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In May of 1807, the city formed it's first volunteer fire
fighting unit. The Nashville Fire Department was organized
as a paid department on July 24, 1860, with John S. Dashiell
as its first chief. The first horse drawn steam fire engine
was called the "Hamilton," named after Mr. J. M. Hamilton,
who was a prominent hardware man of the time. Two other
horse drawn engines, the "Eclipse", and the "Deluge" were
also in service. In 1861, a hook and ladder company was
added to Nashville's growing fire department. Nashville put
it's first motorized fire engine in service in 1912.
One of the worst disasters in the history of Nashville
occurred in March of 1916. A fire in the east part of the city,
of unknown origin, started in the rear portion of Seagraves and
Company Planning Mill located at 214 North First Street.
This fire soon grew and became a conflagration. It swept
practically every building in its path for a distance of 2-1/4
miles, varying from one to two blocks in width. The fire
consumed approximately 648 buildings, principally dwellings. Due
to high winds and wooden shingle roofs, the fire spread very
rapidly and left hundreds homeless.
Since 1860, Nashville has grown from six square miles to 533
square miles. We now have 39 fire stations. Traditionally, the
fire department fought fires and ambulances were privately run
by funeral homes. In 1974, the Emergency Medical Services
Division was added. Firefighters are now cross-trained as
emergency medical technicians (EMT'S) and Paramedics, and
respond to any type of emergency situation. EMS Paramedics have
recently graduated from the Fire Academy and have been added to
firefighting companies.
Below is a photo of Engine 4 and Truck 3. In this photo from
Left to Right on the front row is A.D.Deason, unknown, Neely
Myers McCoy, "Doc" Carter. On the right side top far right is
Chief Ragsdale, second from right in front is W. C. Ackerman.
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| Below is a photo of Truck
7 (1963 Seagraves 85 Foot Ladder Truck). From left to right
standing by the truck are Engineer Terry Lester, Captain Jack
Womack, Captain Howard "Rip" Norris, On the ladder are Thomas
Worrall, Captain James T. McMillon, and Jerry Lamb. This photo
was taken about 1965 at our old training academy on 3rd Ave.
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