Harlem-Roscoe Fire Chiefs

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History of Harlem-Roscoe Fire

In the Village of Roscoe there is evidence of a fire brigade as early as 1912, possibly consisting of a few buckets and a ladder put into service by anyone on the scene. By the 1930’s some local residents banded together, converting a hay wagon into a water pumper. This was accomplished by installing a tank, Mercury motor, and a pump on the wagon with the hose and leather straps on the tongue. The leather straps would attach the fire wagon to the first arriving automobile, so it could be pulled to the scene. This first fire vehicle was probably kept in a fireman’s garage.

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District was incorporated on April 4, 1940. This brought about by the need to purchase a good piece of fire apparatus. Harlem Township residents joined Roscoe Township residents to make this possible, creating the name “Harlem-Roscoe”, providing fire protection for both communities and raising enough money for a real fire truck. Harlem-Roscoe Fire’s first fire station was purchased around 1945, with an addition built in 1959.

1930's First Water Pumper!

1950's

1940?

late 60's

1966 Rescue unit

1973 - Rescue Squad

1960

August 1964 - Firefighters wore high boots with long rubber coats.

1971 - 1st Place Competition in Firefighting Play Day at Cherry Valley Fire. Front row l-r, Fred Tuttle, Dick Mackenthun, Oscar Presley, & Dick Lyford. Back row l-r, Terry Pitkus, Herold Richards, Chamberlain, & Don Paris.

1983 - Ist medical call on a stand alone white box.

2005 L-r, Retired Fire Chief Ben Alexander,

then Chief Oscar Presley, and retired Chief Jack Brown