WFD History: Trucks and Houses

Established as a volunteer fire department in 1860, the Westerville Fire Division (WFD) remained a volunteer department for more than 100 years. Today, the WFD consists of three fire houses and more than 100 firefighters, medics and staff members and a medley of trucks.

Since its creation, Westerville has seen its share of fire trucks from s horse-drawn ladder cart (1860s) to open cab pumper trucks (1920s) to the cab forward (closed-cab) trucks that are on the road today. Station houses have expanded, as well. Once housed behind City Hall, Station 111 moved to its current location in 1986 (400 W. Main St.). The Station includes the Shift Battalion Chief, medic, boat and the newest to the fleet, the Tiller. The Tiller is equipped with tools and equipment for both firefighting and rescue operations.

Station 113, built in 1998 at 355 N. Spring Rd., houses a medic and a 16-foot boat used for water rescues due to its proximity to Hoover Reservoir. One-thirteen is equipped with enough paramedic equipment to allow it to provide advanced life support or paramedic services at an emergency scene until a medic arrives to transport the patient. Westerville’s newest fire station, Station 112, located at 727 E. Schrock Rd., houses an engine and medic. All engine companies are advanced life support (ALS) engines.

WFD also houses three reserve trucks including two EMS transport vehicles that can be placed in service when needed. Engine 116, an antique fire apparatus used primarily for parades, is in WFD’s truck collection.

If you have ever wondered which truck runs to which type of call, Fire Chief Brian Miller says it is simply the closest truck.

“No matter what truck it is,” Chief Miller said, “could be a medic or a ladder or even the Chief’s SUV, the closest truck to the call is sent until other trucks arrive.”

Different types of fires require different trucks in attendance. If it is a fire, all three engines and the ladder truck plus a medic and the Chief run. If it is a fire alarm at a home, expect the engine and the ladder to arrive. If it is a business, expect two engines, the ladder and the Chief to arrive.

“All trucks are equipped with medic equipment, so if the medic is on another call, any truck can help,” Chief Miller said.

Additional information about the WFD is available at www.westerville.org/fire.

1920-1929

L.D. Gill, Walter Schick, Fred Snyder, E.P. Beck, Delmar Arn, Frank Arn, Charles Stockdale, George Farnlacher and Ed Farnlacher.

Photos courtesy of the Westerville Public Library History Museum.

1938

Black and white photograph of a wagon with fire equipment.

Photos courtesy of the Westerville Public Library History Museum.

1940-1959

When it was located behind the municipal building on South State Street.

Photos courtesy of the Westerville Public Library History Museum.

1948

Photos courtesy of the Westerville Public Library History Museum.

1990-1999

Fire Department truck during 4th of July parade.

Photos courtesy of the Westerville Public Library History Museum.