HISTORY
LOGAN FIRE DEPARTMENT

THE EARLY DAYS: 

Firefighter in early uniform

LOGAN CITY FOUNDED IN 1866

1880'S - Established volunteer fire department after the tithing office burned. 26 members initially.

1886 - First pictures of fire station. Bell tower was used to dry the cotton fire hoses.

1895 - New station building at 210 North Main designed for horse drawn apparatus.

1912 - Devastating Thatcher Opera House fire. Many citizens and also the Logan volunteer "fire ladies" worked right along with the firemen to fight the blaze. This fire lead to changes in the Logan Fire Department.

 

 

LCFD in 1890. The Firemen also played in the Logan City Band. Bell tower was used to dry cotton fire hoses.

The first pictures in 1886 of the fire station. Location is west of Main Street, midway between 100 North and the Courthouse Square. Photo courtesy USU Special Collections.

April 17, 1912 DAY OF TRAGEDY - TITANIC IN ATLANTIC & THATCHER OPERA HOUSE IN LOGAN

While the Titanic was sinking in the Atlantic on April 17, 1912, tragedy of another magnitude was occurring on the corner of Main and Center Street.

At 4:15 p.m. that afternoon the fire alarm rang in the Logan fire station. The city's "finest business structure and grandest opera house" was on fire.
The next day the Logan Journal declared that "One of the greatest disasters in the history of Logan occurred yesterday when fire destroyed the Thatcher Bank and Opera House building. The fire reportedly began in the basement of the building which was being used as a store room by the Golden Rule Mercantile early J.C.
Penney Company.

Inside the Beautiful 800 seat Thatcher Opera House. It was thought there would never be a fire in the building because electrical power was installed.

Volunteer firemen as well as numerous townspeople responded to fight the
blaze. The Journal further reported that "when it became apparent that the blaze was likely to get beyond the control of the firemen, a call for help was sent to Ogden and the department there started for Logan." The Ogden crew was cancelled en route, however, with a message that the fire had been contained.

The impressive building was constructed in 1890 with a beautiful 800 seat capacity opera house, not bad for a town with Main Street still a dirt road in 1917. The opening of the building then was delayed a month so that electricity which had just come to Logan might be utilized in the building. When it did open, a writer for the Journal considered the many hose connections in the building an extravagance because "by reason of the use of electricity alone, there is hardly any possibility of fire."

The facility saw not only a variety of local entertainment, but many professional actors and actresses from New York and other eastern cities. Admission varied from 25 cents to $1.00. Admission tickets could also be paid with wheat, corn, potatoes, carrots, a large squash, loaf of bread, butter, wild or domesticated meat, eggs, and even utensils.

Restored fire wagon used to battle the Thatcher Opra House Fire in 1912. Logan City Fireman Sam Swasey and Battalion Chief Thad Call worked on the restoration for over a year. Additional work was done later by Logan City Forester Joe Archer and his son. Reportedly purchased by the city in 1903.

Soon after it was built, a women's suffrage group held a meeting there. In 1906 Logan's early motion pictures were viewed in the building and by 1912 films were shown there on a regular basis. In 1910 a world wrestling championship was held there. The night before the tragic fire, the Agricultural College's Opera Company had entertained a capacity crowd for the "Mikado." The Journal report concluded by saying it was fortunate that the fire did not break out a few hours later as
the building would have been housing a sell out crowd for another performance.

Mayor Hayball extended thanks to the male citizens who waded heroically into the fire. He also praised the Logan volunteer 'fire ladies' who worked like heroes in putting out the fire."

Ambulance crew responds to call in complete uniform including hats.

PURCHASED FIRST FIRE TRUCK.
In 1937 the truck was converted to a 55' ladder truck. After 55 years of service the vehicle was retired from active duty in 1967.

