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Department History
Ohio Town Report 1935 Ohio Town Report 1940 Ohio Town Report 1953 Ohio Town Report 1957
The Green Springs Rural Volunteer Fire Department was founded, around May 25th, 1878, under the name of Washington Fire Co. of Green Springs, with its first officers being George M. Earhart, foreman; Perry Strong, first asst. foreman; Warren Hahn, second asst. foreman; Jas. P. Turner, secretary; H.W. Church, treasurer; and John Robinson, pipeman. In the early years of the dept., a bell atop the town hall served as the alarm. In 1933 or 1934 a small siren was erected. In 1951, the current siren was installed. Sirens were installed for quicker response from the depts. members. Eventually most of the firemen had fire phones in their homes to alert when help was needed. The dept. now is dispatched by either Sandusky County, Seneca County, or the The City of Clyde, Police Dept., via paging systems. In October, 1946, the company was incorperated and the name was changed to Green Springs Rural Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., and that remains the name to this date. The department is actually owned by it's members, and elected from those members are a president, vice-president, secretary/treasurer, and six trustees. Also elected from the members are a chief, an asst. chief, captain, two station one lieutenants, two station two lieutenants, a chaplain, and a reporter. Currently the department has 39 active members. The department was originally housed in the lower portion of the town hall on South Broadway. That building became the fire station after the town hall was moved, and the second story was removed from the building. It remained there until around 1981, when it moved to the new municipal building on Catherine St. where it is currently housed. A second station was added, in Adams Twp., in 1992, and currently houses two trucks. Of the departments 35 members, 11 currently run out of this station. Recently, in 1996, the department celebrated its 50th anniversary since incorporation, and 1998 marked the 120th year since the department started as Washington Fire Company of Green Springs. The department has fought numerous large fires, the first being on Thursday, October 15th, 1908, when a large fire took it's toll. (the following is an account of that fire, taken from the Green Springs, Oh. Centennial Book) " With people going about their daily business and the local children in school, there came a clang, clang of the fire bell. School was dismissed early and from then on a nightmare began. The fire originated at the rear of the P.T. Perin building from burning rubbish. To one side sat several wooden oil barrels which had leaked oil on the ground around them; hot embers from the rubbish fire ignited and started the blaze. Fate was against the townspeople that day for it was exceedingly dry and very strong winds whipped through the small village. With the wind blowing at such force, many buildings were on fire before the fire department could get the equipment in use and, because of rotted water hose. firemen were delayed even longer. Help was called and Tiffin sent a pumper down on a flat car to Green Springs and a call went out to Clyde for help also. To give everyone an idea of the location of the fire, it began between what is now Harris Sons' Hardware Store and the Laundromat. Total number of buildings burned was three residences, four business rooms, two livery stables and with other buildings, making 17 buildings in all, not counting small outbuildings and sheds. To further depict the picture, imagine flames shooting from windows, doors and roof tops, homes on Adams street on fire, burning to the ground, and as far back as Leonard Street the wind whipped the ugly snarls of flames to start grass fires and some outbuildings ablaze. Main Street was deluged with contents of businesses and homes and to add to everyone's misery, thieves stole many items. This was a day of pain and misery to everyone who lived in Green Springs, but when trouble strikes, people bounce back and many businesses were relocated and opened for business shortly after. Rebuilding was planned and started and Green Springs was on the mend. "-----end The most recent large fire in the village was when the O & M Seed Co. burnt to the ground in the summer of 1982. The fire, which was reported in the early morning hours, was believed to be started by lightening which had hit the building during a storm the night before. The towns water tower was depleted of its water in short order and the call went out to surrounding communities for mutual aid for water, manpower and equipment. Water was pumped uphill to the scene from a pond, a quarter of a mile away, on the southwest side of the village. With the blessing of almost no wind, two neighboring businesses and several residences were saved with minor radiated heat damage. When all was said and done the 4-5 acre pond had been lowered 4-5 inches and at least six neighboring departments had helped in the effort. kjh
The Following information was taken from the “Ohio
