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Moorhead

Fire Dept

111 12th St N

Moorhead MN 56560

(218) 299-5432

Moorhead's first fire department was organized by 37 volunteers in 1872. In 1882 the Eagle Hose Company was formed and was followed shortly by the Hook and Ladder Company. The city owned one hand drawn hose cart and one hand drawn ladder unit.

In 1883 the fire patrol was formed to assist firefighters in on-scene security and relief work for those displaced by fires, and the city hosted the State Fire Department Convention in 1885.

A horse drawn hose wagon and a hook and ladder wagon were added in 1892 and 1895, respectively, and two full time drivers were employed, working 156 hours per week.

The Eagle Hose Company and Hook and Ladder Company were merged together in 1917 to form the Moorhead Fire Department.
On June 6th, 1918 a suspicious fire destroyed the existing station while the crew was called to a false alarm on the outskirts of the city. In building a new station, one horse drawn wagon was replaced by a combination chemical tank and hose carrying truck. The other wagon was replaced in 1920 with a hook and ladder truck shortly before hosting their second State Fire Department Convention.

More equipment came quickly with a second hose truck in 1924; the first pumper, 350 gallon-per-minute Reo in 1926; a 1000 gallon-per minute Buffalo pumper in 1937 (Currently a parade truck); a 1000 gallon-per-minute Pirsch pumper in 1949; a Ford ladder truck and a utility van in 1965; two 1250 gallon-per-minute General pumpers in 1970, and a Chevy 1-ton pick-up/rescue truck in 1977. Current rolling stock is described in our vehicles page.

A Fire prevention bureau was added in 1953. City expansion led to the opening of the Southside Station in 1971.

A fire resulting in the death of a small child due to trains blocking crossings into North Moorhead prompted the relocating of Headquarters Station North and East in 1973.

An administrative annex was build in 1983 aside the Headquarters Station and accommodates other
code enforcement staff as well.

In 1982 City budget problems resulted in lay-offs that reduced staffing from 10 personnel per-shift to the current level of 9 personnel-per shift. Although regularly requested, the staff have yet to be replaced.
Further information on the history of the Department and the City may be found at the Clay County Historical Society, 202 1st Avenue North Moorhead MN 56560 (218) 233-4604.

"Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."*

Last modified: August 02, 2007