Northwestern Ohio Volunteer Firemens Association

Firemens Convention 2012

June 15 & 16 in Delphos
A Special Supplement To The Delphos Herald June 2012

2 The Herald Firemens Convention June 2012

2012 N.O.V.F.A. 138TH Convention Schedule of events

Friday, June 15
Registration 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Headquarters Delphos Fire Rescue Station Waterball Registration 2:30-3:30 p.m. 1st Street between Main and Washington Captains Meeting 3:30 p.m. Waterball Contest 4 p.m. First Street between Main and Washington Queens Contest Registration Noon to 1:30 p.m. Jefferson Middle School 227 N. Jefferson St. Queens Preliminary Interview 1:30 p.m. Jefferson Middle School 227 N. Jefferson St. Queens Rehearsal 3-4 p.m. Jefferson Middle School 227 N. Jefferson St. Queens Contest 5 p.m. (parade to follow) Jefferson Middle School 227 N. Jefferson St.

Saturday, June 16

Registration 8 a.m. to noon Headquarters Delphos Fire Rescue Station Delegates registration 8:30-9 a.m. St. John High School, All Saints Building 515 E. Second St. N.O.V.F.A. Convention Meeting 9 a.m. St. John High School, All Saints Building 515 E. Second St. Past Presidents Luncheon noon St. John High School, All Saints Building 515 E. Second St. Parade 1:30 p.m. Starting at Second and State streets (see parade route on page 11)

Congratulations Delphos Fire Department!

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The Herald Firemens Convention June 2012 3

DELPHOS TRADING POST

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Welcome to Delphos Firemen!

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4 The Herald Firemens Convention June 2012

History of Delphos Fire & Rescue

Few local residents remember the old fire engine house located where the present hire station is. Few remember the rubber buckets used to put out fires. Nor will anyone remember the hand pumper responsible for many blisters or the transition to horsedrawn equipment. Having a fire department was not taken for granted in the mid 1800s. The City of Delphos was striving to make itself a desirable place of residence and business. The community experienced a disastrous fire on May 3, 1872 Black Friday. This caused steps to be taken in the direction of providing adequate fire fighting apparatus. The citizens of Delphos determined that never

How it all started

again would they be in a position of helplessness should the fire fiend attack. Delphos has been an organized municipality since March 3, 1851. The only firefighting equipment consisted of buckets, water taken from the canal, the creeks, or from wells and citizens serving as volunteers. The city fathers recognized that a bucket brigade afforded small protection against fire in a growing community. Steps were taken on April 25, 1857, to remedy the situation by purchase six fire ladders for $72. Practically nothing more was added until after Black Friday. Forty-five structures fell prey to the flames at a cost of $150,000. Most of them were located between Second and Third streets, and the Miami-Erie Canal and Washington Street. Hand pump era Public demand for better fire protection resulted in official action. A firehouse was built in 1872 for $250. A hand pumper with 500 feet of hose was purchased from the City of Xenia. That same year, the Washington Fire Engine and Hose Company was formed by John Walsh Sr. This was the first organized firefighting unit for the municipality. On Feb. 14, 1873, a hose reel was purchased and the city built seven fire cisterns at 250 barrels each and located them around town. The citys first steam fire engine was

brought to Delphos in 1874 and a second steamer was purchased in 1880. That same year, an up-to-date hook and ladder truck and equipment was purchased. In 1883, a new steamer was purchased and the older steam pumper was turned in as part payment. After city hall was built in 1888, the separate firefighting units were united and became the Delphos Volunteer Fire Department. Each group continued to elect its own officers until they disbanded in 1898 and reorganized the same year. The department adopted a constitution and bylaws that were placed under the command See HISTORY, page 5

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The Herald Firemens Convention June 2012 5

History

(Continued from page 4) rural fires. In early summer 1954, it purchased a Dodge chassis with a 1,500-gallon tank that was donated to the Delphos Fire Department. On Jan. 1, 1960, city council authorized the departments manpower to be increased from 15 to 20 volunteer firefighters. It also raised their pay to $3 for the first hour and $2 per hour thereafter. In 1962, a 1,000-gallon per minute pumper with a 300-gallon tank was purchased. The 1930 truck became the backup and the 1929 pumper is now housed at the Fire Truck Museum near the Canal parking lot on Second street. In early 1964, the Community Fire Protection Association began looking into replacing the 1954 truck. In July, a 1964 International chassis and a new water tank with a capacity of 2,000 gallons was purchased. On Feb. 1, 1967, city council authorized the manpower of the Delphos Fire Department be increased to five full-time men and one part-time man. The full-time department consisted of a chief, two captains and two firefighters. The total manpower was up to five full-time firefighters, one part-time firefighter and two night firefighters, with 20 volunteer firefighters on call at all times.

