HISTORY OF THE NORTH OLDHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT

What would you do if you called the fire department and nobody came??

Some citizens learned the answer to that question early in 1951 in Skylight, in Northern Oldham County when a barn loaded with corn burned to the ground.  A call was made to the LaGrange City Fire Department who refused to respond outside of the city limits.  Neighboring communities of Harrods Creek and Westport did not have fire departments at the time.  South Oldham Fire Department in Crestwood was just getting started.  Other area fire departments were much too far away to respond. 

Reacting to this devastating fire, the people around Skylight decided to establish a volunteer fire department.  An organizational meeting was held at the Liberty School.  At that meeting it was agreed to ask residents of the area to contribute money for a volunteer fire department.  Their contributions would be in proportion to the number of buildings on their farms.  These contributions ranged from $25 to the smallest farms to $400 for the largest ones.  

About 50 farmers signed up for the department and only a few declined.  The organizers decided that following the initial contribution, each property owner would be asked to make a small annual contribution of $5 to $10.  The new department also would receive $400 per year from the Oldham County Fiscal Court.  The original area covered by the department “ran about 3 or 4 miles north and south of Highway 42 and 6 to 7 miles in each direction from Skylight.  This method of funding for the NOFD remained basically unchanged until the Fire Protection District was created in 1976.

 The original, founding Board of Directors of the NOFD consisted of Harry Nelson, President, Douglas Potter, Secretary-treasurer, directors Charles Bottorf, Raymond Wilborn, Robert Clore, William Fallis, F.T. Clausen, John Robert Bottorf and C.W. Brickley. 

 The original fire station on Axton Lane just south of US42 was constructed in 1952 at a cost of $2,200 for materials.  Labor was almost free, as the construction was done by inmates from the LaGrange Reformatory who were paid 12 cents a day.  The first fire apparatus was a 1937 Chevrolet with a pump and a tank, purchased used from the Buechel Fire Department of Jefferson County.  The department only used this truck for a short period of time. 

A 1951 Ford chassis was purchased and the pump and 500 gallon tank from the Chevrolet were mounted on it.  A wooden hose body was installed.  This truck remained part of the NOFD fleet until it was sold in the mid 1990’s.  It is presently owned by the Oldham County Historical Society.

The first method of dispatch was a railroad engine bell donated by the L&N Railroad.  The bell was mounted on a pole near the fire station.  In case of fire, John Leet, the first Fire Chief, who lived near the station, took the call on his telephone and went to the station to sound the bell alerting the volunteer firefighters who lived close enough to hear the alarm.  This alarm system survived only a few years.  An entry in the fire run logbook dated August 24, 1952 indicates a barn fire and states “the first time the big siren was used for a fire.”  

Although early records are few, it appears that the new fire department responded to two fire runs in 1951.  Fire destroyed the Sulphur Methodist Church.  All the fire department could do was prevent the fire from spreading, which they did successfully.  The other fire that year was a field fire. 

 Although the department was inexperienced and had minimal equipment, they were effective as shown by two articles that appeared in the Oldham Era on Friday, August 22, 1952.  They read:

 “A truck of the American Chemical Company of Cincinnati was partially destroyed by fire Monday when it caught fire at the junction of U.S. 42 & KY 53 north of LaGrange.  The North Oldham Volunteer Fire Department headed by Harry Nelson prevented a complete loss.  The truck was loaded with bleach in gallon bottles.  One tire on the dual wheels blew out and the blaze was caused by friction when the two tires rubbed against each other.  The department prevented the spread of the blaze to the motor and gas tank.  Traffic on the highway was blocked until the fire was extinguished.”

 “A fire which started in the woods on the farm of Mr. & Mrs. Everette Shearer on Highway 42 burned over 20 acres of brush and undergrowth Tuesday morning before it was extinguished.  The North Oldham Volunteer Fire Department answered the call and stopped its further spread.  The origin of the blaze, which for sometime threatened barns and other nearby buildings, is unknown.”

 Although records describe the area covered by the department as running “about 3 or 4 miles north and south of Highway 42 and about 6 or 7 miles in each direction from Skylight” run log entries show runs as far away as LaGrange and Westport. 

