Fire Department
History
The Greenville Fire Department was created by City Council on June 1, 1871. This was a result of a large fire the night of April 21, 1871 that caused nearly $15,000 damage. The department started with eight officers, including Chief H.K. McConnell, and sixty-four members. A Silsby Steamer, along with 2 hose carriages and 1,000 feet of hose was purchased for the sum of $7,200. In 1881, a second Silsby Steamer was purchased for $3,400. Also, in August of 1881, a hook ladder company was formed with eighteen members. Horses were first purchased in 1883. The horses were in service until 1914. A permanent station was built in 1884 on the public square. This modern station had stables in the rear and sleeping quarters on the second floor. A second team of horses and a Gamewell fire alarm system were acquired around this time. The alarm boxes were in service until 1988. On January 29, 1894, an ordinance was passed making the Greenville Fire Department a paid department. Over the past 131 years, approximately three hundred people have been employed by or volunteered with the Greenville Fire Department. There have been thirteen Chiefs in the history of the department. One line-of-duty death occurred in 1932, Ed Groosman was killed in December of 1932 by a falling chimney. The Department has used five stations in its history. Initially the department was housed in a frame building on Main Street. In 1876, with thededication of the new City Hall Building, which stood in the center of which is now the 'circle', the department moved into the new 'Engine Room'. A permanent station was built on the public square and occupied in 1884.
