Department history
It was in the year 1893 after the water system was completed, that Fulton, Kentucky organized its first Fire Department, with I.R Nolen as the first fire chief. The fire chief in those days was paid $5 per call and firefighters were paid $2 a call. From the beginning of 1893, with the hand drawn reel, to the turn of the century with the horse drawn reel, Fulton’s Fire Departm
ent did extremely well in combating fires with their adequate equipment. Back in those days the department mostly tried to save adjoining buildings rather than to save the burning building itself. It was a big day in Fulton when their first motorized fire apparatus from American La France in 1913 arrived at the price tag of $5,500. It was the only motorized apparatus between Memphis, TN and Cairo, IL at the time. Although some folks thought the price was extravagant, they soon began to see that it was the best kind of apparatus. In 1969 Fulton lost its first firefighter and to date only firefighter in the line of duty. Virgil Craven died at a fire scene due to injuries when a wall collapsed. Under the leadership of Chief Billy Meacham in 1974 the Fire Department began operation of the ambulance service. The first EMT was hired Willie B. In 1976 Kentucky Board of EMS issued the Certificate of Need for the City of Fulton Ambulance service. In 1978 Chief Richard Hartz took the leadership of the Fire Department. During his years of service the EMS subscription service began in 1978 to fund the ambulance service. In 1978 the Fire Department responded to 75 fire calls and 753 ambulance calls. During this time the first “Jaws of Life” was purchased. In 1981 S.A.V.E. (Save the Ambulance Voluntary Enrollment) committee was formed by citizens to help raise funds for the Ambulance Service. Chief Otto Mock took the Fire Chief’s position in 1985 and during his time the new Parkway Regional Hospital opened on Holiday Lane in 1985 moving from the previous location at the Old Fulton Hospital located on the corner of Carr and Commercial Streets. In 1986 Chief Otto Mock organized a HAZMAT response unit using an old ambulance to transport equipment and personnel. Funding from the city and the county provided very basic equipment for the unit. However two totally encapsulating butyl rubber entry suits were obtained from the US Coast Guard and were used on several occasions. The HAZMAT unit was abolished due to the high cost of equipment and a lack of funding. In 1987 the Seagraves Ladder Truck was placed in service, large diameter supply line was placed on all apparatus. The department got its first “Stinger” deluge gun in 1987 and it was mounted on the tail board of the truck due to not having enough money to mount it on the top of the truck. The membership in 1987 was 27 members of which 10 were full time. Jackson Purchase
