History

The process to start a Fire department in the City of Maxwell started in 1884 but was not fully realized until April 1896. The first official fire department was organized with twelve members being approved by the Council. It was called the Maxwell Hose Company. The Council had authorized the purchase of a hose cart and hose which cost between $90 and $100 in 1895.

From the purchase of the hose cart and through the 30’s the fire department had to be a hardy group. The hose cart was pulled by hand and the streets and roads were not hard surfaced during most of that period. At time, horses were used if the fire happened to be nearby. When motor vehicles were first used, some unfortunate volunteers would hang on the back of the vehicle and pull the hose cart behind it by hand. There was an element of danger when arriving at the fire to stop the loaded cart without further injury. Nothing in the records shows what method was used to alert the firemen of a fire but an old picture of the fire house shows a bell on top of the building which was probably rung call all men to duty.

In later years, an open cab motorized fire truck was presented to the City of Maxwell and it opened up the way to not only serving the City but the rural area as well and to back up service to the adjoining towns. The war put extreme pressure on the volunteer manpower as well as on the equipment. The senior citizens were pressed into service and served the city well.

A new fire truck was purchased in 1951 and the Council approved enlarging the department to include 16 members. The Council also approved the forming of a Maxwell Firemens’ Auxiliary. In 1952, the first annual Firemens’ Dance was held to raise money for the department. New equipment was purchased through fund raising and money given by the local businessmen. A resuscitator was purchased which made Maxwell Fire Dept. one of the best equipped departments in Story County. A new chassis for the fire truck was purchased in 1970 and in 1974 a new resuscitator was purchased. By 1976 the department had grown to 20 members. The fireman also voted to accept as members women who were trained in C.I.M. (Crash Injury Management).

History from the Maxwell, Iowa 1883-1983 History book