Fighting fires since 1869 Henry County Museum holds event highlighting the history of Mt. Pleasant’s fire department

MT. PLEASANT - Firefighter Joe Campbell has spent most of his life in a firestation. On Saturday, Campbell spoke to a small crowd about the changes the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, as well as fire fighting techniques and equipment have changed over time.

The Henry County Heritage Trust hosted an event featuring the history of the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department on Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Henry County Museum. Campbell, the fire department's historian spoke to a small crowd of 15 people and detailed how the department as well as fire equipment has evolved through time.

Campbell began working in fire stations at the age of 16 on the south side of Chicago under a cadet program. He began working with the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department in the mid-80s, giving him 45 years of experience. He hopes to hit 50 years of service before retiring.

Campbell's main duty as part of the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department is ensuring the airpack systems that firefighters use for oxygen are charged and refilled for use. The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department is comprised of volunteers that meet every Wednesday to train and prepare for emergency calls. According to Campbell, the department receives 110 rescue and fire calls.

In his presentation, Campbell noted that the history of the first department is closely related to the history of the town. The first fire engine, a coffin engine, was bought for $300 following the Civil War. As pressurized water systems were introduced to the town in 1883, firefighters were able to begin utilizing the system to fight fires.

'Mt. Pleasant Utilities really played an integral part,” Campbell noted.

Campbell also detailed the ways fire was fought in the times of horses and wagons, explaining that firefighters would put ladders up to the highest point of a fire and tear the parts of a building that were on fire to the ground to extinguish them there. During his presentation, Campbell also noted several important figures including O.T. Wilson and the first recorded fire fatality in Mt. Pleasant, which occurred in 1942 and ended with the death of an Iowa Wesleyan student.

Campbell began looking into the departments history as part of its 125th anniversary in 1994. After being placed on the historical committee, Campbell continued to research and has remained the department's historian. He said that he gets especially excited to do presentation for adult audiences.

'I really do it to highlight two things. First so that people know where their tax dollars go and that they are at work and the city of Mt. Pleasant does a good job with them. And I also always want to highlight the other local fire departments that have really been a great help to us,” Campbell said.

Locals who attended the event expressed their gratitude to Campbell about the services the fire department provides.

Barb Welander, a Mt. Pleasant resident, said during the question and answer portion of the presentation that she felt people didn't understand 'the work and dedication they put in.”

Mary Camm said she attended the event because the fire department has been instrumental in helping to keep her family safe.

'They've come out to help us five times,” she said, including once when her husband fell off a ladder and was bleeding profusely and hurt.

'They really get out there so fast and we are just so thankful to them,” Camm said.