Compiled October 1965
Bird Island Fire Department by former Fire Chief Ray Meier
It is not known when the Bird Island Fire Department first organized. It also seems that they were not very record minded at that time, because it is little to find after that in that line until the 30’s. In talking to one of our old timers, Charlie Doyle, I was able to group together a few details of interest. Charlie came to our community, as a little boy, in 1894 and is known as the historian of Bird Island. According to him there wasn’t any official Fire Department until after the “Big Fire”. I had heard of this “Big Fire” quite often but never really knew when it happened. In Charlie’s’ recollection it happened in the early part of December of 1903. The only remaining land mark this fire left are the walls of our local bank. Although refinished and added onto are still standing in as good as condition as the day they were built. One causality was recorded from this fire. Up to this time the only protection they had from fire were 2 cisterns of water located along the main street. Equipment consisted of a hand pumper and buckets. Following this fire the town installed a water system, which continued on to our present water system. The record shows that the fire department was reorganized in December of 1930. Under the leadership of Gordon Karp. Also at this time the first truck was received. This truck is in use today with actual mileage on the speedometer of 3000 miles. The Fire Department was again regrouped in 1936 and has remained active through the present day. The history of the Bird Island Fire Department up to the late years seems to be long on membership and short on equipment. A 30-gallon chemical cart supplements the 1930 fire rig for country fires. Finally in 1950 a used fire truck was purchased from a neighboring community and used for town and country fires. In 1951 a portable auxiliary pump was purchased and mounted on the newer truck for assistance in country fires. This equipment although not sufficient served the community for 8 years. In 1958 a new tanker fire truck was purchased making, what the members thought, the department complete. Contracts with townships for fire protection were drawn up and it looked like we were set for anything. It wasn’t long before it was realized that a personnel carrier was necessary to haul the members to a fire. New equipment and speed made it dangerous for personnel to hang on the outside of equipment. A used suburban wagon was located and secured rounding out our equipment to the present day. Although our equipment is sufficient, our sights are still to improve. We are looking forward to the day when we will be able to install two-way radio on some of this equipment. Another desire is to secure a water wagon. I’m sure once these things are obtained there will be other items deemed necessary and wished for. The present membership consist of 25 members chosen by the members themselves under the direction of Fire Chief Ray Meier. Chief Meier joined the department in December of 1940 and with the exception of 3 years-6 months and 6 days spent in the Armed Forces has been a continuous member. He also has the longest membership in the department. Youth has been one of the qualifications for membership and it has it’s benefits. Fire calls are answered so quickly that it sometimes is quite a problem just to get on the rig before they leave. The latest action of out Department was the organizing and incorporation a Fireman’s Relief Association. This has been in the making for some time and was accomplished last year. Two of the oldest members, Wm. J Meier, father of the chief, and Ruben Ruehle were the first to receive the benefits of this organization. The Bird Island Fire Dept. averages about 18 to 20 calls a year. About half of these are country calls and the other half in town. We are proud of our Dept. Enthusiasm is great and we also have fun. We wouldn’t trade with anyone. Relations with the town council has been excellent so we are happy and proud to serve our community. Chief Ray Meier
Rewritten 2007
Sec. Al Stevens
