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HISTORY TIME LINE
1783 - Alexander Parker purchased land that Parkersburg now stands on for $50
1811 Town of Parkersburg was established
1820 - Parkersburg was chartered by the general assembly of Virginia
1887 - First fire warden was appointed by City Council
1888 - Steam pumping engine & entire fire brigade go by train to a major fire in Grafton, WV
1889 - First Fire Chief John Barrows appointed by an ordinance of City Council
1892 - First steam pumper placed in service - Lane & Bosley brand
1897 - March 23rd - Ordinance passed creating a paid fire department
1903 - Ordinance amended under the new City Charter
1923 - First aerial truck purchased - American LaFrance
1926 - August 21 - Citizen's Lumber fire
1929 - November 30 - Camden Theater fire (8th & Market Sts)
1931 - Fire Prevention Program started
1945 - Grand Hotel fire (4th & Market Sts) - seven fatalities, nine injured
1950 - City of Parkersburg took over South Parkersburg Volunteer Fire Department
1952 - Fire Station 5 opened on Blizzard Drive
1959 - September 21 - Scott Lumber fire
1962 - May 14 - Reliable Furniture fire (410 Market St)
1965 - November 26 - Line of Duty Death - Pvt. Thomas Gainer
1969 - June 8 - Fire at Charles Bailey residence - twelve fatalities
1969 - November 19 - Monroe Hotel fire (stood near the main entrance of the Public Debt building)
Circa 1970 - First boat obtained for the Fire Department
1971 - February 1 - Big Red Market warehouse fire
1972 - July 11 - Union Livestock Sales fire (East & Depot Sts)
1974 - Fire alarm box system upgrade to voice call boxes
1974 - June 6 - Gatewood Products fire (420 East St)
- Fire Department receives first Rescue truck for Emergency Medical Service and Jaws of Life
1975 - June 22 - Pence Building fire (4th St)
1976 - February 27 - Club Carrinda fire -(7th & Quincy)
1976 - May 9 - Surf & Turf Club fire (Rt 95 & Gihon)
1978 - 911 system goes operational
1979 - May 9 - Blennerhassett Hotel fire (4th & Market)
1979 - May 22 - Good Shepherd Church fire (Charles & Latrobe)
1980 - September 28 - Old City Hall fire (5th & Market)
1981 - 100' Sutphen Aerial truck was purchased with first 5" large diameter supply hose
1981 - Citizen Pauline Petty creates map book to be used by Fire & Police Departments
1982 - June 26 - Line of Duty Death - Sgt. Harry Carney
1984 - January 8 - Fire at 655-663 7th St
1984 - October 2 - Sly Fox Tavern fire (13th & Market)
1985 - June 19 -Bonded Mattress Factory fire - 1001 Depot St
1985 - June 26 - People's Cartage Warehouse (65000 sq ft) fire (Camden Ave)
1987 - Journeyman Firefighter Apprenticeship program implemented
1987 - First Fire Safety House constructed (mobile) under the direction of John Sandy
1987 - August 27 - Universal Supply Co fire
1987 - September 21 - Apartment Building fire (8th & Juliana)
1989 - Remainder of trucks equipped with large diameter supply line
1989 - July 24 - Carpet Master fire (1711 7th St)
1989 - August 20 - B&O Roundhouse fire (700 Depot St)
1994 - June 13 - Line of Duty Death - Pvt. Marc Butcher
2005 - Capt Spence retires
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