Village of Covington Ohio

One of Ohio's Finest Villages

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History: Covington Fire Department

fire dept. photos 045

In 1953, Ralph and James Boggs compiled and published a complete history of the Village of Covington, which their family has generously agreed to share with the community on this website. Below is the introduction of their research.

In 1880, the Council of Covington, Ohio purchased the first fire engine and the Fire Department was organized January 3, 1 881. D. C. Shellabarger was named chief and G. W. Speelman, chief engineer.

In 1895 a second fire truck was added; 1896 a hook-and-ladder; in 1917 it motorized with a Model-T fire truck; 1927 a triple-combination fire truck; in 1936 a fire truck equipped with water tanks, 200 rotary and 500-gallon centrifugal pump. In 1946 the Fire Department itself added a high pressure fire truck, in 1951 an emergency truck and (ate in 1952 the Council added a new fire truck, 300-gallon booster tank, ladders and other equipment.

Past Fire Chiefs were D. S. Shellabarger (1881-1882), N. Raplyea (1882-1886), George Dreese (1886-1890), G. W. Butt (1890-1892), D. M. Lower (1892-1895), William Dreese (1895-1897), C. G. Kraus (1897-1898), W. E. Westfall (1899-1902), J. V. Metzger (1902- 1908), J. B. Neth (1908-1946) and Roger O’Donnell, appointed March 6, 1946.

At the present time the village ond township are being served with three fire trucks and the emergency truck, 1500 feet of 1 i inch hose, 2500 feet of 2i inch hose, two auxiliary pumps, recussitator and many other modern pieces of fire apparatus. In 1953 the department expects to add a new four-stall fire house to the department. All members of the department have completed the Kent State University Training Course. The department consists of 27 members and the chief.

The Covington Volunteer Fire Department is operated strictly by funds from taxation, the sum decided by the city council annually according to the anticipated needs of the coming year. Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month in which the members are paid the sum of fifty cents per meeting. Members also receive one dollar per alarm call within the city. To become a member an application for membership is filed with the secretary of the department, which must be approved by the city council, and if so he is then a member of the Covington Volunteer Fire Department and is compelled to abide? by the by-laws of the department. If he misses two of three consecutive meetings without good reason he is subject to dismissal. The members of this department are protected by workers compensation paid by the city council. The equipment of the department cannot be used outside the corporate limits of the city.

The Covington Special Fire Department Inc. was organized in 1937 and incorporated under the corporate laws of the State of Ohio, to serve the rural areas surrounding Covington. No city or taxation funds are used for this department as they operate entirely on rural subscriptions which at present are three dollars per year. This department is controlled by a board of trustees whose officers are: Roger C. O’Donnell, president; Carl Miller, vice president; Jesse O’Roark, secretary; and J. L. O’Roark treasurer and are in no way ruled by the city council. Members of this department must be members of the Volunteer Department and are protected by insurance purchased by the Special Department. The operating radius is approximately ten miles in all directions from Covington. This department purchases and maintains all rural equipment (the emergency truck and liability insurance on the men and equipment). Any other revenue made by the departments is added to the general fund for the use of either department.

Below is a photo gallery consisting of historic images of the Covington Fire Department.
(Click on the thumbnails to enlarge)

Covington Fire Department in the 1970s. Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Covington Fire Department in the 1970s. Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Covington Fire Department in the 1930s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Covington Fire Department in the 1930s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Covington Fire Department in the 1970s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Covington Fire Department in the 1970s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Covington Fire Department in the late 1960s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Covington Fire Department in the late 1960s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

The Covington Fire Department fights a fire TV repair business of High Street.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

The Covington Fire Department fights a fire TV repair business of High Street.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

A Christmas Party at the late 1950s. Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

A Christmas Party at the late 1950s. Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

The Spyt-Fyres, the ladies auxiliary to the Fire Department, in the 1960s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

The Spyt-Fyres, the ladies auxiliary to the Fire Department, in the 1960s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Covington Fire Department in the 1960s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Covington Fire Department in the 1960s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

