Forest City Fire Department History

In the early days of Forest City, fire protection relied on bucket brigades, where residents passed water from wells to burning buildings. Recognizing the need for better fire suppression, a hook and ladder company was organized in 1881. The city purchased a fire bell, a horse-drawn truck, and built a firehouse.

By 1895, a waterworks system was constructed, and in 1897, the Forest City Fire Department was officially established. Key founding members included Chief George Elder, Assistant Chief Thomas Danaher, and 26 charter members. The city was divided into fire alarm districts, and a fire bell was installed in the courthouse tower in 1903, where it still resides today.

Initially, fire equipment included a hand pumper, hose cart, and hook-and-ladder wagon. Firefighters pulled the equipment to fires until a dray team was later hired. In 1905, George Bolsinger’s trained horses became the primary means of transportation, racing to the firehouse at the sound of the bell.

A significant upgrade came in 1915 with the purchase of a chemical engine, followed by a 400-gallon-per-minute fire truck in 1923. This truck was replaced in 1930, and in 1947, a rural fire truck was acquired through cooperation with surrounding townships. The city added a modern fire truck in 1948, equipped with a 195-horsepower V-12 engine and the ability to pump 750 gallons per minute.

By 1954, the rural fire company purchased a tanker truck to supply water for rural firefighting efforts. That same year, the city secured a new fire station due to the growing need for space and stronger infrastructure to support the heavy fire trucks.

From its founding in 1897 until 1939, only three fire chiefs led the department: George Elder (15 years), William Lundberg (11 years), and H.J. Hanson (16 years). Since then, several individuals have taken on the role, continuing the legacy of protecting Forest City.

Since that time many changes have been made, today the department is equipped with a city pumper, rural pumper, 75’ aerial, water tanker, rescue vehicle, attack truck, grass truck, ranger and boat. 

 

 Mission Statement:   

The object of this association shall be to protect lives and property from loss by fire; to prevent and extinguish fires in Forest City and the vicinity; to take charge of, and care for all apparatus provided for such purpose and to exercise all the powers and perform all the duties of the fire department generally.

 

Facts:

• 24 volunteers, on call 24/7 which are trained at or above NFPA 1001 standards.
• On average the FCFD responds to 70 calls a year.  Ranging from CO calls, Structure fires, and vehicle accidents.
• The Fire Department serves a 143 square mile response area in North Central Iowa, which includes the Cities of Forest City, Leland and north side of Miller.  In Hancock County the townships of Madison and Ellington and in Winnebago County the townships of Mount Valley, Forest and sections of Linden and Newton.