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The Beginning
In November 1964 a group of residents in the Mountain Home –
Grimesdale sections met to discuss the need for fire
protection in that district. As a result, registrations and
voting were held in January 1965 which revealed that 99.2%
of those registered favored the establishment of the
Mountain Home Volunteer Fire Department. A tanker truck was
bought for $150 for repairs and modification, the truck was
placed in service and soon started the fire-fighting job in
the Mountain Home Fire District.
The status of funds at the time dictated very slow progress
in developing the Fire Department, and only those purchases
which were absolutely necessary to give the fire-fighting
personnel the tools they needed were made.
Organization of a very active Ladies Auxiliary meant an
increase in the money being received – much of it raised
through rummage sales, hat sales, bake sales and similar
fund-raising programs. Protective clothing and devices were
bought by the Ladies Auxiliary, as were many items which, in
the opinion of the Board of Directors, could not be bought
with taxpayers’ money. Those included furniture and
furnishings, some appliances and items of that sort.
Meanwhile, the newly created Volunteer Fire Department was
gaining in experience, personnel and, to some extent,
finances. A tract of land was purchased in anticipation of
the day on which it would be occupied by a modern fire
station.
The Ladies Auxiliary, ever alert to fund-raising
opportunities, continued building up their assets; and the
Mountain Home Volunteer Fire Department Corporation
continued to be extremely careful with the precious dollars
being received from tax income.
In January 1967, the Mountain Home Volunteer Fire Department
Corporation’s financial statement was presented to a local
bank along with a loan application in the amount of $55,000
with 6% interest payable over a period of 10 years. The
bank favorably considered the application and action was
taken in consultation with and advice from County officials
to order a modern fire-fighting pumper. Also, in
consultation with bank officers, plans and specifications
were developed covering the construction of the Fire
Station. Meanwhile, advantage was taken of an opportunity
to buy a 4-wheel drive vehicle suitable for conversion to a
brush–fire wagon, and the purchase was made from the Federal
Property Agency through our local Civil Defense office. It
is well to emphasize that the Ladies Auxiliary of the
Department bought this vehicle and bore all expense for its
repairs and modification.
On November 22, 1967, the Department’s pumper was delivered
and the final work was being completed on the Fire Station.
Dedication ceremonies were held at 7:30 p.m. on December 5,
1967, and all residents in the Mountain Home Fire District
were invited to come and visit their Fire Station. The
Firemen were so proud to show off and explain their new
equipment.
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