Long over a century ago, Frazeysburg, and most small communities fought their fires with anything and everyone available—volunteers and bucket brigades. Over the years a few refinements were added, including a soda-acid extinguisher on wheels pulled by people and which needed to be recharged for each fire. A downtown bell summoned those nearby and the telephone operator had an emergency signal. Wi
th the establishment of a village water system, fire hydrants were provided. Conner and the Frazeysburg Council ordered a new red, 500 gallon-per-minute pumper. The truck was delivered in March 1944, and shortly thereafter there was a fire call. No one was in charge and no one knew how to operate the pumper. Luckily, according to a department history, the fire was extinguished, but it was obvious that a trained and organized fire department was needed to guard the safety of the community. In April, 1944 the Frazeysburg Fire Department was organized with 18 men. Charter members were: Roy Baker, Fred Beard, John R. Buker, Clarence J. Frazier, Jesse A. Buker, Roger W. Dolder, Byron K. Ensley, J. Frazier Bennett, W. Thomas Hamilton, P. Maxwell, Walter McNaught, Carl F. Miller, Robert W. Power, Charles Riley, Carl Sommerville, and Gerald Vance. When the town became a corporation in 1945, the department was renamed Frazeysburg Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. At that time, the department served everyone within a twenty-five mile radius of the village. Today, the department provides fire and EMS coverage to the Village of Frazeysburg and Jackson Township in Muskingum County, and fire protection to Pike Township in Coshocton County. We also assist Coshocton County EMS with EMS coverage in Pike Township. We have a total coverage area of 50 square miles and a population of approximately 3100. We have a roster of nearly thirty volunteers. We staff a two-man paramedic crew from 7am to 5pm, seven days a week. That crew is also cross-trained in fire supression. Volunteers assist throughout the day, and the department relies entirely on volunteers during afterhours.
