The history of the Sterling Fire Department is a story of "success and progress," with a humble beginning housed in the city hall basement in 1872 to the present time when the department maintains one of the finest, most efficient and modern fire control systems in the State of Illinois.

The history of the Sterling Fire Department began with a letter written to the Sterling city council seeking permission to organize a fire department. The original letter was written Sidney Osmer, Sterling's first fire marshal, and approved by the city council Aug. 6, 1872.

The first fire marshal appointed by the city of Sterling was Sidney Osmer, between 1860 and 1875. At that time the city had a pumpimg station located at the foot of Locust Street. Holly pumps were installed and pumped water through four, five, and six-inch wood pipes, which covered an area of 10 blocks and supplied 13 hydrants.

The fire department had three hose companies and one hook and ladder company. The chief was W. C. Robinson, and about 150 men were enrolled on the department. Their equipment consisted of six ladders, four Babcock extinguishers, leather buckets, and other necessary equipment. The average number of calls at that ar time was about two a year.

The next set of records was dated about 1881, and at that time the chief was Moses Dillon. The enrollment was about 130 men. The water pumps were still located at the foot of Locust Street, but there were 41 hydrants in service.

In 1885 there were five hose companies, two engine companies, and one hook and ladder company. A new pumping station was put into operation in July of 1886. There was talk of providing a headquarters for the fire department, and the city was to put it to a vote of the people to provide a city hall and fire station. The chief of the fire department at this time was Joe Burke, who was also chief engineer.

In 1889 to 1890 a city hall was erected on Third Street between First Avenue and Locust Street, and all the different hose and ladder companies were consolidated into Union Hose Company at the city hall and Lincoln Hose Company in the east end of town. Around this time there was also a fire-bell installed at Locust and Fourth Street. Charles H. Ives was the chief of the department at this time, and the roster for the station read as follows:

The Union Hose Company ­ Chief Charles H.Jves; First Lieut. H. J. Higby; Second Lieut. Samuel Seix; Third Lieut. James C. Fryberger; Secretary, J. W. Snaveley; and Treasurer, Warren Roth. The firemen were Newell, Feigley, Angell, Keener, Lawler, Dundon, Wink, Modler, Howard, Shoop, Schaefer, Johnson, Bennett, Ruggs, Gaulrapp, Campbell, Berlin, Babcock and Blair.

The Lincoln Hose Company included Capt. L. Little; Lieut. R. L. Mangan; Secretary, P, G. Kelsey; and Treasurer, W. P. Mangan. The firemen were E. J. Mangan, S. T. Mangan, Comstock, Hankerson, Williams and Betts.

Chief Ives worked or ran a wagon factory at First Avenue near the river, where the National Manufacturing Company is now located. At that time he designed an extension ladder for the fire department, which was in use for many years. It was during his term that the horse-drawn apparatus was put into use. Whenever the fire alarm went off, different livery barns would rush a team to the fire station to take the hose wagon and ladder to the fire. It was also during his term that the Gamewell alarm system was installed, consisting of 12 alarm boxes scattered about the city. A bell was also installed in the tower of the city hall.

In the early 1900's the department consisted of Chief S. A. Stull; Ass't. Chief C. J. Johnson; Capt. E. F. Williams; First Lieut. John Dundon; Second Lieut. John A. Loos; Treas. Warren Roth; Secy.William Boehm; and Driver, John Gleason". The other members were Dennis Boyer, S. A. Cass, John Cushman, Michael Devine, Fred Duhm, O. A. Feigley, William Howard, A. J. Gerdes, George Blair, Hugh Ramsey, Joe Tahan and Arthur Johnson.

It was in the early 1900's that a team of horses was purchased for the fire department, and the department was able to respond to calls much more quickly. In 1910 a new fire station was built next to the city hall, and the first full-time fire department was started. John Gleason was the chief, and five full-time firemen served under him. Each man worked four 24-hour days and had the fifth day off.

The first piece of motorized fire equipment was an American Lafrance hose and chemical truck and was purchased in 1912. William Boehm was appointed chief about this time and held that position until around 1922. In 1922 C. L. Nicol was appointed chief, and in 1923 a 1,000 g.p.m. Ahrens Fox pumper was purchased by the city. The 1912 American LaFrance truck was then equipped with a 500 g.p.m. pump. Other pieces of equipment purchased during Chief Nicol's term were a 1924 - 500 g.p.m. Seagraves pumper and a 1937 Seagraves 65 ft. aerial ladder, which is still at the main station and undergoing repair.

In 1944 Chief C. L. Nico1 retired from the fire service, and Chris Dingler was appointed chief. During Chief Dingler's term a 1952 American LaFrance 1,000 g.p.m. pumper was purchased for the fire department. Chief Dingler retired in 1955 and Richard Nicol, son of C. L. Nicol, was appointed chief. During the early years of Chief Nicol's term a 1954 Dodge 500 g.p.m. rural pumper was purchased for the department. Also, the department was increased to thirteen fulltime men and fifteen part-time men, who received pay for answering calls. In 1957 an American LaFrance 1,000 g.p.m. pumper was purchased. After the city election in 1963, Chief Nicol was demoted to captain, and James Samuelson was brought in from Moline, Illinois as chief of the department. In 1963 the department received a 1963 Ford rescue truck, which was donated by the local Independent Insurance Companies. Chief Samuelson left in 1967 and Richard N icol again became Chief of the Department.

The Daily Gazette July 1, 1976