 

 

 

Firefighter Paul Rasmussen chauffeurs Mayor Russ Feldsted in antique fire truck during 1990 Firemen’s Convention parade.	Firefighter Mark Richman and family cruise Logan’s Main Street in the 1924 American LaFrance. Note bell attached to running board.

Thereafter the vehicle was used in parades.


PROFESSIONAL FIRE SERVICE

1917    The first paid firefighters were hired. C.W. Rupp, Fire Chief The fire department provided fire service to all of Cache County until 1965.

1920    The fire department had 5 full time personnel. Fulltime + volunteers Personnel worked 24 hr days but got to go home 2 hrs/day for meals. Truly full time employees.

1927 Studebaker ambulance was used to initiate LCFD ambulance service in same year.

1924    Purchased American LaFrance fire engine. See photos. Still owned by LCFD.

1927    Ambulance service started. First ambulance was a 1927 Studebaker.
(John Thatcher 1997)

1930's - 1940's Volunteer service ended.
    Full time staffing increased.

1941    Purchased Buick ambulance.
Station remodeled - 3 bays added.

1945 17 firefighters worked 9 days straight and then had one day off.

1948    Tingwall fire. All firemen responded plus other city workers.

1941 Buick Ambulance

1949    Purchased 1949 American LaFrance Engine now in Paradise, UT.

1950    24 Personnel = 2, 12 man shifts. Logan City pop. 11,800 + USU students.

1956    Cadillac ambulance purchased for $8,500.

1960 24 personnel Logan City pop. 18,731 + USU.

1961 Purchased Internat'l. ambulance

1965    End of Logan/Cache Fire Dept. service to entire Cache County.

1966 USU substation opened staffed by 8 student firemen.

Cadillac ambulance purchased     $12,280.

1962 International Ambulance

Engine purchased $27,180

1967 Ladder truck purchased for $57,000 replacing the 1912 truck.

1966 Cadillac ambulance purchased for $12,280.

1966 American LaFrance Ford Chassis 1000 g.p.m. pumper truck.

-MODERN DAY FIRE SERVICE

Note circular net hanging from side (rt.) 1966 aerial truck for firefighters to hold for rescuing victims who would jump into the net.

1970    Staffing at 27 personnel including dispatchers + 8 part time student firefighters.

City pop. 30, 865 + USU students. TOTAL CALLS = 751

1972    EMT Service started.

1974    New fire station at 76 East 200     North dedicated.

1975    Central Mill "Red Rose" flour mill fire.

1977    Aux. 70 & Engine 72 delivered. Both still in service. Engine 72 front run.

1978    Advanced EMT service started.

1980    Population 37,424 + Zone 7 Total calls approx. 1,300
30 fire personnel + USU student firemen First Responders in Cache County

1974 Chevrolet Ambulance

1952 Reo 1200 gallon tank truck (tender). Retired from active service abt. 1989.

1981    Weathershield factory fire, E-71 Purchased

1982    Substation at USU closed. End of reserves (USU student firemen).

1984    Logan/Cache airport fuel tank fire.

1986    1,396 TOTAL CALLS

1988    Paramedic service started.

1989    Fire Inspector hired.

1990    Capital theater fire, Smithfield Cheese Plant fire.
1,733 TOTAL CALLS Logan City pop. 57,547 = LOGAN + ZONE 7 +     USU students

1991 E-ONE 95 foot Platform Truck

1991    E-One Platform purchased @ $500,000

1993    Training officer hired.

1995    2nd Inspector hired.

1996    Call volume increased to 2,396 1,000 call increase in last 10 yrs.

1997    Combat personnel increases to 33, New ambulance $ 75000 + EQUIPMENT
CHIEF DEXTRAS HIRED

1998    Reserve program started. 6 new full time personnel hired. Assistant chief position created. Lieutenants appointed as captains.  3 shifts - 12 members each shift. Logan City pop. 44,000 + USU students 19,000 + ZONE 7

FIRE CALLS OVER THE YEARS

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