Town Report T.B. Sellers, Manager COMPLETE REPORT (Superseding Previous Reports) GENERAL SUMMARY WATER SUPPLY: From Single drilled well, limited to about 100 g.p.m.; pumping equipment electrically driven and consists of one low-lift unit, having a capacity of about 100 g.p.m., taking suction from well and discharging through aerator to a 96,000 gallon low-storage reservoir, and one high-duty unit having a capacity of about 350 g.p.m., taking suction from low-storage reservoir and discharging into system; 75,000 gallon elevated tank, well located; distribution system generally fairly good, fire flows good, hydrant spacing fair; pressures vary from 50 to 55 lbs. throughout most of the community. FIRE DEPARTMENT: Ten call men, including chief; motorized apparatus consists of two chemical trucks, one of which carries about 950’ of hose. FIRE ALARM: Electric siren. Protection as a whole considered fair for a community of this size. TOWN IN GENERAL Population about 750 in 1930, showing about 10% decrease during the past decade. The town is principally an agricultural trading center, but is also noted for its mineral water resorts, sanitariums and hotels. The principal streets are paved and of good width, and others are generally passable for fire apparatus throughout the year. There are several railroad grade crossings in outlying residential and manufacturing districts. The surface is nearly level. The congested value district is rather small, covering parts of three blocks, none of which is solidly built upon. About 30% of the built-on area is covered bt frame construction, the remainder being ordinary brick joisted; maximum height of buildings two stories with a general average of one and two. Buildings are generally of ordinary type construction with few standard brick party walls, parapets deficient or entirely lacking and with little or no protection foe exposed openings. Combustible roof coverings are rarely used in the community. The district is moderately exposed by a rather large frame grain elevator. According to fire department records, losses for a number of years past are as follows:
YEAR
Number
of Runs
Loss Based on the above figures and an average population of 800, the annual per capita loss for the period covered is $1.64. FIRE FIGHTING FACILITIES WATER SUPPLY The system is municipally owned and was installed in 1927. Mr. R. E. Houdenshield is superintendent and is the only regular employee of the system. In case of fire he reports to the pumping station. Records are only fairly well kept, but there is a complete map of the system on file with the superintendent. The average consumption is estimated to be about 50,000 g.p.d. and the maximum probably 50% in excess of this figure. There are about 115 consumers, all of which are metered. Service connections are all copper. The largest consumer is the kraut factory, using an average of about 17,000 g.p.d. when operating. A combined gravity and direct pressure system. Water from one drilled well is discharged by a deep well pump through an aerator into a 96,000 gallon concrete low-storage reservoir 40’ X 40’ X 8’ deep and covered with a wood roof, from which it is forced directly into the system by a 350 g.p.m. high-duty pump, the excess going to a 75,000 gallon elevated tank. The single drilled well is located beneath the pumping station, has 12” casing and is about 160’ deep. On test this well showed a capacity of 107 g.p.m. for 72 consecutive hours and is believed to have approximately this same capacity at present. Static water level is about 21’ below the surface, lowering to about 28’ when pumping, and was apparently little affected by extreme dry weather conditions of the past year. Pumping station is a small unexposed one story hollow concrete block building located in the southwest part of the community and having composition covered wood roof, concrete floor, stove heat, electric lights with wiring in conduit, no telephone and no private fire protection. The closest public hydrant is about 500’ distant. Station is not subject to inundation. There is no one regularly on duty at the station. The low-duty pump is situated over the well and is a double-acting A.D. Cook unit having a rated capacity of 100g.p.m. and driven by a 5 h.p. 220 volt motor. The working barrel is about 78’ below the surface. Pump discharges through a 4” line against a head of about 15’ to aerator. The pump operates automatically, starting when the low-storage reservoir iabout 1’ from full. The high-duty pump is a Cameron single-state centrifugal, having a rated capacity of 350 g.p.m. against a 150’ head. This pump is driven by a 25 h.p. motor and has 6” suction reducing to 4” with gate valve from the low-storage reservoir and 3” discharge through a 3” meter, thence increasing to 6”, equipped with check and gate valves. The pump usually takes suction under a slight head and discharges against a pressure of about 54 lbs. when the elevated tank is full. Power supply is from the Lake Erie Power & Light Company and comes through a bank of three transformers fed by a single circuit line about five miles long where it joins an inter-connected system. A 75,000 gallon steel tank mounted on a 106.5’ tower is located a short distance northeast of the mercantile district. The over-flow is about 121’ above the average level of the community. The tank has a 36” riser and an 8” connection to the distribution system, equipped with hand operated gate valve. There is an outside target gage which is visible from the pumping station by using a telescope. It is claimed that the water level is kept within 5’ of full at all times. System of Distribution (See accompanying map): The 6” force main from the pumping station connects to the distribution system in the southwest part of the community. The 8” line from the elevated tank is connected to the system near the base of the tank. The mercantile district is supplied by a 6” circulating loop. Practically all of the mains are 6”, and in general are fairly well cross connected, there being, however, several rather long dead ends in outlying sections. Mains are of Class B cast iron pipe and were laid with about 4’ of cover. Total amount of pipe in the system is classified as follows:
Size
in Inches
