Fire History
History Of The Maryville Fire Department
1915
The Maryville Fire Department was organized. At this time the city encompassed .3 square miles. John H. Mitchell was the city's first fire chief with an all volunteer firefighting force. City records show that in July 1915, Ajax Fire Engine Works offered an engine to the city for a 30 day trial.
1916
700 feet of fire hose was bought from the Eureka Fire Hose Mfg. Company for a sum of $450.00. In addition there were 2 notes, totaling $1,192.00, approved for the department.
1917
Fire suits were ordered and a fire alarm was purchased. Note: At this time, a Maryville resident could have one pig per household if the pig was kept in a sanitary pen.
November 18, 1918
Glen Huffstetler, father of W.L. (Jack) Huffsteler, who operated Blount County Fire Department, was chief. A one ton truck, costing $655.00 was bought to go with the hose ordered from the Eureka Fire Hose Mfg. Company. The truck was a 1918 Ford Model-T, equipped with four ladders, three extinguishers and the fire hose.
March 19, 1919
The newly created, Fire Committee, employed Parks Eagleton as the new fire chief at the rate of $85.00 a month; his salary was soon cut to $50.00 a month. Eagleton was a brother of Darrell Eagleton, founder of Costner and Eagleton Ford Motor Company.
1920
Maryville city fathers discussed buying a fire truck and otherwise equipping and maintaining an up-to-date fire department. The records show it was determined that the services of Parks Eagleton were no longer needed.
January 10, 1921
Ordinance # 258 established the first fire district for the city.
February 7, 1922
The city purchased a 1922 REO Flying Cloud Speed Wagon. It was made by Ransom E. Olds, founder of Oldsmobile.
October 28, 1926
The G.W. Greer garage on Main Street was completely destroyed by fire. Included in the loss were nearly 100 cars, 6 buses and two touring cars. Unfortunately for the City, all current fire equipment was also housed in the garage. Everything was a total loss. The fire was investigated by the State Fire Inspector and arson was cited as the cause. Mr. Greer, the garage owner, was charged and subsequently served 5 years in prison for arson and insurance fraud.
November 16, 1926
The purpose of the meeting was to review bids on a new fire engine to replace those lost in the G.W. Greer fire. The bid was awarded to the American-LaFrance Fire Engine Company, for a 1926 Type 75 Triple Combination Pumper. The total cost, spread over 6 years was $ 11,000.00. Rubber coats and metal helmets were purchased to go along with the new engine. At this time, the population of Maryville was 3, 739.
December 16, 1926
Glenn Huffstetler was appointed the new Chief of the Fire Department.
June 28, 1927
A tract of land on Church Street in downtown Maryville was purchased for the construction a Fire Station. The purchase price was $4500.00.
August 5, 1927
The city awarded a bid to H.C. Fonde & Son, for the construction of a fire station for the sum of $5730.00.
August 6, 1929
A report was submitted by the fire chief to the commission on the activities of the department from August 4, 1928 through July 29, 1929. The report stated the department had responded on 54 alarms for a total cost of $924.00. The average per call was $ 17.11
A 1930 Chevrolet Truck with a flat hauling bed and a 100 gallon tank was purchased by the fire department.
November 3, 1931
An ordinance creating a Bureau of Fire Prevention was presented and took effect on December 1, 1931.
September 3, 1935
Mr. P.K. Keny was appointed the Fire Chief.
The first paid firefighters were now working for the department. At this time the population of the city was 5,280.
December 7, 1940
Fire Chief Paul Keny died while in office and was replaced on December 14 by Mr. Dewey Monroe.
September 26, 1945
A letter from the governor of Tennessee was read designating the week of October 7, 1945 as Fire Prevention week.
August 1, 1950
The commission voted unanimously to purchase 2 gas masks for the fire department.
November 14, 1950
The city purchased a 1951 International Fire Truck with an American -Marsh Pump. The truck Chassis was an International with the fire equipment being supplied American-LaFrance.
1952
The city purchased a 1952 International fire engine. It was considered a Cadillac of the industry at the time.
