in a frame building in the first block of East First Street.
For equipment the early fire department possessed a hand pump, hose reels, and ladders all housed in the town hall. Of the original members of the department, only one is still surviving, Charles Dressel. He is the father of Elton Dressel who has just completed eight years service as Chief of the Fire Department (1946 to 1954).
In 1919 the department purchased its first motorized equipment, a 1919 Republic purchased from the Ohlendorf Hardware Co. It was equipped by the Central Fire Equipment Company and delivered on July 4, 1920. One-half the purchase price of $4750.00 was provided by the deparment and the balance was raised by public subscription. In subsequent years additional equipment was added: In 1929 a Chevrolet truck, and in 1949 the Disaster Unit and Mack truck. The disaster unit, GMC panel truck, is equipped with inhaltor [sic], rescusitator, cutting tools, 2-way radio, and an emergency light plant. It has answered many local calls to administer oxygen and assist in time of disaster and has, on numerous occasions, answered calls to nearby communities. All members of the department are required to be graduates of the Red Cross First Aid Course. O'Fallon has many times been reminded quite graphically of the importance of being adequately protected against fire. Early in the history of the town, before the town had a water supply, the Tiedemann Ice House fire--with a temperature of six degrees below zero and a six-inch coating of ice over the pond that had to furnish the water supply--etched itself into the memory of the townspeople. Then the O&M Depot fire, the Ohlendorf Hardware, and the Thomas Hardware fires are all vivid memories to those who witnessed them. The most disastrous fire of recent times took place on May 23, 1953 when the Shamrock Hotel and Allen's Store were destroyed. In 1950, a group of rural residents petitioned County Judge Dreman to form the O'Fallon, Shiloh Valley, Caseyville Rural Fire Protection District. The district received the approval of the rural residents and a board of three trustees, Erwin Hartman, Cyril Pfeiffer, and Walter Seibert was appointed. The district purchased a fire truck which is housed in O'Fallon and manned by the same 25 volunteers that compose the O'Fallon Fire Department. With the acquiring of this additional equipment, the department had outgrown the quarters provided in 1890. In 1953 the citizens of O'Fallon approved a bond issue to build a new fire department building. The building is now under construction and it is hoped to be completed in time to be dedicated as part of the O'Fallon Centennial. This observance will mark the growth of the department from a "bucket brigade" beginning to a department equal in equipment and building to any department that can be found in a community of our size.
Architect's drawing of new Fire Station now under construction.
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In 1890, O'Fallon built a town hall and, along with it, quarters for the fire department. In February, 1891 the department composed of 15 members, occupied their new quarters.
In 1904 the department was reorganized, added new members, and secured the charter under which they now operate. Among the new members added at this time was Herman Hemmen who owns the longest service record of anyone to the department. He joined the department in 1905 and was appointed Chief in 1909 by Mayor Joseph Taylor. He acted in that capacity until 1946 except for the year 1941 in which he did not seek office and Fred Budina served as Chief.