 Run records indicate 2 in 1951, 16 in 1952, 16 in 1953 and 17 in 1954.  Run volume averaged about 15 per year from this point until the mid 1970’s.  The majority of the runs were field fires, barn fires and house fires.  An occasional vehicle fire occurred but there were no haz-mat runs, EMS runs, extrication runs or other situations we now face.

 Once in awhile the early volunteers would experience a unique call as evidenced by an entry in the log on January 28, 1953, which simply states “pumped out well and helped get Mr. Becker’s body out of the well”.  NOVFD also provided mutual aid in the early days just as we do today.  On May 14, 1955 they were called to make a “run to LaGrange, helped on big fire in town!”

 It also appears that the early NOVFD faced some of the same problems that today’s volunteer fire departments face.  This is indicated by a fire run entry in the log on April 5, 1957 for a “Buick Car on fire at the service station, I made run alone.”

A new 1957 International fire engine went into service late that year.  This chassis was purchased and the pump and tank from the ’51 Ford were transferred to it.  A 1000 gallon tank was then mounted on the 1951 Ford.  The department now had two fire apparatus.  The new engine made it’s first run on December 26, 1957, responding to a car fire on Buckeye Lane.

 NOVFD experienced major fires on occasion in the early days.  On January 11, 1957, LaGrange was called to assist with a structure fire in a roadside motel court.  An entry in the log on November 18, 1959 describes a barn fire where “both engines were used”.  On March 19, 1960 fire destroyed an “old school house at Goshen, took both engines.”  Some of the runs that are more familiar to us today are not new to the NOVFD, such as a false fire alarm in Oldham Acres on October 28, 1960.

 The North Oldham Volunteer Fire Department operated with very limited funds, usually only $2,000 to $3,000 of revenue per year.  This continued well into the 1960’s.  A financial report from the annual meeting of 1967 shows total revenues of $2,900, expenditures of $2,400 and total assets of $13,000.  The department was still funded by soliciting annual subscriptions of $5 to $10 from property owners.  Those that paid were called “members.”  If the department responded to a fire at a “member’s” property the service was provided free.  If the response was to a “non-member’s” property they were billed between $100 and $200.  Property owners were encouraged to subscribe to the department by mail drives and calls from the board members.

 Mailings often read like this:  “We serve the North Oldham area from Prospect east to Highway 53, including the many lanes that lead off of U.S. 42.  We have a capable group of volunteer firemen who man our pumpers around the clock, whenever a call is received on our short wave equipment.  We have never refused to make a run when called, by member or non-member, since our organization in 1951.  Our membership includes most of the property owners in our area and we would welcome you as a member.  The initial fee to join is $50 which is non-recurring and is $10 per year thereafter.”

 Mailings also included stickers with the NOVFD’s phone number (228-1315) for people to place on their phones so they could promptly call the fire department in the event of a fire.  Calls for fires were answered by the Melrose Inn desk clerk on duty.  The clerk used a base radio to dispatch the firefighters and activate the roof siren at the station.  This proved to be a much more efficient method of alerting the fire department than by siren alone.  However, it was not without flaws. 

On one occasion, it was the Melrose desk clerk was obviously experiencing her first day on the job as a motel clerk/dispatcher.  It was apparent by the radio traffic that this new clerk had probably been trained how to check in guests, give them a key and take their money…and, oh by the way….this is the fire phone and radio.  If someone reports a fire, just take the information, push this button and announce the fire run over the radio.  After that, anytime anyone calls North Oldham base, just say “10-4” and give the call letters.  

On one occasion, firefighters heard the tones and after a long pause, the mic was keyed and the next thing you heard was someone clearing their throat.  Then she struggled to announce a barn fire.  It sounded like she read from a card and just filled in the blanks with the location of the fire.  After a few minutes a fireman called by radio “North Oldham Engine 2 to base, where’s the fire?”  Her reply; “10-4, KEW-951.”  Again, with great patience, this fireman calls again “North Oldham Engine 2 to base, where’s the fire?”  Again…..”10-4, KEW-951.”  The third and fourth time this guy called in he wasn’t as patient or polite as before.  After about 5 minutes of this, and sorry to say, a lot of laughter by those listening, a rather loud and irritated, booming voice took over the base radio and told the units the location of the fire.  No one recalls hearing that particular desk clerk’s voice on the radio again.

