E-mail: spencer@smunet.net

SPENCER FIRE DEPARTMENT

FIRE CHIEF
Douglas Duncan
10 Grand Avenue - Spencer, IA 51301 - Phone: 712/580-7240

The Spencer Fire Department is currently staffed by five full time employees consisting of the Fire Chief and 4 engineer/drivers. We are also fortunate to have approximately 30 volunteers who serve our community. A total compliment of 35 people are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide, among other services, fire protection to the citizens of Spencer, 56 rural contract holders and the Spencer Municipal Airport.

The department is housed at the Fire Station at 10 Grand Avenue, which was built in 1941. The two story, 2 bay structure houses the departments 3 pumpers and the equipment van. Other equipment includes a crew-cab, 1 ton rescue vehicle, a command vehicle and a water rescue trailer. Living quarters for the 24 hour personnel and meeting and training rooms are also included in the station.

In addition to firefighting equipment, the vehicles also carry equipment for other types of assistance. In the past few years the Spencer Fire Department has also responded to water rescues, car accidents, trenching accidents, search and rescue, gas leaks, spills, industrial accidents, aircraft emergencies, and in assisting law enforcement with evidence recovery. Because of the varied situations, the Fire Department may have over 50 training sessions per year including weekly practices of 2-3 hours, and schooling lasting 2-4 days. Many members of the Spencer Fire Department hold different levels of certification in various areas including Fire-fighter I, II, or III, Certified Instructor, Hazardous Materials, and Medical levels of Basic Life Support, First Responder or Emergency Medical Technician.

October 9,1871 is the day the Great Chicago Fire took place. This fire blackened 2,100 acres, destroyed over 17,000 buildings, left 100,000 people homeless and killed 250 people. From this fire rose a national interest in preventing it's repetition. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson declared October 9th as "Fire Prevention Day". Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has established Fire Prevention Week around this date.

During the month of October, the Spencer Fire Department comes in contact with approximately 1,600 elementary students in our schools, but fire prevention is actively promoted year round. Our Fire Department works with our nursing homes, hospital, businesses, and the citizens of Spencer to provide guidance regarding fire safety in various circumstances such as fire drills, evacuation plans, extinguisher use and many other safety matters. They feel that a good year-round program throughout the City is important.

In addition to providing many services for the Spencer area, the Spencer Fire Department also participates in yearly service projects including Flagfest, Flight Breakfast, Adopt-A-Family, YMCA Runs, and many others.

Interesting Note:

In Spencer's early years, citizens had to rely on the strength of a bucket brigade of citizens. In 1884, a fire company was organized with about 50 members. When a fire occurred, one person (the teamster) pulled the equipment to the fire. The teamster was paid $2.00 for his services, so there were some lively races to the station. Some of the horses made the trip so often, they would take off for the station when they heard the alarm. The story is told that one drayman's team got to the station before the driver! We've come a long way, haven't we??

City of Spencer
418 2nd Avenue West
Spencer, IA 51301
712/580-7200
E-mail: spencer@smunet.net

SPENCER FIRE DEPARTMENT

GENERAL INFORMATION

Interesting Note: