The Senecaville Volunteer Fire Department was organized about 1927. The first fire apparatus the department used was a two wheel fire tank which was purchased by the village. This two wheel tank was our main source of fire protection for many years. On December 4, 1945 a large fire destroyed the Presbyterian Church on Main Street. This disaster prompted the Village Council to place a bond issue  for better fire equipment on the ballot in 1949. Presbyterian church, circa 1945
New Willy's Jeep, circa 1949 The issue passed and on November 7, 1949 a Willy's Jeep Pumper and trailer tank were purchased from Marietta Motor Mart. The new unit was capable of pumping 500 gpm and is still in service today.

  

Andy Olshawsky was made the first Fire Chief, and all male residents of the village were expected to respond to fire calls. Village Council rented a building to house the fire truck and trailer. In 1950 the first firehouse was erected on public ground.

In 1952, it was decided that a more active participation was needed by a trained group. The mayor C.O. Harding, requested that Roger Miley become Acting Fire Chief and organize a workable crew. On October 4, 1952, an ordinance was passed to limit the number of Volunteer Fire Department members to 30 with a salary of $1.00 per year paid to each firefighter.

 
After this group was organized, the VFD purchased the first water tank truck which was used and had a capacity of 700 gallons. It was necessary to build an addition to the firehouse to house the new truck. In 1958 it was determined that the 700 gallon tank was not sufficient any longer so a 1000 gallon tanker was purchased. The VFD borrowed the money from a bank to purchase this truck and sponsored many activities including a minstrel to pay off the debt. In 1961 another addition was built on the firehouse for this truck. Svfd Personnel, circa 1958
Old Firehouse, circa 1974

 

 During the 1960's and 70's additional equipment was purchased as the need arose. The equipment on hand in the 60's included the Jeep Pumper, 1140 gallon tanker, 500 gallon tanker, 750 gpm Pumper, 4 wheel drive snowplow\grass unit\smoke chaser, 350 gallon Mini-Pumper, and a resuscitator. The resuscitator was needed because of our close proximity to Seneca Lake.

When consolidation of the school districts came about the Richland School Board voted to sell the school building to the VFD. Razing of the building began in 1968 by volunteer workers. The final burning and demolition took place in 1969, Some of the bricks from the old school house were saved and sold as souvenirs of "school days". Construction of a new firehouse was started in 1974. Dedication of new firehouse was held on October 30, 1975 with a party and dance for the entire area. Additional construction to increase the size of building began in the spring of 1981. This addition more than doubled the size of the original building and was equipped with a complete kitchen and office space.