Length
in Feet
Per
Cent There are 37 Vogt Bros. hydrants, all of which are equipped with a 3 ˝” pumper connection in addition to two 2 ˝” outlets. All hydrants have 6” connections to mains and risers, even where on 4” lines, but are not equipped with watch valves. Spacing generally satisfactory. Drain holes have been plugged and hydrants are pumped out to prevent freezing. They are flushed and inspected several times during the summer. It is claimed that all valves are inspected twice annually but there is no record of their exact location. All valves are located in iron boxes to grade, and it is claimed that all operate in the same direction. Spacing considered good throughout the community. Pressures throughout most of the community vary between 50 and 55 lbs. with the elevated tank full, and are not raised at times of fire. Several flow tests were conducted at the time of this inspection with the elevated tank well filled and the high-duty pump operating, with the following results: At the corner of Broadway and Adams Streets with a static pressure of 52 lbs., flows of 1010 and 1520 g.p.m. wereobtained at residual pressures of 46 and 41 lbs. respectively; at the corner of Broadway and Cemetery with a static pressure of 53 lbs. a delivery of 1040 g.p.m. was obtained at a residual pressure of 45 lbs..; also at the north end of Broadway with a static pressure of 55 lbs. a delivery of 560 g.p.m. was obtained at a residual pressure of 19 lbs. FIRE DEPARTMENT Organization consists of ten men, including chief and assistant chief. Mr. Charles H. Gale has been chirf fot the past 26 years and receives $80 per year for his services. All other members of the department receive $1 for the first hour and $.50 for each hour thereafter for fire services. Drills are held occasionally, but there are no building inspections by members of the department. The principal piece of apparatus is a 1929 Chevrolet 1 ˝ ton truck carrying two 35 gallon chemical tanks, two recharges, 100’ of 1” chemical hose, 950’ of 2 ˝” c.r.l. hose, one 2 ˝ gallon foam and one 2 ˝ gallon soda acid extinguishers, one shutoff nozzle, one flexible play pipe, 14’ roof and 24’ extension ladders and many appliances. There is also a 4 cylinder Reo truck purchased about 1921 and carrying 4 four 35 gallon chemical tanks, 200’ of chemical hose, or two reels, 6 extra charges, one 2 ˝ gallon foam and one 2 ˝ gallon soda acid extinguishers, 12’ roof and 20’ extension ladders and a small amount of minor equipment. In addition two old play pipes for 2” hose, five pike poles, a rope and 11’, 12’, and 20’ extension ladders are kept at the station. The Reo truck is owned jointly by the town and the surrounding community and responds to both town and country fires. Apparatus is housed in a room of the town hall, a two story moderately exposed brick building located in the mercantile district and having metal covered wood roof, wood floor, stove heat, electric lights, telephone and double swinging doors openings on to a paved street. Railroad crossings at grade hinder movement of apparatus to the south and east portions of the community. Hose totals about 950’ of 2 ˝” c.r.l., the newest 200’ of which was purchased in 1929. There is no regular inspection of hose, but a rack is provided for drying purposes.
Outside aid
could probably be obtained from FIRE ALARM A double end electric siren is mounted on the fire station and controlled either from the telephone exchange or the town hall. The siren is tested daily, but there is no method of designating the exact location of the fire. Police force consists of a day marshal an a night watchman, the latter employed jointly by the town and the local merchants. ORDINANCES Fire limits have been established as indicated on the accompanying map and which include only a part of the congested value district. Within the fire limits the erection of frame buildings is prohibited, but apparently brick veneered and ironclad construction is allowed. No explosive are permitted within the corporate limits. Fire works are allowed by permission of the mayor only. RECOMMENDATIONS WATER SUPPLY: 1. Pumping equipment should be in duplicate with more than one source of power supply. 2. Elevated storage should ultimately be increased to not less than 100,000 gallon capacity. 3. Records of the system should be kept up to date. 4. Suitable first aid fire protection should be provided at the pumping station to consists of at least one 2 ˝ gallon soda acid and one 1 quart carbon tetrachloride extinguisher. FIRE DEPARTMENT: 5. Members of the department should be required to drill regularly and to participate in frequent building inspections. 6. At least 1200 ft/ of good serviceable 2 ˝” c.r.l. hose should be kept on hand at all times, and it should be regularly tested. 7. A suitable piece of fire department equipment should be provided carrying a pump of not less than 500 g.p.m., a large clear water booster tank,1 ˝” and 2 ˝” hose, ladders, etc. 8. At least two standard salvage covers should be provided. FIRE ALARM: 9. The siren should be so sounded as to indicate the exact location of the fire. ORDINANCES: 10. Adopt “National Board Building Code as Suggested For Small Municipalities”, also other ordinances regulating fire hazards. Copies sent upon request. NOTE: An Engineering Department is maintained by this Bureau, the services of which are rendered without cost to those municipalities desirous of bettering their fire fighting facilities. It is suggested, before carrying out any of the above recommendations or any other changes of note, that this Department be consulted. DL
E.H.
Markel, Engineer |
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