Courtesy of MFD History Book July 7, 1897: The city rented the Old Methodist Church in the 200 block of North Lafayette St., for $20 per month.
The first man was hired by the city to care for the teams and carried the title of “driver of the Macomb Fire Dept.”
Simmers was the man’s name and was elected to the position by members of the fire dept.
Aug. 1897: The first horses bought for the dept.
Feb. 26, 1898: Bath tub, wash stand and water closet was put in the fire house for $80. Telephone put in for $11.
April 1899: They voted to buy 18 uniforms cost not to exceed $15.50 and that uniforms are to be bought out of 2% tax (single breasted coats).
July 1899: Invitation from C.V. Chandler requesting that fire dept. take part in the parade on the day of the dedication of the soldiers monument.
Jan. 1900: Chemical wagon bought for $950.
Feb. 1900: Card playing had become such a nuisance, they voted as of March 1 all card playing must stop, amended to stop on Feb. 26 except for members of the dept that wanted to play.
Sept. 1902: Motion made and carried to discontinue the use of the fire team on the ambulance.
April 1904: Committee formed to go to City Council to ask for pay ($5/mo for each member and $75/year for fire marshal).
July 1904: Council raised salary from $2 or $3 to $5/ month. Fire marshal from $50 to $75/year.
Sept. 3, 1904: Horse died. Replaced him with a team.
Dec. 1904: All card playing be stopped after Jan. 1, 1905. All loafers stopped from fire house at fire marshal discretion.
Jan. 1905: Card playing resumed again at the discretion of the fire marshal. Box of cigars donated by C.V. Chandler for services rendered at his car barn fire.
Jan. 1907: Fire marshal instructed by dept. to fire all drunks that loaf around firehouse, and no drinking allowed in or around the firehouse.
May 1907: Voted to put electric lights in the fire room.
June 1907: First electric light and gas co bill for $5.80.
Feb. 1908: Motion made to send a bill for the CB&Q Railroad Co. for $25. Damage done to our hose at fire Jan.
28.
Oct. 2, 1920: Fire phones put into firemans houses.
Fire phones to be put on each corner of the square (under glass).
July 27, 1931: Voted to buy Bill Chandler a gold badge for his 38 years of service.
Feb. 24, 1936: 1935 International Truck paid for. Truck complete with 300 foot 2½” hose and 400 foot of 1½” hose.
$5,600. Stutz trade in $1,500.
