Station # 1

          The West Side Fire Station was built in 1876 and was designed to house horse drawn equipment. It also shared space with City Hall. This aging building was replaced in 1957 with two stations. Station #1 located at 303 Milton Ave. and Station #2 located at 906 West Racine at the cost of $277,300.00.
         Station #1 boosted a trilevel design with four bays two of which you could drive through. The dispatch center was a large glassed-in control room, connected to this was a six-bed dormitory to house the ambulance personnel. Also, on the first floor were offices for the Chief, Deputy Chief, Battalion Chiefs, Captain, Inspector, and clerk. Reception area and public restrooms were also located near the front of the building. The pride was the large spacious kitchen and dining area.  Not much has change from the original design in the last fifty-two years.
       Station #1, also known as the “Big House”, is home to six personnel. Three Fire Fighters/EMTs, Two Paramedics, and a Shift Commander. 
          The offices of the Chief and both Deputy Chiefs are located at #1. The Fire Prevention Bureau also works out of this building assisted by an Administrative assistant and a Secretary.
         Station #1 houses the Shift Commander vehicle along with a Heavy Rescue, Paramedic unit, 3000 Gallon Tanker, Brush truck, boat and a Quint/Engine. The Technical Rescue trailer and reserve vehicles are also stored at station #1.
          Station #1 primary response area of the city is the downtown area with mixing older residential and commercial buildings along with new construction.
          Engine 81, a 1997 Pierce Quint 105’ Arial ladder with 300 gallons water and a 1250 GPM pump, responds to all fires and automatic alarms in the city limits, E-81 also respond to medical calls within its response area.  Station #1 is also responsible for responding to all brush fires and rural fires with a 1997 Chevrolet Brush truck and a 1991White GMC 3000 gallon tanker.
         Water rescue is supported by Station #1 which responds to all incidents with a 14’ foot John boat, a 14’ Zodiac inflatable boat, and a Heavy Rescue Truck that houses all dive equipment.
        Old as it may be the “Big House” still shows a lot of pride with many memories and stories of past firefighters who served at this station.

Submitted By: Capt. Bill McAfee, Capt. Jody Stowers, and Capt. Jim Dennis

Station # 1

          The West Side Fire Station was built in 1876 and was designed to house horse drawn equipment. It also shared space with City Hall. This aging building was replaced in 1957 with two stations. Station #1 located at 303 Milton Ave. and Station #2 located at 906 West Racine at the cost of $277,300.00.
         Station #1 boosted a trilevel design with four bays two of which you could drive through. The dispatch center was a large glassed-in control room, connected to this was a six-bed dormitory to house the ambulance personnel. Also, on the first floor were offices for the Chief, Deputy Chief, Battalion Chiefs, Captain, Inspector, and clerk. Reception area and public restrooms were also located near the front of the building. The pride was the large spacious kitchen and dining area.  Not much has change from the original design in the last fifty-two years.
       Station #1, also known as the “Big House”, is home to six personnel. Three Fire Fighters/EMTs, Two Paramedics, and a Shift Commander. 
          The offices of the Chief and both Deputy Chiefs are located at #1. The Fire Prevention Bureau also works out of this building assisted by an Administrative assistant and a Secretary.
         Station #1 houses the Shift Commander vehicle along with a Heavy Rescue, Paramedic unit, 3000 Gallon Tanker, Brush truck, boat and a Quint/Engine. The Technical Rescue trailer and reserve vehicles are also stored at station #1.
          Station #1 primary response area of the city is the downtown area with mixing older residential and commercial buildings along with new construction.
          Engine 81, a 1997 Pierce Quint 105’ Arial ladder with 300 gallons water and a 1250 GPM pump, responds to all fires and automatic alarms in the city limits, E-81 also respond to medical calls within its response area.  Station #1 is also responsible for responding to all brush fires and rural fires with a 1997 Chevrolet Brush truck and a 1991White GMC 3000 gallon tanker.
         Water rescue is supported by Station #1 which responds to all incidents with a 14’ foot John boat, a 14’ Zodiac inflatable boat, and a Heavy Rescue Truck that houses all dive equipment.
        Old as it may be the “Big House” still shows a lot of pride with many memories and stories of past firefighters who served at this station.

Submitted By: Capt. Bill McAfee, Capt. Jody Stowers, and Capt. Jim Dennis