of the same chief and his assistants, functioning as a single unit. Motorized department The Delphos Department became motorized in 1916 by the purchase of a combination hose and chemical truck. This served well until 1929 when a bigger truck was purchased that was equipped with a 500-gallon per minute pumper and chemical tanks. Later, the chemical tanks were removed and the truck converted into a triple combination, equipped to carry 400 gallons of water in its booster tank. In May 1930, the department was further modernized with the purchase of a fullyequipped 1,000-gallon per minute triple combination pumper. There were four fulltime firefighters, two on each shift. One substitute and two part-time men were added for night service. There were also 15 volunteers on call at all times. These firefighters were led by Chief Nick Hummer. In 1950, the Delphos Fire Department purchased a new two-stage 500-gallon per minute truck with a water tank capacity of 500 gallons. With this pumper, the 1929 truck became a backup. In the summer of 1953, the Delphos Community Fire Protection Association was formed. It intended to purchase a tank truck to be used for transporting water to

In April 1972, a new 1,250-gallon per minute pumper with a 750-gallon water tank was purchased. A 1974 International chassis and 2,000-gallon water tank with a 250-gallon per minute pump were also purchased. This truck replaced the 1964 tank truck. In 1978, the department bought a fourwheel drive truck to use as a mini-pumper. With its small 200-gallon water tank and pump, its primary role was to respond to trash fires, field fires and use of the portable generator to light incident scenes at night. In June 1981, city council increased

the number of full-time firefighters to six men and made the chiefs position a fulltime job. The volunteer firefighter ranks increased from 20 to 25 positions. In 1982, a Ford chassis and custom built pumper equipped with a 1,250-gallon per minute pump and 750-gallon water tank replaced the 1962 pumper, which was kept in reserve. In 1990, a heavy rescue unit was put into service. In times of financial shortage, the fire department is known for its thriftiness. The department refurbished a 1977 ambuSee HISTORY, page 8

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Babette Stewart with Bella, a St. Poodle.

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8 The Herald Firemens Convention June 2012

History

(Continued from page 5) In 1994, all full-time firefighters had become certified as EMT-As, allowing a first-responder program to be instituted. The response time for emergency care was cut in half or better. This also helped cut down the on scene time, which means patients arrive at hospitals sooner. The water-rescue division was also formed that year. It comprised of 20-plus members, 10

lance, turning it into a heavy rescue vehicle with equipment such as extrication tools, air bags and hazardous material items. It is also used when making mutual aid responses with surrounding departments. Six SCBAs are onboard for just such responses. The useful vehicle was made possible by the hard work of the firefighters and at a minimal cost to the city.

of which are certified SCUBA divers donate their time to train for any related emergency. Through many donations, contributions and the Delphos Fire Association, an inflatable boat and 25-horse power motor were purchased for emergencies. An era ends After 50 years of service, Ralph Skid Wrocklage retired in January 1996. This brought the position of Sleeper at the Delphos Fire Department to a close. A sleeper was someone who for six nights a week would report to the station at 10 p.m. and remain there until 6:30 a.m. the next day. Shortly after Wrocklages retirement, the position was eliminated.

The current available number of volunteers firefighters is at 30 which was increased in 2005 from 28. The full time staff consists of 7 personnel. The current fire department apparatus consists of the following: 1997 E-One Cyclone II Custom 1,500 GPM Pumper w/preplumbed Class A & Class B Foam Systems, a 1983 1,000 GPM Ford/Boyer Pumper, an International 2002 truck with 2,000 gal. tank, a 2008 American LaFrance, a 1250 GPM pump with 2,500 gallon water tank, a 2002 E-One Typhoon 18 NonWalkin Heavy Rescue, a 2002 Chevrolet See HISTORY, page 9

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The Herald Firemens Convention June 2012 9

History

(Continued from page 8) 2007 Braun Ambulance, a Medic 2 1999 Braun Ambulance, a Medic 3, 2003 AEV Trauma Hawk Ambulance and a 2005 Ford Wildfire Grass Truck.

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10 The Herald Firemens Convention June 2012

Alyssa Martz is host queen for convention

Alyssa Martz, daughter of firefighter/EMT Steve and Dena Martz of Delphos, is the Delphos Fire and Rescue Host Queen for the Northwest Ohio Volunteer Firemens Assoc. convention this weekend. Martz represented the local fire department at the 2011 convention. She said it was an honor. It was great to represent Delphos. I know how much it means to the guys, she said. I also enjoyed being a role model for queens-to-be. Martz will welcome the incoming fire departments on Friday and participate in the queens pageant on Saturday. Most of my duties this weekend are with the pageant, the 19-year-old said. I will escort the pageant girls in and during the pageant I will give out the sashes and plaques. The most exciting part will be crowning the 2012 queen. Martz is a student at Ohio StateLima and will move to the home campus in Columbus to finish her bachelors degree in radiography. She contributed to the OSU Denman Project last year, taking surveys on dreams. She is a 2011 Jefferson High School graduate and enjoys drawing, photography, swimming and relaxing and is looking forward to reading the Hunger Games.

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WELCOME Members of the Northwest Ohio Volunteer Firemans Association !! We say THANKS to all those you put their lives on the line to protect ours!

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The Herald Firemens Convention June 2012 11

Parade Route

Welcome to Delphos
Volunteer Firefighters!

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12 The Herald Firemens Convention June 2012

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