The West Lafayette Fire Department was established in 1894, volunteers composed of representative citizens, businessmen, and professionals.

These West Side men even bought most of their own equipment. Town Marshal George Wilson, the new Fire Chief, was offered $3 in case of fire, $1 in case of false alarm.

Natural gas had only been in the area since July 4, 1889, but it would be the cause of the second major fire to hit the area in a week and the area’s first gas explosion catastrophe. On Thursday, February 5, fire destroyed the West Lafayette (Grade) School on the southwest corner of Salisbury and North Street. One week later, February 12, a second gas explosion, less than 300 feet away from the smoldering schoolhouse, killed four people and burned down two houses.

These back-to-back tragedies led to the formation of the West Lafayette Fire Department. In September of 1893, the Town Board let contracts for the town’s first waterworks and pump house. In November of ’94, the board appointed a committee to secure fire apparatus as the main line of water works was almost completed. And the following month, the Town Board purchased a hose reel and 750 feet of hose and voted to erect a two-story building on a lot at 115 North Main Street (North Chauncey Avenue). The new building, West Lafayette Hose Co. #1 and Town Hall, would house the engine house on the first floor and City Hall on the second floor. Cost: $2,000.

 In January of 1895, Marshal George Wilson was named the new fire chief. On October 21, the Town Board authorized the purchase of a combination fire hose and ladder wagon to be built by Peter Anderson Wagon Works in Lafayette: WLFD’s first and only horse-drawn fire wagon.

The entire department resigned on February 22, 1899. They asked for $2 each at each fire, but the board stated it could acquire men for $1. The following month, the board voted for a paid fire department, appointing Assistance Chief Al Sims as chief with a salary of $40 a month. The five firemen were paid $1.50 apiece for each fire call, 75 cents for false alarms.

Chauncey Fire Station: Assistant Chief Amos Miller, Fire Chief Al Sims, Hose Man Frank Gwin, Bert Carns, Frank Leslie, Albert Rowe, Jay Pierce, Dr. William R. Moffit, Mr. Moore, W.J. Jones and his son Robert, Ed Severson, Roy Street, Art Duffy, Irvin Acheson, Harvey Sense, Henry Abbott, and Everett Vawter (1916).

In August of 1916, construction began on a new two-story brick building that would house the new fire station and City Hall at North and Vine streets. Cost: $15,547. The department’s first motorized fire truck was delivered June 17, 1917, and the men moved into the new station on July 4.

Station #1:(L-R) AC Amos Miller; driver unknown; Chief Al Sims; Herman Wright; Frank Gwin (June 17, 1917)

WLFD mascot Sparky  

WLFD had its share of mascots: a white Spitz named Sparky, a Llewellin Setter named Queenie (40s), an Eskimo named Duke, and a Dalmatian named Sparky. Legend has it that Sparky the Spitz could sense a forthcoming fire run. When he combined rolls with loud barks, it signaled to the guys to head for their suits and boots.  

(L-R): Ray Bossung, Sock Kurtz, Max Greenburg, Bud Cadwallader, Charles Dienhart, John Steiner, Jim Wilson, Willa Stacker, Queenie (1949)

June 15, 1955. Fire Station 1. West side annexation which would house West Lafayette Police Department and City Clerk’s office.

In January of 1963, the Board of Works approved plans for a second fire station at Salisbury and Navajo. And WLFD cut the ribbon at Fire Station #3 on December 21, 2012, at 1100 Kalberer.

Since 1894, the West Lafayette Fire Department has been ensuring that the community is a safe and great place to work, live, and play. The department boasts 46 firefighters, four administrators, two fire inspectors, three fire stations, five trucks; and offers fire protection, fire inspections, medical assistance, and public fire safety education.