January 19, 1954
The fire department purchased a 1954 American LaFrance 65' Aerial. The purchase included the aerial complete with a 65' ladder and a 750 gallon pump. Additional equipment included 1 two-way automatic Siamese, 1 automatic ladder pipe including 3 tips, and one life net. The purchase price was $33,400.00. Additionally, the existing fire hall had to be enlarged to accommodate the new purchase. Mr. Raymond Wells was hired as the new fire chief.
September 21, 1954
The city approved the purchase of 2 gas masks at a cost of $54.50 each.
February 22, 1955
The city received notification that its class 6 ISO grading would remain in effect. This was the first mention of an ISO class rating in the minutes of the city.
October 27, 1955
The city approved the purchase of the fire departments fist Type B Scott Demand Inhalator, complete with case and extra set of tanks. The total price was $ 188.00.
November 8, 1955
It was determined that the area built for the fire department in the new municipal building was not large enough to accommodate their equipment. The fire department was thus forced to stay in their old building. A new addition attached to the municipal building for the fire department was not constructed until 1972.
November 25, 1955
The resignation of Fire Chief Raymond Wells was accepted.
December 15, 1955
Mr. Robert Locke was appointed the new fire chief.
July 12, 1957
The city purchased a 1957 Ford Panel Truck to serve as a fire chief's vehicle and utility truck.
1960
The population of Maryville at this time was 10,348, encompassing 3.2 square miles.
February 21, 1964
The fire department purchased a 1964 American-LaFrance Fire Engine with a 1000 gpm pump. The cost of the apparatus was $23,547.00
July 23, 1964
Fire Chief Robert Locke resigned and was replaced by Mr. Stanley Hannah on August 1, 1964.
January 4, 1966
A resolution providing for the appointment of a Fire Code Inspector was presented and passed. Mr. Roy Latham was then elected to be the cities first full-time code inspector.
February 7, 1967
Glen Thomas was chosen as the new fire chief, replacing Stanley Hannah.
March 13, 1967
The construction of the cities second fire station was approved. The construction price was $ 78,600.00. It was thought at the time, that growth would go towards the east, so the station was location in east Maryville, adjacent newly annexed areas.
May 23, 1967
An International 5 man cab and chassis was purchased with the fire apparatus being supplied by American LaFrance. The total cost of the apparatus was $ 29,675.00.
October 31, 1967
The new Station 2 was opened. At this time the population of the city was 12,026, encompassing 3.96 square miles.
August 14, 1967
The City of Maryville changed to a Manager/Council form of government. This change eliminated the need to bring routine personnel matters before the city council. Therefore many of the day to day decisions were no longer made by the council, but instead were handled administratively. Very few entries regarding the fire department are found in the city council minutes from this point forward.
1972
The original fire station, occupied in 1927, was relocated from its Church Street location to the Maryville Municipal building. At this time the population of Maryville was 13,808 with a size of 6.7 square miles.
September 5, 1972
The city purchased a 1972 American-LaFrance Pumper. The cost was $49,660.00. The apparatus was ordered with a 1000 gpm pump, but arrived with a 1250 instead. The apparatus did not go into service until March of 1973.
January 1, 1975
The fire department established a 3 shift work schedule with each employee working a 24 hours on and 48 hours off.
August 3, 1976
The fire department purchased a 4 wheel drive pick-up truck for use as a Brush Truck for the total price of $ 10,378.00. This price included a slide in pump unit/tank unit supplies by WS Darley.
May 3, 1977
The fire department purchased its first set of extrication tools. There were manufactured by Hurst.
January 6, 1979
Bruce Hill was selected as the new fire chief, replacing Glen Thomas.
1980
The population of Maryville is now 17,464. The size has grown to 11.46 square miles.
November 11, 1986
The fire department purchased a new 1987 GMC to replace the existing brush truck. The total cost was $17,253.00.
1988
Ken Abbott was appointed as the new Fire Chief, replacing Bruce Hill. The department purchased a 1988 model E-One Custom pumper at a cost of $160,000. It became Engine One, replacing the 1972 American LaFrance as the first run engine.
