[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7855]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       GERMANTOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 16, 2017

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 125th 
Anniversary of the Germantown Fire Department.
  The Germantown Fire Department was chartered on May 2, 1892. The 
first complement of members included 18 volunteer firefighters, and the 
first apparatus was a hand operated pump--which had to be loaded onto a 
horse-drawn wagon, so the first roster of members included one horse. 
The first motorized apparatus was a 1919 Ford Model-T truck, which is 
now a part of the collection of the Hall of Flame Museum in Phoenix, 
Arizona.
  In its first days the department depended entirely on donations. The 
first apparatus and equipment were all donated and through the years 
the members held all sorts of fundraisers. In the 1930s and 1940s 
weekly ``platform dances'' were held to raise funds. This allowed the 
department to purchase a 1941 pumper truck, which was in use until 
1988. The antique truck was sold, but later repurchased by department 
members.
  In the early 1950s members raised funds to help build a new fire 
station, purchase a 1953-model pumper truck, and purchase the first 
fire department radio system in the county. In those days a normal year 
would include ten calls, and during one period the department went 18 
months without a call. In 1952 the Germantown Rural Fire Protection 
District, a taxing district, was formed to provide a stable funding 
source for the department; however, donations remain a significant part 
of department finances.
  In 1986, the Department began providing First Responder emergency 
medical services to the community. The Department also implemented the 
first fire department-based Automated External Defibrillator (AED) 
program in the region. And in 1989 the Department purchased, with 
donated funds, then only the second rescue tool ``Jaws of Life'' system 
in the county.
  In 2002, the Department formed an Explorer post to expose youth ages 
14 through 21 to the fire and rescue service. Today, 11 former 
Explorers are members of the department.
  Currently, the Germantown Fire Department has 35 members and responds 
to an average of 110 calls per year. Current vehicles include two 
pumpers, one pumper-tanker, one brush truck, one rescue vehicle, and 
one support SUV.
  The Germantown Fire Department has planned a grand celebration in 
recognition of its anniversary. This celebration will begin on June 
10th and last into the night. The celebration will include great food 
and an assortment of fun and educational activities.
  I stand today to salute the Germantown Fire Department on its 125th 
Anniversary and to wish it the very best in the future.

                          ____________________