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In 1903, the town was incorporated. After a fire in August of that year, the need for fire equipment became very evident. To obtain the needed money by taxation, the town had to be incorporated. The Blue Grass Volunteer Fire Department was officially organized in 1925. Fires were being fought with a two wheel hose cart, which was pulled by men to the fire. The townspeople got together and held many functions to raise money to purchase a motorized truck with chemical tanks. This truck had 2 tanks and was housed under the Town Hall. This truck put out 2 fires. Firemen in those days had to solicit members for subscription in the fire department which gave people living outside the city limits fire protection. In 1949 the city put in the water system, which allowed the fire department to use pressure trucks. In 1950, the first pressure fire truck was purchased and a new fire house was built. A tanker truck was purchased in 1954 and another pumper in 1967. The fire station has been added on to 3 times since 1950 but the original 1950 structure is still intact on the west end of the station. The department is strictly volunteer and always has been. In 1967 the fire station caught on fire. It did not destroy any apparatus but did completely gut the office and kitchen area. Smoke damage was sustained throughout the station. The fire was suspected to be the work of an arsonist but no one was ever convicted of the charge. There have been no line of duty deaths within the department. In 1976 we responded to 47 calls. In 2004 the department responded to 247 calls, in 2005-- 327 calls and 2006-- 285 calls. We are a first responding fire department responding to emergency medical calls, vehicle accidents, all types of fires, hazardous material situations, investigation, and citizen assistance. Presently we are attempting to raise the necessary money to construct a new fire station with an approximate cost of $1.5 million |
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“Proud to Serve. Serve to be Proud.” |
