Our History
Our department was founded in 1988, with a 1952 American LaFrance pumper, similar to the one pictured to the lower right, donated by a sister department (Collinsville VFD) and a building built with donations from the people of the district. We were awarded a class 9 rating in 1989.
In 1992 we were assigned a class "A" E-One pumper from Lauderdale County, and the tired old LaFrance was sent to an honorable retirement.
At that time we also received our pumper/tanker, which ensures an adequate supply of fire fighting water anywhere in our district. The old tanker, shown at the right, was scrapped.
With the addition of these units, were able to achieve a class 8 rating, which is the highest that an all-volunteer department can achieve.
Martin Volunteer Fire Department
The old Kaiser Tanker. A milk truck tank on a surplus Army 6 X 6. Trust me, you really did not want to drive this beast! If you were lucky, the front wheels would hit the ground once every fifty feet or so.
Our 1952 American LaFrance was similar to this truck. Open top cab, V-12 engine, straight cut gears in the transmission. And no power steering meant that you really had to want to fight fires to drive this one!!