Timeline

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

199   – Dudley’s Florist fire

         – Atlas Truck & Trailer fire

2010 – Sly Fox fire

2011 – Parkland Place fire

2012 – O’Ames Warehouse fire – old Camden Ave