Fire Department

Mission:

The mission of Thurston County Fire Protection District #12 is to protect and preserve the lives and property of the citizens of Thurston County Fire Protection District #12 to the best of our ability with the equipment and training provided us.

Organization’s History:

The Ordinance creating the Department (which was called Tenino Fire Department then)  was number 38, and Tenino had been incorporated for only three years. 

The original fire department equipment purchased by the town included a couple of hose carts, a few hundred feet of hose, a few nozzles, and not much else. The fire crew consisted of a Fire Chief and “whoever showed up”. “There was no fire training for nearly four years of the Department’s early history. Later a fire truck had joined the hose carts in a space shared with the jail under City Hall (where the old police department was located prior to their new station being built).

The Fire Chief for the first forty years was Leslie J. Johnson, who was appointed to the job in 1906 by Mayor Henry Keithahn, even before the town had any fire equipment. Johnson served until his death in 1945. He was replaced by his son Daryl.

The fire department was reorganized in 1952 after a fire destroyed A.D. Campbell’s barn on the outskirts of town. There was considerable controversy at the time about how the fire fighting was carried out. The lack of fire fighting training was considered a major contributing factor.

Freelan Cox was elected Fire Chief of the newly-organized department with Al Hacker as Assistant Chief. Regular meetings were scheduled and all members of the department were given training through the State Fire Service Training Program. The department joined the Capitol Fire Fighters Association and the Thurston County Fire Chiefs Association and a mutual aid system was implemented.

The new department inherited a 1941 war surplus International truck with a 500 gallon per minute front mount pump. It had a 350 gallon water tank, two booster hose reels and a modest amount of 1 ½ and 2 ½ inch hose.

There were no fire radios at the time and the siren system was activated at the Jiffy Lunch Ship, which was the only place in town open 24 hours a day. A fire report was called in to the Jiffy and the siren would be sounded. One of the firemen would call the Jiffy to get the location of the fire and then write it on the blackboard at the fire hall. Fire phones were added later at City Hall and at the homes of Ewart Peterson and Dick Watson as a backup to the Jiffy.

Al Hacker took over Fire Chief in 1955 when Freelen Cox resigned and remained in that position until 1963 when Assistant Chief Jack Livingston took over. During the 50’s and early 60’s the Tenino Eagles Aerie bought an ambulance and resuscitator for the Department and the first effort was made toward providing emergency medical service.

In 1962 Fire District #12 was formed to provide the first rural fire protection in the area. Verl Ritter was a prime mover in this effort, and himself purchased the first fire truck for the district. The first Commissioners of the district were Verl, Del Crimmins, and Clarence Whited. Bud Colvin and Harold Imler also were commissioners in the early years of the district.

The early 60’s also saw the building of the first part of the present fire station, a three bay station build entirely by volunteer labor. The site of the building was the location of the home of Mayor Keithahn and was donated to the Department by the Keithahn family. Prior to its construction, the first fire truck was stored in the old A.D. Campbell  warehouse building now owned by the Tenino Telephone Company.

In 1965 Ed Lycan replaced Jack Livingston as Fire Chief, with Verl Ritter taking on the job of Assistant Chief. IN the late 60’s the department added Plectrons to alert the firemen on the fire calls, as well as chain saws, breathing apparatus, bunker gear and other equipment. Also added was a Dodge 4x4 ambulance and CB radios.

After Ed Lycan came Tom Whalen, Frank Anderson, and presently Robin Duncan as Fire Chief appointed by the Fire Commissioner’s in 1993.

Today:

At present Thurston County Fire Protection District  #12, as its been called since 1988 covers approximately 44 square miles of area. Has 3 full time paid staff, 33 dedicated volunteer’s that provide fire and Emergency Medical Services.

Fire District #12 provides services to the town of Tenino via a contract. There are 3 active station’s. The main station in town located on Hodgden Street, one on old Hwy 99, and the other located on the Skookumchuck Road. We answer approximately 780 alarms per year, 24 hours a day.

New Projects:

The Fire District recently purchased a piece of property located on the corner of Old 99 and Tilley road as a water source. We currently are in the process of putting a 33, 000 gallon water tank on the property with a hydrant. This will not only help to lower insurance rates but also serve our district as well as neighboring districts having access to water out in the district. Currently living on that property are two district 12 volunteer Firefighter / EMT’s, which allows a quicker response in that area.

For More Information, Please Contact

Janet Duncan, Asst. Chief - F.D. #12

149 Hodgden Street South

PO Box 4010

Tenino, WA  98589

Tel: (360) 264-4116
FAX: 

Email: jduncan1203@comcast.net

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This site was last updated on:  Monday, October 11, 2010 04:30 PM