Membership

The Pershing Township Volunteer Fire Department is composed of unpaid volunteers from the local area.  Firefighters are required to be certified by the state, and this is achieved through training provided by the Jackson Country Fire Academy, organized by all county fire departments.  The department has several certified Emergency Medical Technicians and all firefighters are trained in First Aid.

History

(ca. 1988) Pershing Township Volunteer Fire Department was first organized in 1959.  Before the department was organized, the community used what was called a bucket brigade.  When a church bell was rung everyone looked for smoke, grabbed a bucket of water and ran to it. Thankfully, we have come a long way. 

Open house for the new fire station was scheduled for May 9, 1960.  The cost was approximately $1,200.00 which was donated by neighboring businessmen to build a 42' by 28' building made of concrete blocks, with overhead doors.  There has been three additions to this building to date.

The department first used a system called a phone tree.  One person would receive the fire report, he would call another firefighter, then that firefighter would call another and so on.  So the response time was not the greatest.  Then in 1972 they went to a phone system.  One number would ring all firefighters.  Then in 1982 the monitor system came into effect.  It is dispatched from the Sheriff's office to a monitor each firefighter has. 

All firefighters are now required to be certified by the state.  Firefighters acquire this through the Fire Academy organized by all Jackson County departments.  This department has six certified Emergency Medical Technicians and all firefighters are trained in First Aid.  This has been a big plus for the community.

The department started out with two 1944 6 by 6 G.M.C. pumpers purchased from Camp Atterbury for $150.00.  We now have a 1977 Chevy tanker/pumper that holds 1500 gallons of water.  A 1978 G.M.C. minipumper that holds all the medical equipment.  A 1967 Kaiser jeep, a 1952 jeep, and a 1955 jeep that are all used for brush fires.  A 1956 International pumper/tanker, and a 1949 Ford pumper.