Fire Department
Slinger
Est. 1888
Our History
The Slinger Fire Department, located in the heart of the village of Slinger, has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1888 as the “Washington Fire Company of Schleisingerville”. For nearly a century and a half, we have been dedicated to safeguarding our community from fire hazards and other dangers. In 1912, the department reorganized and renamed itself to the “Schleisingerville Fire Department”. In 1921, the department’s name was shortened to “Slinger Fire Department” after the village adopted an ordinance to change the name to Slinger.
The Early Years
In 1889, it was decided that for each active member, a fireman’s outfit would be issued, consisting of a fire helmet, badge, and belt.
It was not uncommon for firemen to only respond to a handful of calls a year, sometimes only one. Social events, like the Fourth of July were special occasions that would bring the members together and they would march in uniform for the citizens as well as put on a display of fireworks.
In 1897, it was decided that all fire insurance companies that received money from the citizens and land owners for insuring against fire should pay two percent premiums to fund an engine company and a hook and ladder company. The bill for the first hook and ladder wagon cost only $42.61.
In the 1920s, members with telephones were contacted in case of a fire call. From there, they would have to disseminate information to others who did not have a phone. The department also voted in favor of purchasing an electric siren to be placed on the roof to alert members of a call.
Clintonville 4 Wheel Drive
1962 Slinger Firefighters
Important Dates
September 10, 1935 – The truck committee purchased Slinger’s first motorized fire truck. They bought a 1935 Ford chassis with a flat-head V8 engine for $556.77 and a Peter Pirsch Co. pumper body and equipment for $2,100.
February 11, 1947 – Motion was accepted that the department should buy a fresh air mask with two extra twenty-five-foot lengths of hose. This would have been the first air mask purchased by the department for firefighting purposes.
September 12, 1950 – The department voted all members must live within the village of Slinger
November 11, 1952 – The truck committee reported that a new Clintonville 4 Wheel Drive (FWD) had been purchased with a 500-gallon pump, 450-gallon water tank, and a 240-horsepower engine. It would be equipped with 400 feet of 1-inch four-ply hose on two hose reels. The cost was $14,391. The fire department had sold the FWD, but purchased it back when it was restored and still own it today.
November 10, 1970 – A motion was carried that the department furnish a full set of firefighting apparel to each member and construct lockers to store their equipment.
August 8, 1978 – The truck committee presented to the members a bid for a new pumper truck and after a vote, the truck color would be changed from red to lime yellow.
September 9, 1980 – The department voted and approved the purchase of 44 Motorola pagers. This was the department’s first paging system.
April 13, 1982 – A Slinger landmark which served a village of many years as a school house, municipal building, and firehouse was demolished. Paving the way for construction of a new fire house.
December 8, 1992 – The National Fire Protection Association passed new regulation which stated no more riding on tail boards of trucks.
July 11, 2000 – A motion was made and carried to purchase the department’s first thermal imaging camera from Bullard Company
December 2000 – The Washington County Chiefs Association created a Standard Operating Guideline for the introduction of a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT). The purpose of the RIT was to provide rapid rescue for structural firefighting crews operating at emergency scenes.
November 12, 2002 – A discussion and motion were made to purchase 22 new Drager SCBA air racks and 44 new air masks.
August 12, 2003 – The Washington County Dive Team was formed with a donation of five sets of dive gear from the Mann family. This team was formed by the Sheriff’s Office and the Washington County Fire Chiefs’ Association.
June 8, 2004 – Keith Franz who is the director of the Venerable Fire Collection on Hillside Road informed the membership that our Gleason and Bailey hand pumper was now displayed at his museum.
August 20, 2007 – Active fire Chief Bob Schaefer passed away. He had 28 years of service, 15 of which were as Fire Chief.
May 26, 2008 – A dedication for the new addition to the firehouse was held.
October 12, 2010 – Washington County became a member of MABAS (Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Division 111). MABAS is a pre-determined mutual aid agreement that may be used for deploying fire, rescue, and emergency medical services personnel in a multi-jurisdictional and/or multi-agency response.
June 20, 2013 – A bell ceremony was held at 9:30 a.m., with all members wearing Class A uniforms to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Slinger Fire Department.
The photo of our Gleason and Bailey hand pumper in use is from circa 1900 - 1910 and shows a house fire in the village of Schleisingerville (Slinger). In the picture, you can see a gentleman standing on top of the hand pumper. He would tap his foot in a cadence to tell the men on the handles how hard to pump. The faster he tapped his foot, the faster the men would pump the handles and the more water would be pumped onto the fire. This hand pumper was restored by the Kletti family and then donated to The Venerable Fire Collection. The pumper was built by the Gleason and Bailey Co. from Seneca Falls, N.Y.