1991
A Commercial 1991 International Fire Engine was placed in service.
January 1, 1995
Ed Mitchell was appointed the new Fire Chief, replacing Ken Abbott. Mitchell served as the Fire Marshall from 1988, until promoted to Fire Chief.
July, 1995
The department began providing a First Responder Service; providing Emergency Medical Services to the community.
October, 1995
The department occupied Station 3, located adjacent the new Foothills Elementary School. An additional eight firefighters were hired at this time to support the new station along with the purchase of a custom 1995 E-One pumper. The population was 22,000, encompassing 17 square miles.
February 20, 1996
ISO conducted a new evaluation, and the department moved from a class five to a class three.
1998
Departmental re-structuring occurred and two new positions were created. David Hodges and Gary West become Operations Commanders, bringing the full-time personnel level for the department to 37.
2004
The department placed a custom 2003 model E-One Fire Engine into service. This engine was considered a mini-pumper and was primarily utilized as part of the Emergency Medical Service; it proved to be better suited for many of the narrow, tree lined streets of the jurisdiction.
2004
The department placed a 2004 Ford F-550 4 x 4 in service as a support truck. It replaced the 1987 GMC Brush Truck.
July 2005
The department occupied its new Station One, Headquarters, as part of the new Maryville Municipal Center. The new facility replaced the original station that was built in 1972.
July 2007
A custom 2007 Sutphen 75' Quint was put into service. It replaced the original American LaFrance 85' ladder that was placed in service in 1954. The 1954 LaFrance was removed from service one year earlier due to age and serviceability.
November 1 2007
The department began providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) services.
February 26, 2008
The department achieved Accreditation Status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International / Center for Public Safety Excellence. They became the third accredited department in the state and the 123rd in the country.
September 2008
Fire Chief Ed Mitchell announced his retirement. The Police Chief, Tony Crisp, was appointed the Public Safety Director, overseeing both the police department and fire department.
1915
The Maryville Fire Department was organized. At this time the city encompassed .3 square miles. John H. Mitchell was the city's first fire chief with an all volunteer firefighting force. City records show that in July 1915, Ajax Fire Engine Works offered an engine to the city for a 30 day trial.
1916
700 feet of fire hose was bought from the Eureka Fire Hose Mfg. Company for a sum of $450.00. In addition there were 2 notes, totaling $1,192.00, approved for the department.
1917
Fire suits were ordered and a fire alarm was purchased. Note: At this time, a Maryville resident could have one pig per household if the pig was kept in a sanitary pen.
November 18, 1918
Glen Huffstetler, father of W.L. (Jack) Huffsteler, who operated Blount County Fire Department, was chief. A one ton truck, costing $655.00 was bought to go with the hose ordered from the Eureka Fire Hose Mfg. Company. The truck was a 1918 Ford Model-T, equipped with four ladders, three extinguishers and the fire hose.
March 19, 1919
The newly created, Fire Committee, employed Parks Eagleton as the new fire chief at the rate of $85.00 a month; his salary was soon cut to $50.00 a month. Eagleton was a brother of Darrell Eagleton, founder of Costner and Eagleton Ford Motor Company.
1920
Maryville city fathers discussed buying a fire truck and otherwise equipping and maintaining an up-to-date fire department. The records show it was determined that the services of Parks Eagleton were no longer needed.
January 10, 1921
Ordinance # 258 established the first fire district for the city.
February 7, 1922
The city purchased a 1922 REO Flying Cloud Speed Wagon. It was made by Ransom E. Olds, founder of Oldsmobile.
October 28, 1926
The G.W. Greer garage on Main Street was completely destroyed by fire. Included in the loss were nearly 100 cars, 6 buses and two touring cars. Unfortunately for the City, all current fire equipment was also housed in the garage. Everything was a total loss. The fire was investigated by the State Fire Inspector and arson was cited as the cause. Mr. Greer, the garage owner, was charged and subsequently served 5 years in prison for arson and insurance fraud.
