History (Photo History)

The problem of organizing for protection against fire was not given much thought until 1874 when A.C. Young and a group of associates organized a hook and ladder company. Mr. Young was given City Council authorized to contract for hand drawn hook and ladder truck. The Council approved $450.00 toward the purchase of the new truck. It was built locally by Mr. M.A. Jones and Huntington's first fire company was born. In August of 1874, City Council passed an ordinance establishing the City of Huntington Fire Department to consist of an engine company, a hose company and the previously formed hook and ladder company. Mr. S. Sexton was named Fire Chief and the personnel were all volunteer. 

In 1881 four Gamewell Fire Alarm boxes were installed in the downtown area and were maintained by the local telephone company. As the system expanded, a fire alarm station was established at Central Fire Station from 1914 to 1929. In 1929 a new Gamewell Fire Alarm System and the City of Huntington Fire Department, Fire Alarm Headquarters were constructed. The system remained in service until November, 1986. The Gamewell Fire Alarm System served the City of Huntington faithfully for 105 years without ever having a loss of life or major disaster attributed to a system malfunction. The Fire Alarm Headquarters now serves as the Huntington Fire Museum, Inc. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of Captain Paul Black (Ret.), Fire Fighter Mort Gould (Ret.) the entire Gamewell Fire Alarm System is preserved as it was the day it was retired from service. The Huntington Fire Museum, Inc. is available for tours by appointment. Contact Captain Paul Black at (304) 697-6813 for your private group tour. 

In 1897 the City of Huntington Fire Department was reorganized with a paid Fire Chief, four drivers and a force of call men who were paid by the alarm of fire and were allowed to work at their regular jobs until an alarm of fire was sounded. This marked the end of the volunteer, non paid era. In the years from 1913 to 1915 five pieces of motorized equipment were purchased for the department. In April, 1926 the era of the dashing horse drawn fire apparatus came to a close. The last two teams of horses were led away from Hose Companies No. 5 in Guyandotte and No. 6 in Walnut Hills. In February, 1929 Huntington's fire fighters were issued a charter establishing a local union. Under the International Association of Fire Fighters, Huntington's fire fighters were given the 289th local in the U.S. and Canada.