Henry Volunteer Fire Department was formed after the late summer fire of 1905, which burned the Bruns Hotel the carriage and Smith's workshop and nearby buildings and threatened the entire town. A better water supply was made available to the village in 1909 with a water tower. A 1917 Model T truck was bought in 1924. This truck was overhauled in 1970 and is driven in parades. The next truck purc
hased was a 1937 Reo-Speedwagon. This truck is also still in the fire house and driven in parades. In the 1940's, equipment for the trucks and men was provided by Granville Township and the people of St. An additional truck was bought in 1950. The firehouse was built and dedicated in August 1958. A Rural Firemen's' Association was formed in 1960. A grass fire truck was constructed in 1970. the Fire Department Auxiliary was formed in 1969 and their duty is to take lunch to the firemen when fighting big fires. In 1978 the department bought foam fighting equipment. In 1982, a pager alert system replaced the blowing of the siren. In March of 1984, a fund drive was initiated with an Arson Association training program was formed. In the fall of 1984, a goal of $25,000 for the purpose of updating equipment to comply with state code to keep fire insurance rates down for property owners. A new grass fire truck was purchased in March of 1986 also with the help of the fund drive for a price of $18,000. The old equipment from the previous grass truck was installed on the new truck. In 1990 a tax levy was introduced by the fire fighters to better protect the community and rural farm operations in Granville Township. The levy was passed by a sizable margin. After the levy was passed the Rural Firemen' Association was no longer needed to raise funds so it was dissolved. With the passage of this levy in 1990 the department was able to buy Brun's Distributing(Pepsi) building and relocate at 550 East Kremer-Hoying Road. With co-operation of the membership the building was turned into an effective fire house with room to expand in the future. On August 30, 1991 dedication was held with St. Henry American Legion Color Guard rising the Colors. Henry "Marching Redskins" band played a few numbers in attendance were State Fire Marshall James Harting , State Fire Inspector "Punk" Zweble. In 1991 a 1991 International truck was bought to replace the 1970 Ford 2-man cab tanker-pumper. This truck has a five man cab enabling 3 fire fighters to put on breathing gear in route to the scene. In 1997, a 1991 Kenworth oil recovery truck was purchased. With the men working late nights the department was able to put into service a 3800 gallon water tanker with a 12" tri-dump in the rear compartments built over the rear wheels to hold a folding water tank on each side. In 1998, the department was able to purchase 1100' of 5" water supply hose to help with the fire in rural areas. In 2002, the department bought a 2002 Ford F-350 to use as a grass truck. This truck has a 200 gallon per minute pump, a 250 gallon tank, and this unit also carries our air bags and rescue equipment. Also in 2002, the department bought an American LaFrance Pumper. This appurantus has a 2000 gallon per minute pump, 750 gallon tank, and 1500 feet of 5 inch supply hose.
