Special
Exhibits:
Libby Volunteer Fire Department
Introduction
The Libby Volunteer Fire Department
was formed in 1911. The town was growing fast with lumber being its major
source of employment. The town purchased a bucket cart and some of the
business owners donated their time to become firefighters when fire broke
out. The streets at that time had no pavement so most of the time it
was mud.
The bucket
cart was drag down the streets by the firefighters to the scene
of the fire and brigade lines were formed from a watering trough
to the building and back to the trough. Over the years trucks
were added to bring the fire department up to date new equipment.
Lincoln
County Rural Fire District #1 was formed in 1957. Up until this
time the Fire Department was strictly a City department. The
Rural Fire District purchased equipment and stored it at the
firehall. The department became a dual fire department and the
members were able to help their neighbors and friends for a radius
of five miles from the firehall.
The exhibit contains a photo
display of various fires fought by the Libby Volunteer Fire Department,
an original LVFD bucket brigade fire wagon, a roster of fire fighters
by year, and a memorial dedicated to fireman Cory Clawson-a firefighter
killed in the line of duty. Additional exhibit items include a
display case with toys, medals, helmets and other fire department
related items.
Libby
Fire Department today
The City
of Libby Fire Dept. and Lincoln Co. Rural Fire District #1
provides fire protection, public education, fire prevention
and code management to the citizens of Libby and approximately
12 square miles in
the surrounding rural area.
The department
operates from one station located on Sixth Street between Mineral
Avenue and Montana Avenue. The department operates with 3 class
A engines, 3 water tenders, 1 4x4 wild land engine, utility van,
hose/boom truck combination and a 1500 GPM trash pump. This
emergency service is provided with 30 volunteers.
Department
training is held on Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. the first Thursday
of the month is a business meeting at 8:00 p.m. Additional
training provided by Montana Fire Service Training School, National
Fire Academy, U.S. Forest Service/Dept. of State Lands and other
emergency services is available and encouraged if desired.
Volunteer
fireman (and women) can
develop technical skills in the use of complicated fire fighting
and rescue equipment, as well as life-saving techniques. It
is an opportunity to gain valuable work experience and provide
a valuable community service through the protection of lives,
property and the environment.
The Libby Volunteer
Fire Department can be reached at:
Libby Volunteer Fire Department
119 E Sixth Street
P.O. Box 796
Libby, MT 59923
Do
you have items you can contribute to this exhibit?
Please contact us for more information.
Related Links:
Home | Exhibits | About
Us | Gift Shop | Links | Contact
Us |
