The History of the Appleton Fire Department

Lieutenant Jordan Steel from the Appleton Fire Department discussed the history of professional firefighting in Appleton. A group of civic minded people got together and recognized the threat that fires held if not controlled. In 1854, they organized and appointed 2 fire marshals to seek out fires and get volunteers to help put them out. There have been many fires over the years. In 1859, a fire consumed 6 factories, 2 mills, various other buildings and presented a staggering fire loss of $16,000. Fires like this led the City to form the first professional fire department in 1894. Fire Station #1 was located on the corner of Oneida and Washington Streets. Fire pumpers and ladder wagons were pulled by horses. Because fire fighters protect the community 24 hours a day, fire fighters spring out of bed, dressed and slid down the pole. In 1907, the Fire Department built a new station on Oneida and Washington Streets that served the community until 1964. When the first fire department started, there was only one shift. Fire fighters stayed at the fire station all the time. Every other day they were given 4 days off to go home to take care of matters. In 1922, they went to 2 shifts and in the 1960’s went to 3. The steam engine replaced water supplied by a hydrant or hand pump. This was kept running 24 hours a day to keep it hot and is also served to keep the station warm. By the 1930’s the horses were replaced. In 1964, the Station moved to Drew Street that serves today as their headquarters. In the 1960’s, the fire department used to operate ambulances. In the 1980’s, there was a referendum and the fire department lost the ambulances to Gold Cross. In the late 1990’s, fire departments re-entered the emergency medical field and works with Gold Cross. However, fire fighters cannot transport people to the hospital. Fire Station #2 was operated from 1890-1920 as a volunteer fire department on the corners of State and Eighth Streets.