 The Melrose Inn dispatch system remained in service until Oldham County Central Dispatch become operational in May, 1977.  Since then, the old monitors and sirens have been replaced by pagers, computer aided dispatch and enhanced 911 systems. 

 In the late 1960’s the North Oldham area began to change.  Growth brought on by people migrating from Louisville/Jefferson County to Oldham County resulted in new subdivisions and posed a challenge to the fire department.  The NOVFD still operated just two fire trucks from the Skylight station, yet the development was occurring 7 to 8 miles west, near Prospect.  As a result, the area’s Insurance Rating was Class 10 and  response times were lengthy.

 As the NOFD moved into the 1970’s, it was becoming apparent to Chief George Carter that the department needed to make significant changes in order to serve a growing area and improve the insurance rating.  He knew that additional apparatus, equipment, firefighters and a second station would be needed to meet the demands of the growth.

 In 1974, Chief Carter purchased a third fire apparatus, a 4 wheel drive Ford truck with a small tank, a pump and hose, to be used for brush fires and a quick response to other types of fires.  The department struggled to pay for this truck and it is said that Chief Carter himself, mounted a door-to-door campaign to raise the money to buy it.  This truck remained in service until it was sold in July, 2001.  The Axton Lane fire station was expanded to house this truck and make room for a future new pumper.

 The Chief and the Board realized that the old “membership” method of funding was no longer adequate.  In 1975, talk of forming a fire protection district shifted into action.  The Board became alarmed when River Bluff and Countryside Subdivision, which NOVFD had protected since their development in the late ‘60’s, created their own fire district, collected property tax and contracted with Harrods Creek Fire Department of Jefferson County.  The Board feared losing more territory and potential revenue to another jurisdiction.  

The drive to establish the fire protection district shifted into high gear with the circulation of petitions.  The district was created in February, 1976.  The original members of Board of Trustees are John Hampton, Frank Lyons, Martha Oliver, Hugh Crouch, Gilson Guyton, Norman Dick and Robert Hoops.  The new district collected $23,256 in tax revenue for 1977.  By 1980, that had jumped to $51,869 as a result of all the growth in the area. 

 With guaranteed revenue for funding, the department, under the leadership of Chief George Carter, purchased a new Ford/E-One fire engine in 1977 for $32,000 and began efforts to build a second fire station in Goshen.  This would be essential in order to reduce the insurance rating from Class 10 to Class 9. 

 It was about this time that the department began training EMT’s to respond to injury vehicle accidents and medical emergencies.  Up to this point, South Oldham and LaGrange provide ambulance service to North Oldham’s district.  While their EMT’s were very capable, response times were too long.  North Oldham Fire Department’s initial EMS efforts were first responder EMT’s who went to the scene and provided care until South Oldham or LaGrange arrived.

 There were difficulties in funding construction of another fire station and purchasing another new fire engine for that station, even with the new fire district revenue.  A fund drive was conducted in 1978 to raise funds to build Station 2 and purchase a new pumper at a combined cost of $133,000.   Initially, the fund drive was disappointing.  Finally, sufficient funds were raised and the remainder borrowed to build the station and buy a 1979 Ford/Darley pumper.

 Run volume was increasing around this time also.  In 1976, NOFD responded to 29 runs.  The total for 1980 was 63 runs.  More volunteers were needed to staff the two stations, answer an ever-increasing amount of runs and gain a lower insurance rating for the district.

 With the opening of Station 2 and the arrival of a new pumper, the majority of the fire district was now within 5 miles of a fire station.  The department finally had two Class A pumpers.  That, along with other improvements finally resulted in the insurance rating being improved to Class 9.

 In 1981, long time Chief George Carter turned the reins of the department over to new Chief Lewis Nugent.  Richard Nugent became the Assistant Chief.  Chief Nugent continued to expand the department to keep up with the rapidly growing community.  Under his leadership, the department bought hydraulic rescue equipment (jaws-of-life), expanded Station 2 in 1984, obtained a certificate of need and activated ambulance service in 1985 and improved the department’s insurance rating to Class 6 in 1988.   In 1989, the original Axton Lane fire station was replaced by a new Station 1 at 8615 W. U.S. 42.  In 1990, the department accepted delivery of it’s first diesel powered apparatus with a crew cab, a Ford/Grumman 1250 GPM pumper.  This new pumper cost $105,000. 

