In June 1956, the Protection District became a reality as the building was completed and the District took possession of a 1956 International Pumper and a 1952, 750 gallon Ford Tanker and purchased for $1.00 the 1946 Chevrolet Pumper that belonged to the Old Heyworth Fire Department.

 

     The Fire Department is an organization of its own, separated from the Protection District, and was founded in July 1957.  It has one money making project each year, which is the Pancake and Sausage Day held in February each year.  Money received from this project is used for the scholarship fund, Halloween parade, helping to sponsor Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and for giving to local community drives.

 

     The old Department only protected the buildings within the Heyworth City Limits, and trucks could not go outside of the boundary.  Many times men drove their own vehicles to rural fires to help without the use of trucks or equipment.  When the new Department was formed, the boundary was changed to include all of Randolph Township, parts of Downs Township, and some area of DeWitt County.  Many rural firemen joined the Department at this time.

 

     As the years passed, new trucks and equipment had to be purchased.  In 1965, a new 1,000 gallon Chevrolet Tanker was purchased.  In 1973, a new Ford Pumper with high pressure and volume capability was purchased to replace the 1946 Chevrolet Pumpter.  Don Powell auctioned off the 1946 Pumper which brought $1,000.00.  A new GMC Tanker was purchased in 1978, with a 1,500 gallon tank and a 500 gallon per minute pump, to replace the 1952 Ford Tanker, which was auctioned off by Jim Donovan and brought $500.00.  Two-way radios were added in 1967 which have aided greatly in fire runs.

 

     In 1979, two new Scott air packs were bought, partly with contributions from local citizents and memorials donated to the Department.

 

     Since the forming of the Department, 103 men have served, giving much of their time to training and fighting fires.   There were 50 charter membes when the District was formed. 

     The first trustees were Al Geske

                                      Bert Lott

                                      Dean Ryburn

 

     Past trustees have been: Wally Kuker

                                          Jim Spaid

                                          Gene Briggs

                                          George Conner

                                          Marshall Davis                              

     The Department is goverened by three trustees who levy the taxes and oversee the general purchase of equipment and operation of the Department.  Those serving now are:

                Jim Murphy

                Joe Necessary

                Vernon Terrell

 

     Two other men from the community have served.  Al Geske, the first Trustee President, and Burt Lott, the first Trustee Treasurer.  The Department has only had four Chiefs since organizing in 1956; Dave Maris, who was Chief for the old Department, who served term from 1956-1957; former Chief Bill Kummer served from 1957-1965; former Chief Roland Miller served from 1965-1979; Chief Dennis Powell serves presently. 

 

Randolph Township Fire Protection District

Charter Members - 1956

 

Kenny Ammerman – Firefighter 1956-1964

Paul Fredrich – Firefighter 1956 – 1975

John Lee – Firefighter 1956-1981

Don Rust – Trustee 1956-1998

Luther Armstrong – Firefighter  1956-1956

Al Geske – Trustee 1956-1963

Burt Lott – Trustee 1956-1972

Dean Ryburn – Turstee 1956-1985

John Coomer, Jr. – Firefighter 1956-1961

Ed Geske – Firefighter 1956-1958

Dave Maris – Chief 1956-1977

Merle Shannon – Firefighter – 1956-1985

Robert Coone – Firefighter 1956-1960

Willis Hamlow – Firefighter 1956-1963

Norman Martins – Firefighter 1956-1982

Robert Shannon – Firefighter 1956-1962

Silas Coone – Firefighter 1956-1965

Claude Hancock – Firefighter 1956-1974

Bill Maxwell – Firefighter 1956-1969

Wayne Shoemaker – Firefighter1956-1962

Robert Cotner – Firefighter 1956-1960

Cecil Haycraft – Firefighter 1956-1957

John Maxwell – Firefighter1956-1961

Merle Simpkins – Firefighter 1956-1967

Richard Cundiff – Firefighter 1956-1960

James Hoyt – Firefighter 1956-1957

Wayne Maxwell – Firefighter 1956-1969

Frank Starrling – Firefighter 1956

Gordon McLaren – Captain 1956-1959

Freddie Studeman – Firefighter 1956-1962

Hubert Donavan – Secretary-Treasurer 1956-1963

Wednell Iseminger – Assistant Chief 1956-1969

Marlin (Bud) Miller – Firefighter 1956-1959

Fred Thomas – Firefighter 1956-1956

James Donovan – Firefighter 1956-1973

Roland Miller – Chief 1956-1979

Dale Weaver – Firefighter 1956-1957

Fred Ewert – Firefighter 1956-1957

Bill Kummer – Chief 1956-1957

Loren Kaufman – Firefighter 1956-1959

George Erickson – Firefighter 1956-1959

Evertt Kelly – Firefighter 1956-1958

Keith Milton – Firefighter 1956-1956

George White – Firefighter 1956-1956

Clint Ferguson, Jr. – Captain 1956-1982

Clyde LaFollotte – Firefighter 1956-1957

Bob Orendorff – Firefighter 1956-1957

John Zimmerman – Firefighter 1956-1957

Benny Lausterer – Firefighter – 1956-1972

Louis Peasley – Firefighter 1956-1957