Because the nearest Fire Department was Bonne Terre Rural, and they were 45 minutes away! Our first Fire Truck was an American La France Pumper, unfortunately this truck was never put into service as there were holes in the tank, and the pumper didn't work. In 1980 a 1948 Ford Towers Pumper and a Ford Tanker was bought from Dunklin Fire Department, both were put into service, and was stationed in
the front yard of one of the fireman's homes. Later during the winter the pumper was station in a garage located at Sunshine, and Pond Rd. The tanker had to be filled with water in the winter before it could be used. In 1981 Goose Creek saw the First Fire House, it was the old Trustee's Office, Maintenance was on one side, The Fire Department on the other side, and the Trustee's office in the middle. Also in 1981 an old International was bought and the tank from the Ford was transferred to it. The Fire Departments first radios were purchased in 1982 with a grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation. The Fire Departments only source of income was collections at the gate, which is still done today.
1983 saw the Fire Department move in to the new field of EMS with one member becoming an EMT.
1984 saw a lot of changes, first our incorporation papers were changed so we could become a tax-exempt organization, and be recognize by IRS. In May of that year we were able to get our class 9 I.S.O. rating. We also bought a 1966 Dodge Truck which was made into a 1000 Gal. tanker, which replaced the one from Dunklin. In April we sent our first 2 Firemen to Firefighter I & II classes at Dexter Missouri. In July of that year we had six people attend the First Responder Class held in the state put on by the St. Francois County Ambulance, which was certified by the State Health Department. Our first Rescue Unit was put into service, it was a Chevy van, donated by SBC. In October we sent 3 firemen to a propane class at Bloomsdale, Missouri. We also started having fundraisers which is still done today. This is our main source of income. In 1985 this department along with other departments in the county plus the sheriffs department started a fire investigation unit which lasted for about 5 years. We sent 4 firemen to different classes put on by the State Fire Marshal Office, and the University of Columbia Fire and Rescue Institute. We sent 4 more fireman to the First responder Classes. In 1986 saw some changes, the main change was that the Goose Creek Board of Trustees decided to give the Fire Department the $2000.00 per year that they had been paying to Bonne Terre Rural each year. In 1987 we put up the tower on Pond Rd. and installed a cross band repeater for better communications, which is still used today. This was also the first year that the Fire Department put on a Fireworks Display at the beach area which is still done today. This was started because of numerous firework accidents and fires caused by them, it has reduced these by more than 50%.
1988 was a good year in that Firehouse 1 was built next to the Rec Hall. We also bought another Pumper, a 1964 Maxim. In 1989 we bought a 2600 gal tanker from the military surplus in Jefferson City plus we had a 1963 REO Pumper given to us, which replaced the old Ford Pumper in 1992. In 1990 we got our first brush truck from the MO Dept. of Conservation a M561 Gamma Goat. We also got a M52A Military 5-ton from Jefferson City which we made into a 1500 Gal Tanker with a 250 GPM pump. This replaced the old Dodge Tanker. In1992 the Trustees decided to change from giving us the $2000 peer year to giving us 1% of the General Fund that they took in each year. An have done this every year since except in 2003 when they reduced it to 1/2%. The Trustees raised it back to 1% in 2004. In the Spring of 1993 we had our two largest fires in Goose Creek, the first one started from a person burning leaves down by the lake, when it was all over it had burned over 40 acres, some 160 lots. The very next day we had another fire. This fire started by people leaving their campfire unattended. This fire burnt over 80 plus acres, both inside Goose Creek and outside. It took five Fire Departments plus a bulldozer from the Missouri Department of Conservation.
1996 Firehouse 2 was built in the fall. In 1997 The Fire Department bought a 1968 Ford Pumper/Tanker plus we had a 1968 Ladder Truck given to us. We also received our first AED from St. Francois County Ambulance. In September of 2000 we started working with other Fire Departments in the area to form an Area Dive Team, because of the fact we had a car go into the lake that took over 4 hours to get a Dive Team here. In 2001 we bought a Large Diameter Hose truck which can carry up to 6000 feet of 5in hose. We also had an arsonist running lose in Goose Creek, he burned at least 10 houses here. He was later caught and admitted to burning 8 of these houses. He was later convicted to 20 counts in St.Francois County and was sentenced to 100 years.
2002 began the start on an addition to Firehouse 1 that would be used for Admin. It was finished in the fall of 2003. In 2003 we installed 3 more dry hydrants. We also got 3 sirens from the City of Edwardsville, IL for weather alerts.
2004 was out 25 years of service to the area, in that time we had 1493 calls which averaged 59.72 calls per year. In November we received a Fire Grant from the USFA for $142,431.00 for a new Pumper of which we only had to come up with 10% of this, $14,431.00. We purchased a Rosenbauer Pumper for $142,778.00. Which e put into service on July 23,2005. In 2005 we got three vehicles from the Missouri Department of Conservation, which were used to replace our rescue unit 4475, and our Gamma Goat 4480, the third one was set up for a lighting vehicle/air unit. 2006 was the first year we started selling fire tags. we also received a FEMA grant for medical and fire suppression equipment worth $33,660.00.
2007 was the year we bought a 1985 Grumman Duplex Pumper. It had a 7 man cab, 1250 GPM Pump and carried 600 gal of water. It was struck by a drunk driver while we were responding to assist Lake Timberline for a structure fire on Dec. 1 2007. It was totaled in the wreck and three firefighters went to the hospital. 1 spend 3 days in the hospital and the other 2 were released the following day. 2008. brought change this year. A new chief was voted in. we bought a 1983/2001 simon duplex pumper that carries 5 people , has a 1250 gmp pump and carries 750 gallons of water. we also received a 1991 gmc brush truck with a 250 gallon tank. 2010. This year started off with a bang. we received a fire grant for $168,000 to purchase a new 3000 gallon tanker. we received and put into service a 2010 peterbilt truck on july 12, 2010. a 3000 gal tanker with a 500 gpm pump. we received donation from the people of goose creek lake for our 5% share of $8,444.00. on oct. 17 2010 while responding to a mutual aid call to assist big river fire, 4471 was involved in a vehicle accident. it rolled on its top and both firefighters were slightly injured. the vehicle was sent to the manufacturer for repair. the truck was returned after repairs in jan. 2011 and put in service. we are sending 9 personnel to the (emergency medical responder), course starting feb. for 20 weeks. also 3 are going to driver and pump operator course for 16 weeks. a change of officer came in june with a new captain and the lt. changed. call volume went way up. 172 with 100 being medical calls and the rest structure fires, brush vehicle, and more mutual aid in ST. Francois and ST. Genevieve counties. 2012 we raised our fire tags for the first time since we began in 2006. we did not get the FEMA grant for this year. we also purchased a new rescue truck in feb. a 1996 chevy 4x4 dual wheel ambulance. with a turbo-charged diesel engine and allison transmission it should be around for a long time. we elected a new chief this year because chief Bill Corley stepped down and Bob Reeves is now the new chief. Bob reeves passed away in Sept of 2020. Brian Friese took over as chief sept 2020. in 2022 the fire tags changed price . $40.00 per any living quarters. $25.00 for all other lots