November 16, 1926
The purpose of the meeting was to review bids on a new fire engine to replace those lost in the G.W. Greer fire. The bid was awarded to the American-LaFrance Fire Engine Company, for a 1926 Type 75 Triple Combination Pumper. The total cost, spread over 6 years was $ 11,000.00. Rubber coats and metal helmets were purchased to go along with the new engine. At this time, the population of Maryville was 3, 739.
December 16, 1926
Glenn Huffstetler was appointed the new Chief of the Fire Department.
June 28, 1927
A tract of land on Church Street in downtown Maryville was purchased for the construction a Fire Station. The purchase price was $4500.00.
August 5, 1927
The city awarded a bid to H.C. Fonde & Son, for the construction of a fire station for the sum of $5730.00.
August 6, 1929
A report was submitted by the fire chief to the commission on the activities of the department from August 4, 1928 through July 29, 1929. The report stated the department had responded on 54 alarms for a total cost of $924.00. The average per call was $ 17.11
A 1930 Chevrolet Truck with a flat hauling bed and a 100 gallon tank was purchased by the fire department.
November 3, 1931
An ordinance creating a Bureau of Fire Prevention was presented and took effect on December 1, 1931.
September 3, 1935
Mr. P.K. Keny was appointed the Fire Chief.
The first paid firefighters were now working for the department. At this time the population of the city was 5,280.
December 7, 1940
Fire Chief Paul Keny died while in office and was replaced on December 14 by Mr. Dewey Monroe.
September 26, 1945
A letter from the governor of Tennessee was read designating the week of October 7, 1945 as Fire Prevention week.
August 1, 1950
The commission voted unanimously to purchase 2 gas masks for the fire department.
November 14, 1950
The city purchased a 1951 International Fire Truck with an American -Marsh Pump. The truck Chassis was an International with the fire equipment being supplied American-LaFrance.
1952
The city purchased a 1952 International fire engine. It was considered a Cadillac of the industry at the time.
January 19, 1954
The fire department purchased a 1954 American LaFrance 65' Aerial. The purchase included the aerial complete with a 65' ladder and a 750 gallon pump. Additional equipment included 1 two-way automatic Siamese, 1 automatic ladder pipe including 3 tips, and one life net. The purchase price was $33,400.00. Additionally, the existing fire hall had to be enlarged to accommodate the new purchase. Mr. Raymond Wells was hired as the new fire chief.
September 21, 1954
The city approved the purchase of 2 gas masks at a cost of $54.50 each.
February 22, 1955
The city received notification that its class 6 ISO grading would remain in effect. This was the first mention of an ISO class rating in the minutes of the city.
October 27, 1955
The city approved the purchase of the fire departments fist Type B Scott Demand Inhalator, complete with case and extra set of tanks. The total price was $ 188.00.
November 8, 1955
It was determined that the area built for the fire department in the new municipal building was not large enough to accommodate their equipment. The fire department was thus forced to stay in their old building. A new addition attached to the municipal building for the fire department was not constructed until 1972.
November 25, 1955
The resignation of Fire Chief Raymond Wells was accepted.
December 15, 1955
Mr. Robert Locke was appointed the new fire chief.
July 12, 1957
The city purchased a 1957 Ford Panel Truck to serve as a fire chief's vehicle and utility truck.
1960
The population of Maryville at this time was 10,348, encompassing 3.2 square miles.
February 21, 1964
The fire department purchased a 1964 American-LaFrance Fire Engine with a 1000 gpm pump. The cost of the apparatus was $23,547.00
July 23, 1964
Fire Chief Robert Locke resigned and was replaced by Mr. Stanley Hannah on August 1, 1964.
January 4, 1966
A resolution providing for the appointment of a Fire Code Inspector was presented and passed. Mr. Roy Latham was then elected to be the cities first full-time code inspector.
February 7, 1967
Glen Thomas was chosen as the new fire chief, replacing Stanley Hannah.
