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 were 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 expenses 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.