The thought of there being a fire department in Mongo was the dream-child of the Mongo Lions Club as early as the winter of 1953.  However, even as early as 1947, three Mongo businessmen traveled to Indianapolis to inquire about obtaining an Army surplus fire truck, which a veteran could obtain, but all of the available trucks were ton and a half which was larger than they were looking for at the time.

    Much planning went into the actual formation of the fire department.  The planning stages took place through the winter of 1954 to the spring of 1955.  On March 2, 1955 the offices of the Lions Club met at Preston's Popcorn Company to decide upon the directors, secretary, treasure, and the fire chief.  They chose Roy Wilson for chairman of the directors, Roger Perkins as secretary/treasurer and Alvin Weiss and Frank Horner as directors.  Kenneth Myers was chosen as the new fire chief.  Kenneth Myers appointed Lions Club Member Hildon Notestine as his assistant chief.  The papers legalizing the department were notarized by Notary Mabel L. Notestine that same day.  The department was then incorporated in September of 1955.

    The site for the new firehouse was chosen to be directly behind the old Knights of Pythias Hall, commonly known as the Mongo Town Hall.  Before the building was erected, three of the Lions Club members drove to Garrett, Indiana and purchased a 1931 Dodge open-cabbed wooden-spoke-wheeled fire truck from their fire department for $363.00.  This was paid for by donations from four of the Lions Club members.

    Following the purchase, Lions Club members Denver Preston and Hildon Notestine made the trip to retrieve the quarter-century old truck from Garrett.  Hildon had the honor of driving the truck to its new home and from south of the curve to the Chief's grocery store he had the siren wailing!  The sound scared old Mr. Hentzle so bad that he ran up town all the way from his filling station, south of the bridge, because he thought Myers' grocery store was on fire.  The truck rested patiently in the Weiss trucking garage until the new fire station was complete.

    The whole community, with the exception of two local farmers, were in favor of the new fire department.  In fact, Mr. Rinkell from the mill at Greenfield Mills donated the original siren.  Our first fire call was at the home of one of the farmers who had originally opposed the department being formed.  He quickly changed his tune about the community's need of a fire department!

    The fire department quickly became a great part of the community and has worked hand-in-hand with the Mongo United Methodist Church over the years.  There has been a succession of nine fire chiefs in the department's history.  Four of the past chiefs are now deceased.  With the death of Hildon Notestine in 1997, the original roster of the fire department had been cleared.  The fire chiefs in order of succession have been:

    1.  Kenneth Myers
    2.  Hildon Notestine
    3.  Bernard Weiss
    4.  Burdette Haag
    5.  Don Myers
    6.  Hildon Notestine
    7.  Willie Stewart
    8.  Mike Keith
    9.  Jeff McNabb

    Over the years a second building was added to the fire department and sits directly in front of the original building on the site of the old town hall.  Breakfasts and dinners for the community have been the primary support of the department's annual expenses.  The first pancake and sausage breakfast was sponsored by Mr. Rinkell.  Today, bi-annual fish and chicken fries are held as well as breakfasts coinciding with the opening of the different hunting seasons.  These events are famous in the area and attendees come from both near and far to eat and share in the good times.

    Our equipment has changed mightily from the one wood-spoked truck of our past.  Today, we have a 1997 Rescue Unit, a 1975 brush truck for grass fires, a 1974 pumper, a 2000 tanker, a 2000 CAFS unit, and the newest equipment member of our department, a 2007 pumper.  The purchaes of the 2000 tanker and the 2000 CAFS unit were made possible by the Build Indiana Funds.  The 2007 pumper has been made possible by a FEMA grant.  We were also given a 2006 Ranger from a US Smokeless Tobacco Company.  The ranger enables us to better serve those that are in need of medical assistance where a rescue unit is unable to venture and also expands our equipment for handling brush and grass fires.

    Today, more than 50 years after its beginning, the Mongo Volunteer Fire Department is filled with many honorable men and women firefighters - some even second or third generation -, first responders, and medics who are still dedicated to helping those in need. 

Written By: Ilah Parker Notestine, Mongo Historian
Edited and Posted By: Erin Williams, Website Designer and Developer
Pictures to come......