March 13, 1967
The construction of the cities second fire station was approved. The construction price was $ 78,600.00. It was thought at the time, that growth would go towards the east, so the station was location in east Maryville, adjacent newly annexed areas.
May 23, 1967
An International 5 man cab and chassis was purchased with the fire apparatus being supplied by American LaFrance. The total cost of the apparatus was $ 29,675.00.
October 31, 1967
The new Station 2 was opened. At this time the population of the city was 12,026, encompassing 3.96 square miles.
August 14, 1967
The City of Maryville changed to a Manager/Council form of government. This change eliminated the need to bring routine personnel matters before the city council. Therefore many of the day to day decisions were no longer made by the council, but instead were handled administratively. Very few entries regarding the fire department are found in the city council minutes from this point forward.
1972
The original fire station, occupied in 1927, was relocated from its Church Street location to the Maryville Municipal building. At this time the population of Maryville was 13,808 with a size of 6.7 square miles.
September 5, 1972
The city purchased a 1972 American-LaFrance Pumper. The cost was $49,660.00. The apparatus was ordered with a 1000 gpm pump, but arrived with a 1250 instead. The apparatus did not go into service until March of 1973.
January 1, 1975
The fire department established a 3 shift work schedule with each employee working a 24 hours on and 48 hours off.
August 3, 1976
The fire department purchased a 4 wheel drive pick-up truck for use as a Brush Truck for the total price of $ 10,378.00. This price included a slide in pump unit/tank unit supplies by WS Darley.
May 3, 1977
The fire department purchased its first set of extrication tools. There were manufactured by Hurst.
January 6, 1979
Bruce Hill was selected as the new fire chief, replacing Glen Thomas.
1980
The population of Maryville is now 17,464. The size has grown to 11.46 square miles.
November 11, 1986
The fire department purchased a new 1987 GMC to replace the existing brush truck. The total cost was $17,253.00.
1988
Ken Abbott was appointed as the new Fire Chief, replacing Bruce Hill. The department purchased a 1988 model E-One Custom pumper at a cost of $160,000. It became Engine One, replacing the 1972 American LaFrance as the first run engine.
1991
A Commercial 1991 International Fire Engine was placed in service.
January 1, 1995
Ed Mitchell was appointed the new Fire Chief, replacing Ken Abbott. Mitchell served as the Fire Marshall from 1988, until promoted to Fire Chief.
July, 1995
The department began providing a First Responder Service; providing Emergency Medical Services to the community.
October, 1995
The department occupied Station 3, located adjacent the new Foothills Elementary School. An additional eight firefighters were hired at this time to support the new station along with the purchase of a custom 1995 E-One pumper. The population was 22,000, encompassing 17 square miles.
February 20, 1996
ISO conducted a new evaluation, and the department moved from a class five to a class three.
1998
Departmental re-structuring occurred and two new positions were created. David Hodges and Gary West become Operations Commanders, bringing the full-time personnel level for the department to 37.
2004
The department placed a custom 2003 model E-One Fire Engine into service. This engine was considered a mini-pumper and was primarily utilized as part of the Emergency Medical Service; it proved to be better suited for many of the narrow, tree lined streets of the jurisdiction.
2004
The department placed a 2004 Ford F-550 4 x 4 in service as a support truck. It replaced the 1987 GMC Brush Truck.
July 2005
The department occupied its new Station One, Headquarters, as part of the new Maryville Municipal Center. The new facility replaced the original station that was built in 1972.
July 2007
A custom 2007 Sutphen 75' Quint was put into service. It replaced the original American LaFrance 85' ladder that was placed in service in 1954. The 1954 LaFrance was removed from service one year earlier due to age and serviceability.
November 1 2007
The department began providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) services.
February 26, 2008
The department achieved Accreditation Status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International / Center for Public Safety Excellence. They became the third accredited department in the state and the 123rd in the country.
September 2008
Fire Chief Ed Mitchell announced his retirement. The Police Chief, Tony Crisp, was appointed the Public Safety Director, overseeing both the police department and fire department.
