Bradshaw Rural Fire Department est. 1908

On Jan. 3, 1908 the Bradshaw Fire Department was organized by the following members: A.B. Turner, Wm. Sirrs, Edwin Miller, C.E. Trump, C.W. Gardiner, Harry E. Palmer, F.E. Bowers, Claude McCoy, W.H. Mason, J.E. Selover, I. H. Johnson, J. E. Myers, Sam Belcher, T.A. Hatton, R.W. TAylor, J.T. Hampton, D. A. Sandall, C. B. Palmer, Jr., C.D. Coburn and J. B. Goodridge.
According to the 1927 edition of “The Constitution and By-laws of the Bradshaw Fire Department,” “The Department consisted of two hose companies which were consolidated a short time after organization.”
Records dating back to July of 1908 indicate a bill of $1 from D.A. Sandall “for feed bill for teams at York July 4th” was allowed.”
In January of 1909 Bradshaw’s year-old unit received an invoice of goods dated Jan. 11, 1909 which indicated the following items in the department’s charge: “One hose cart, two nozzles, six hydrant wrenches, four rubber coats one 20-foot ladder, three lanterns, eight gaskets, six expansion rings, one large flag with staff, 750 feet of cotton double jacketed hose, six spanners, two hose and ladder straps, one 16-foot ladder, 2 14-foot pike poles, one male coupling, two female couplings, one Bradshaw Fire Department Banner and one bunch of small flags.”
The inventory was a far cry from the Bradshaw Rural Fire Department of today which includes a Toyne Engine, an Amtech Rescue Truck, mini-pumper and a Danko Tanker.
Early in 1909 the fledgling department lobbied the community for a suitable meeting place. The following petition was circulated among members of the department and later citizens of Bradshaw. The document read, “We the undersigned agree to pay the sum set opposite our name for the purpose of erecting a building on lot No. 20, block No. 7 village of Bradshaw, said building to be used by the ‘Bradshaw Fire Department’ and to become the property of the village of Bradshaw. It is agreed and understood by subscribers hereto, that said department is to issue their certificates to said subscribers for the amount set opposite their names. It is further understood and agreed that said certificates are to be surrendered to said department at their option upon the payment thereof. It is further understood and agreed that this subscription is due and payable on the demand of the building committee of the Bradshaw Fire Department.”
The petition was signed and pledges made by more than 50 members of the community donated $5 or $10 and the Fire Station was built. Although the building no longer stands, it was located immediately south of Bradshaw’s Old Town Hall on Lincoln Street two doors down from the current building.
Tonight, Friday, July 25 at 8 p.m. alumni of the Bradshaw Fire Department will gather for a reunion. Bradshaw Fire Chief Todd Hellerich says, “We want to bring past and present members together to reminisce. It will be fun for the younger guys to hear how things were 50 or 60 years ago.”
Each person who has served on the Bradshaw Department will receive a commemorative blue hat on the front of which is embroidered “Bradshaw Fire Department.” The back of the hat boasts 100 years.
Today, Bradshaw’s Fire Department is made up of 20 hard working individuals. Hellerich states, “We are very fortunate to have such good numbers. We have had many dedicated members over the years.”
Hellerich has been fire chief in Bradshaw since 2000. He admits, as chief he faces challenges, “But when you have great firefighters like we have here” it helps a lot. The Fire Chief appreciates his crew’s pitching in to do whatever is needed. “They impress me with their willingness to train and do what is best for the village and our customers. People expect a certain level of service when they dial 911 regardless of who answers the call.”
Thanks to commitment and work ethic individual members have been certified in fire, EMS, rescue, hazmat and severe weather, all of which require special training.
Hellerich hopes to see Bradshaw firefighting alums like Dave Rasmussen, Dale Ratzlaff, Fred Collingham and Dennis Kliewer at the reunion. He says everyone who ever served on the department was invited attend.
On Saturday, during Bradshaw Days, firefighters will be grilling up thier famous “Fire Department Hamburgers.” They will also be giving kids of all ages rides around town on an old 1948 Howe pumper truck. The 2008 celebration has been dedicated to the Fire Department as it passes the century mark.