One of the most significant changes in the department occurred under the direction of Chief Lewis Nugent and Assistant Chief Richard Nugent.  On April 30, 1990, the NOFD employed it’s first paid firefighters.  Six part-time firefighters made up the original “day staff.”  Rich Nugent was among the original day staff employees.  The remainder were full time firefighters with the Louisville Fire Department.  The original program provided two paid firefighters at the station weekdays from 8AM to 5PM, to maintain equipment, care for the building and grounds and provide a guaranteed response to runs during the daylight hours when most of the volunteers are at their regular jobs.  One original day staff member, Louisville Fire Captain Scott Hogan, is still employed at NOFD.

By 1991, the Fire District’s revenue had grown to $162,000.  Fire/EMS run volume was approaching 200 per year.  The department continued to plan for future growth and the accompanying demand for services.

 Lewis Nugent stepped down and Chief Phil Schaad took over in 1994.  Chief Schaad continued to plan for future growth.  He added additional apparatus, including a new brush fire unit and ambulance, improved the department’s communications equipment, made the switch to large diameter supply hose, expanded the day staff and added the department’s first full time day staff supervisor, Captain Michael Morgan.  He also began to plan to improve the department’s insurance rating.

 During the 1990’s the department lost two members with the death of retired Chief George Carter and the tragic loss of Sergeant Chris Combs in an accident.  Station One in Skylight is dedicated to Chief Carter.  The ambulance and the flagpole at Station 2 are dedicated in memory of Sergeant Combs.  Both of these dedicated firefighters and friends are sorely missed.

 In 1996, Phil Schaad stepped down and David Wade became Chief.  He served in that position until 1999.  During his term, the department hired an additional full-time firefighter and promoted Captain Morgan to Assistant Chief/Administrator.  The department also hired a part-time administrative assistant.   Chief Wade continued to update apparatus and equipment.  Two 1996 Freightliner/Monroe 2000 gallon tankers were delivered in 1997 at a cost of $105,000 each.  In 1998, a new KME pumper was delivered at a cost of $234,000.

 In the spring of 1999, Chief David Wade stepped down.  Assistant Chief/Administrator Michael Morgan resigned to take a Chief’s position with another department.  Deputy Chief David Stoltz was appointed interim Chief.   After a great deal of consideration, the Fire District Board made the decision to hire a full time Fire Chief.  This was a significant change for a department whose membership had always elected their Chief.  Chief Stoltz’s leadership during this period was superb and instrumental in making the transition to a paid chief a smooth one.

 In September, 1999, Richard H. Albers became NOFD’s first paid full-time Fire Chief.  His background included 28 years fire service experience in paid and volunteer fire departments.  He most recently served as Fire Chief for Florence, KY from 1990 to 1999. He began his fire service career as a volunteer with St. Matthews Fire Dept. and joined the Louisville Fire Dept. in 1977. 

 The new Chief continued to expand services and plan for the future.  The department has recently acquired new, high-tech equipment including a thermal imaging camera, new lightweight breathing apparatus, new state of the art protective gear for firefighters and new rescue/extrication equipment.  In July, 2000, the Board of Trustees approved the Chief’s request to expand employee staffing levels to guarantee 6 personnel on duty per day, Monday thru Friday from 8AM to 5PM.  All other hours are staffed entirely by volunteers..   

 In October, 2000, NOFD hired a full-time Training and Fire Prevention Coordinator.  Donald A. Dahl was selected from a group of highly qualified applicants.  Mr. Dahl has been in the fire service since the early ‘80’s and served as a fire officer and training coordinator in two fire departments.  In addition, he served as a Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy for 20 years where he was responsible for development of training programs and the training of Navy recruits.  His experience and education make him ideal for this new position.   

 Where are we today?  We are blessed and challenged with continuing growth.  We continue to provide the best possible service to our community.  We also continue to operate an ambulance as an extension of the Oldham County EMS organization, to better serve the Goshen area. 

