 August
31, 1969 was a proud day for the new fire department.
An open house was held to show the community its new
fire station and fire trucks. In a little over a year,
the plan to provide fire protection had become a reality.
The community officially had a fire department.
While
the Pelham Batesville Fire Department was off to a good
start, times were lean and funds were earned largely
from various efforts of the department's members in various
fund raising campaigns and donations.
 At times, money
was so short that firemen would take up a collection
after a fire to pay for gasoline so the trucks would
be able to respond to the next emergency.
One could easily be let to speculate that by this time
the reality of trying to survive might have dimmed the
glow of success from the start. Nevertheless, members
persisted and the fire department continued. |
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