Photo Reproduced with the Permission of the Jackson Historical Society
HISTORY OF JACKSON FIRE DEPARTMENT
1892
The Jackson Fire Department was founded in 1892 with 48 charter members.
The initial funding for the department was provided by the members themselves who paid $1.00 to join the department and $0.25 per meeting.
The first equipment purchased was a hand drawn/hand operated pump and a fire bell that summoned members to a fire call. This bell is still on display today in front of the department.
1893
The department upgraded its equipment to a horse drawn fire engine.
1906
The fire department built its first station next to the current village hall location.
1915
The first motorized piece of equipment was purchased and was built on a Model T frame.
1929
A siren was purchased as the newest way to signal the firemen. The siren was the first of its kind in the whole area.
1931
The fire department met with the towns of Jackson and Polk about possible fire protection contracts.
A new village hall was also constructed that year, and the fire department gave the village $500 to build an additional ten feet on to village hall to house the fire trucks.
1938
Two air masks were purchased for the members.
1942
The department installed a 1000-gallon tank on a Ford chassis it had purchased for $513 and the first Jackson tanker was born.
1951
During the “Action in Jackson” celebration, a fire caused an estimated $300,000 loss which devastated the Jackson Canning Company.
1960’s
“Fire Phones” were installed in homes and businesses of key fire department personnel. All of the phones would ring in a special sequence and any of those phones could answer.
1970
Two-way radios were installed in the trucks, and a tower was built on the village hall. The department was authorized to have it's own radio base station.
A spectacular fire at the fertilizer plant on South Center Street occured and could be seen for miles.
1972
High band pagers were being used to alert firemen. This system was connected to an upgraded telephone system that could be used to activate the pagers.
1974
The department moved to it's current location on Jackson Drive and has been expanded a number of times to accomodate new equipment.
1976
The JFD Rescue Squad made it's first run on January 4th. Later that year, a new Pierce pumper was purchased for $50,000 making it the most expensive truck purchased to date.
1985
New pagers were purchased, and the Washington Couty Sherrif's Department began handling dispatching.
1989
A popular roller-skating rink was destroyed in a large fire on January 1.
1990
A new, fully enclosed crew cab pumper was purchased for $170,000 to keep the operator and personnel out of the weather.
A Jaws of life tool was purchased and placed on the new pumper.
The EMT's were certified to use a defibrillator to restart cardiac patients' hearts. 
1991
A used ladder truck was purchased from Hartford Fire Department.
1992
The department's first full-time employee was hired to cover daytime duties and calls.
1996
The call volume for the year was 245 EMS calls and 80 fire related calls.
1998
Major events during the year included a natural gas rupture on Hwy 60, two major barn fires within 10 days, and a compost fire that took 600,000 gallons of water to extinguish.
1999
A new Smeal 75' ladder was purchased at a cost of $350,000.
A thermal imaging camera was donated to the FD by the department support group.
The department's response area had grown to approximately 11,000 people in a 48 square mile area. The call volume rose to 285 EMS calls and 110 fire related calls.
2000
The Director of Public Safety retired, and the Village appointed a new full-time fire Chief.
The Fire Marshall was also hired and became the second full-time member of the department.
The department took delivery of the new 1280 Command Vehicle in may and ran a total of 316 EMS calls and 143 fire related calls.
2002
The department added a third full-time member to the department to handle the increased workload. The department took delivery of the Chief's car and a replacement Ambulance.
2003
The Washington County Dive team was formed, and four members of the JFD joined the team. The department received a grant from FEMA to replace all of the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus and increased firefighter safety.
2004
The EMS crews increased their level of care to IV Technician and can now administer additional drugs and IV fluids in-route. The Grass Rig was replaced after 20 years of faithful service, and 16 members of the department joined the Washington County Hazardous Materials Team.
2005
The department took delivery of 1261, the new state-of-the-art Pierce Lance Fire Engine. The engine has seating for eight, an onboard foam system, telescoping light mast, hydraulic generator and carries 1000 gallons of water.
2007
The Department replaced their 1996 Rescue Engine with a new Pierce Engine with improved safety and operational characteristics, onboard hydraulic generator and pump for Jaws, light mast, and room for a crew of six.
2008
1285 was replaced with a new and improved 4X4 equipment/air truck. The improved capabilities of the truck allow it to get into areas that were formerly unreachable with a total crew compliment of five.
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