History 

  1. 1 Firefighter on Horse Pulled Carriage 1
  2. 2 Firefighter on Horse Pulled Carriage 2
  3. 3 Firefighters on Large Carriage Pulled by Horse
  4. 4 Firefighters Posing
  5. 5 Firefighters Next to Cossairts Flowers
  6. 6 Firefighters in Old Cars
  7. 7 Old Photo of Firestation Next to Cleaners

Old Photo of Firestation

Fire protection in Shelbyville began shortly after the city’s incorporation in the early 1850s. Early ordinances were enacted to prevent fires, including strict regulations on stove pipes, smoking in stables, and the use of candles and fireworks. Property owners were required to provide leather buckets, forming the city's first "Bucket Brigade" for firefighting.

In response to several destructive fires in 1868, two local businessmen purchased a hand-pump fire engine from Springfield, Ohio, for $800. The engine, emblazoned with "With This We Conquer," arrived in June of that year, and the Union Fire Company No. 1 was organized. Initially stored in a livery stable, the engine was later housed in the new city building completed in 1869. This facility also included a prison, meeting rooms, and the mayor's office. In 1872, a ladder wagon was added to help access taller buildings.

Large Amount of Smoke from Building

In 1874, the city was impressed by a demonstration of a steam pump fire engine and purchased a 700-gallon-per-minute model from C. Ahrens and Company of Cincinnati. The new engine, named "Major Hendricks," cost $6,000 and proved invaluable in saving property from fire damage. The steamer was used until 1886, when the city's new waterworks system made it obsolete by providing a reliable water supply through hydrants.

By 1892, the Shelbyville Fire Company No. 1 had installed a Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph system to alert firefighters of emergencies. The department also upgraded its equipment, replacing old hose reels with new hose wagons that could carry more gear.

In 1902, when the city building was demolished to make way for a new city hall, the fire department temporarily housed its wagons in livery barns around the city. By 1916, the city council recognized the need for a professional fire department, leading to the construction of a new station on W Broadway St. and the purchase of two new Gramm-Bernstien fire trucks. The Shelbyville Fire Department officially began operations on February 1, 1917, with six firefighters and a fire chief. Over the years, the department continued to expand its equipment and personnel, including the addition of a 1,000-gallon-per-minute pumper truck in 1928 and a ladder truck in 1945.

Firefighters Spraying Water from Ladder

As the city grew, additional fire stations were needed. In 1954, Fire Station No. 2 was established on East Jackson St. to improve response times, particularly due to the main railroad line cutting through town. The station moved to a new facility on East Michigan Road in 1960, and a 65-foot Snorkel truck was added to the fleet in 1964 to address the growing height of city structures. Fire Station No. 3, which also serves as a water tower, was built in 1985 to improve coverage in the southwest part of the city.

In 1990, the fire department took over EMS services for Shelbyville and Shelby County, with all new firefighters trained as EMTs or paramedics. The department continued to evolve, moving into a new state-of-the-art facility in 2006, which replaced the original Station No. 1.

Today, the Shelbyville Fire Department, with 62 members, provides not only fire protection and EMS services but also specialized rescue services, including the Shelby County Water Rescue Team and the Rescue Task Force (SWAT).