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Show N|E A8 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008 W S Spanish Fork Covering what matters most the second 50 years SF Fire Department enters the Millennium Amy Baum •STAFF WRITER Miller served as chief until 1999. In 1990 Spanish Fork got another new pumper, this time Pierce Manufacturing got the bid for a 1,500 GPM pumper. At a cost of over $200,000 fire trucks are a major investment. Fire fighter safety regulations mean that this is the last open cab engine we will see, and we still employ this Engine as our "first out engine." In 1994, Spanish Fork Canyon received its "Death Strip" designation for being one of the deadliest highways in America. Unfortunately, many of the fatalities are a result of driver error. Orr Electric caught fire and another deadly explosion occurred at Trojan that same year. Spanish Fork got its first set of "The Jaws of Life" and put them on its new Ford brush truck, creating our first Rescue Truck to assist the ambulance on auto and industrial accidents. The construction of our current home began in 1995, with completion in 1996. 1997 brought us our first Ladder Truck, a Pierce 75foot heavy-duty ladder. It rolled into town on Mother's Day at a cost of over $400,000. it was soon put to work on a fire at 150 East and 1600 North. 1998 is a historic year because Spanish Fork Fire hired its first female volunteer, Laurie Purkey, who is still a dedicated member of our team. Arson was suspected at another Main Street fire that year between 100 North and 200 North. The year 2000 brought us into the new millennium with a new 2,000-gallon lanker purchased from American La France. With The Spanish Fork Fire Department started their second 50 years off with one of the most spectacular fires in its history. On Jan. 8,1959 the Smith Auto Co., then located at 320 North Main (.where Main St. Plaza is now) caught fire. A welding torch caused the fire; it resulted in two employees suffering burns, and a near total loss for the business, with a cost estimate upwards of $250,000. 1960 was a year of tragedy when a house fire at 100 East and 200 North took the lives of a 28-year-old mother and her four-year-old son. The cause of the fire was suspected to be a cigarette left burning near a couch. The year 1963 also brought death in Spanish Fork American Cyanide Co. (Trojan Explosives) had a fatal explosion that claimed the life of a 54-year-old employee who had 18 years on the job. The explosion damaged several buildings and sparked a grass fire that required the help of Springville and Mapleton Fire Departments to extinguish. About 50 employees were on the site at the time and the explosion left a 100-foot crater. An arson spree caught the headlines in 1964, when two Spanish Fork men were arrested for vandalism and the death of eight cattle. Roger's Tire at 70 West Center St. produced another spectacular downtown fire in 1965. In 1966, Spanish Fork received another new engine; it was a '66 Boardman built on a G.M.C. chassis, a cost of about $28,000. At the end of its service, 2001, Spanish Fork City generously donated this truck to the community of Rocky Ridge. The engine is still in service somewhere in the West Desert. Two major fires occurred in 1968^ Goode's Auto Parts, and Building Materials Inc. both burned. The bicentennial year of 1976 brought another downtown fire. The Tally Ho fire caused $500,000 dollars in damages, with the Tally Ho clothing store and Montgomery Ward both a total loss. Due to the construction along Main Street, the potential for fire spread was enormous, requiring help of Springville, Payson and Provo Fire Departments. In 1979, the city purchased a Ford Tanker, and in 1981, Utah Valley received 911 services. In the Spring of 1983 while on a semi-trailer fire in the Thistle area, motorists stopped to report a large "bump" in the Highway. Further investigation exposed the beginning of the Thistle landslide that disrupted the canyon for a couple of years. 1983 also brought a new American La France pumper to the department; rated at 1,750 gallons per minute, this engine is still in use today. 1987 brought the first fire chief appointed by the city; Lloyd VOLUNTEERS: Spanish Fork's all-volunteer fire Courtesy photos "FIRST OUT ENGINES": Spanish Fork fire trucks from different decades are displayed outside the old fire station. a portable tank and the ability to carry six firefighters, this piece of equipment is essential to serve a fire area that spans from Utah Lake to Soldier Summit. 2001 brought our country under attack and changed the way we all feel about the risks of being a firefighter; the 343 New York firefighters that lost their lives that day are still in our thoughts. 2005 brought the first annual SFFD duck race on July 24. August brought another big event when a truck carrying 35,000 lbs. of explosives overturned and exploded on Highway 6. Amazingly their were no fatalities, but it left a 30-foot deep hole and caused rock slides, forest fires and damage to several vehicles. 2006 brought us a new Heavy Rescue Truck and another explosion on Highway 6, in the same spot as the last one, this time it was gasoline. The driver succumbed to his burn injuries the next day at the hospital.' Also in 2006, Rocky Mountain Composites lost two men due to the crash of their experimental aircraft at the Spanish Fork Airport. We are getting busier as our little town grows. Spanish Fork is still an all-volunteer department. We respond to an average of about 400 calls a year, do training every Thursday night, and try to support our community in a variety of ways. We would like to thank the family members of our volunteers for understanding the tremendous amount of time it takes us away from home. Without their support, it would be impossible for this 100-year legacy to continue. So come on out and help us celebrate our 100th birthday with a parade down Main Street at 10 a.m. on Saturday May 10 ending at the new ballpark with a birthday cake and drinks for all. Fire apparatus from throughout the state will be there on display. Come on out and join us! department outside the Public Safety building during the *90's. In 1998 the Fire Department hired its first female volunteer, Laurie Purkey, who is still a dedicated member of the team. SAFETY EDUCATION: Public Safety Officers from Spanish Fork spend the day teaching local kids about safety in this photo from the '80's. TOTAL LOSS: The second 50 years started off with one of the most spectacular fires in its history. On Jan. 8, 1959 the Smith Auto Co., then located at 320 North Main (where Main St. Plaza is now) caught fire. A welding torch caused the fire; it resulted in two employees suffering burns, and a near total loss for the business, with a cost estimate upwards of $250,000. "DEATH STRIP": Trojan Explosives in Spanish Fork Canyon caught fire in 1994, pictured at left. Trojan Explosives had a previous fatal explosion that caused a 100-foot crater in 1963 while under the name Spanish Fork American Cyanide Co. that required help from Springville and Mapleton Fire Departments to extinguish. August, 2005 brought a big event when a truck carrying 35,000 lbs of explosives overturned and exploded on Highway 6, pictured at right. Amazingly their were no fatalities, but it left a 30-foot deep hole and caused rock slides, forest fires and damage to several vehicles. |