 Fire District revenues exceeded $500,000 in 2001 and are expected to exceed $600,000 in 2002.   In 1951, NOFD answered 2 runs.  In 2001, NOFD answered 436 runs.  We continue to expand our services and upgrade our apparatus, equipment, training and facilities to meet the needs of the community.  

In June, 2001 the NOFD suffered a significant loss with the death of a founding member, Mr. Norman E. Dick.  Norman was one of those who organized the meeting in 1951 at the Liberty School, which got the department started.  Norman served from day one as a firefighter, for 25 years.  He then served as a charter member of the Fire Protection District Board, remaining as a trustee until his recent death.  Norman served the North Oldham Fire Department with enormous dedication for 50 years.  He will be deeply missed and always remembered as a firefighter and friend.

 We have expanded our scope of services to include fire and rescue service on our 11-mile stretch of the Ohio River.  NOFD operates a fire/rescue boat which is located at the Rose Island Yacht Club.  This boat is a 21’ cabin cruiser which was donated to the department by NOFD Sergeant Kris Krohn and his wife.  The boat has been modified to fit it’s new role.  It carries water rescue and EMS equipment and a 150 GPM fire pump, hose and foam.   We also operate a 3-place wave runner and a 16’ john boat in support of the larger craft.

 In addition to water rescue and river firefighting, NOFD has just initiated fire and life safety inspection program.  The Chief and the Department have recently been “deputized” by the Kentucky State Fire Marshal.  This allows NOFD inspectors to operate with the same authority and resources of the State Fire Marshal.  Inspections were initiated in August, 2001.  The goal of this program is to ensure that all properties subject to public entry are maintained according to fire and life safety standards.

 The increased revenues and expanded services of the NOFD have been achieved without a tax rate increase.  The North Oldham Fire Department currently operates two fire stations, 4 engines, 2 tankers, 1 brush fire unit, 1 utility vehicle, 1 fire rescue boat, 1 16’ john boat, 1 wave runner and a 16’ enclosed trailer containing our breathing air refilling system and rescue support equipment.  We are staffed by 2 full-time, 14 part-time and 32 volunteer firefighters and EMT’s.  

 What does the future hold?  Continued growth in the fire district requires that the department grows to meet the demands for service.  We have recently ordered a new  Quint fire apparatus with a 2000 GPM pump and a 75’ aerial ladder from Seagrave Fire Apparatus of Clintonville, WI.  Anticipated delivery of the new truck is August, 2002.  This truck is designed as a multi-purpose vehicle with firefighting and rescue capabilities.  The aerial ladder is necessary for access to and rescue from the upper floors and roofs of the many large dwellings, condominiums and other significant structures in our district. 

 Efforts are well underway to prepare the department for an evaluation by the Insurance Services Office in order to obtain a lower fire insurance classification for the district.  This should be completed in late 2001 or early 2002.   A lower classification will mean lower insurance premiums for property owners in the district.  

 NOFD is also initiating an aggressive effort to better identify and market our department to the community to emphasize our presence and attract and retain volunteer members.  The NOFD is a “substantially volunteer” fire department and depends heavily on residents of our community to serve as firefighters in order to deliver an effective service.  You will see signs at the boundaries and at both stations that identify the district and carry the slogan “Neighbors Serving Our Community.”  

The Fire District is planning a new fire station to replace the present Station 2 on KY 1793.  We are working with area land owners to obtain a site of approximately 4 acres fore the station.  We have outgrown the present Station 2.  The Chief’s office is located in a small trailer at the rear of the building.  Apparatus and equipment are crammed inside the station’s bays.  Very little room exists for training and administrative functions.  A new facility would be designed to meet our existing needs as well as future growth.  It would also be designed as an attractive, yet practical facility that blends in well within the community.  It would be a facility the entire community can be proud of.  

We are proud of the accomplishments of all the members of the NOFD as well as all who have served before.  The citizens of Skylight planted a seed in 1951 and it has grown steadily for 50 years.  We look forward to the next 50 years with excitement and enthusiasm.  We are proud to be “Neighbors serving our Community.”