The Covington Fire Department burns the mortgage to the fire station in the late 1960s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

The Covington Fire Department burns the mortgage to the fire station in the late 1960s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

A Christmas Party in the 1940s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

A Christmas Party in the 1940s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Covington Fire Department in the mid-1940s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Covington Fire Department in the mid-1940s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

A Parade in Downtown Covington in the 1940s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

A Parade in Downtown Covington in the 1940s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Covington Fire Department in the early 1940s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Covington Fire Department in the early 1940s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Covington Fire Department in the 1950s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Covington Fire Department in the 1950s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

The first Rescue Vehicle of the Covington Fire Department in the mid-1950s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

The first Rescue Vehicle of the Covington Fire Department in the mid-1950s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Covington Fire Department in the 1970s. This was the first high pressured truck. Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Covington Fire Department in the 1970s. This was the first high pressured truck. Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

A 1934 Biederman Fire Truck. Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

A 1934 Biederman Fire Truck. Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

A 1939 Chevy Fire Truck. Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

A 1939 Chevy Fire Truck. Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

The purchase of  Rescue Vehicle in the 1960s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

The purchase of  Rescue Vehicle in the 1960s.Photo provided by Jim O'Donnell

Photo provided by Mike Ullery - Fire Fighters Matt McCord, Kyle Boehringer, Greg Vandegrift and Bart Weer after responding to a house fire on September 24, 2010.

Photo provided by Mike Ullery - Fire Fighters Matt McCord, Kyle Boehringer, Greg Vandegrift and Bart Weer after responding to a house fire on September 24, 2010.

Photo provided by Ben Robinson - Fire Fighters Macy and Brandon Studebaker during a mock car crash at Covington High School in on April 23, 2014.

Photo provided by Ben Robinson - Fire Fighters Macy and Brandon Studebaker during a mock car crash at Covington High School in on April 23, 2014.

Photo provided by Mike Ullery - A newly purchased Fire & Recsue Vehicle on April 2, 2016..

Photo provided by Mike Ullery - A newly purchased Fire & Recsue Vehicle on April 2, 2016..

WE NEED YOUR HELP…

If you have historic photos of the Village of Covington and you would like to share them for use on this website, please call us at 937-473-3420.

GOVERNMENT CENTER

VILLAGE OF COVINGTON
1 South High Street,
Covington, Ohio 45318
Phone: 937-473-3420
Fax: 937-473-3853
For Emergencies Call 911
Contact Information

ABOUT COVINGTON

  • About Covington
  • Village Government
  • History of Covington
  • Famous People
  • Village Calendar
  • Location Map
  • Contact Info

HISTORY OF COVINGTON

  • Part 1: The Beginning
  • Part 2: The Mound Builders
  • Part 3: The American Indians
  • Part 4: English Settlers
  • Part 5: Revolutionary War
  • Part 6: The Northwest Territory
  • Part 7: Newberry Township
  • Part 8: First White Settlers
  • Part 9: Early Growth
  • Part 10: Incorporating Covington
  • Part 11: A Series Of Firsts
  • Part 12: 1850 to 1900
  • Part 13: 1900 to 1950
  • History of Covington Schools
  • History: Covington Fire Department
  • History: Covington Police Department

NEWS AND EVENTS

  • The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus Returning to Covington
  • Village Staff Will Be Flushing Hydrants 4/10/18 through 4/16/18
  • The Village of Covington is Seeking Seasonal Maintenance Workers
  • Covington Chamber of Commerce to Sponsor Holiday Decoration Contest
  • Covington sets the date for the annual free Thanksgiving dinner

VILLAGE OF COVINGTON

GOVERNMENT CENTER
1 South High Street
Covington, Ohio 45318
Phone: 937-473-3420
Fax: 937-473-3853

POLICE DEPARTMENT
1 South High Street
Covington, Ohio 45318
Emergency Phone: 911
Office Phone: 937-473-2102
Office Fax: 937-473-3853



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