The City of St. Joseph plans to recognize the Fire Department for 150 years of service this week.

On Friday, August 7 a proclamation ceremony to recognize the conception of the St. Joseph Fire Department, as well as celebrate its 150th anniversary will be held. The ceremony will begin at 2:30pm, in Civic Center Park, 1100 Frederick Avenue.

The fire department will receive proclamations from the city of St. Joseph, Governor Nixon, and both the Missouri House and Senate. The public is invited to attend and can visit with firefighters
and view a display of firefighter equipment.

After purchasing the department’s first steam engine in May 1865, a committee appointed by the City Council recommended the organization of the department on August 7, 1865. The St Joseph
Fire Department is recognized as one of the one hundred oldest departments in the nation, and one of the five oldest departments west of the Mississippi River. In the early 1900s, the department was recognized as one the most progressive and innovative departments around.

The City said today’s members of the St. Joseph Fire Department still strive to meet those objectives as they face not only the challenges of fire suppression and prevention, they now provide services in medical first responders, hazardous materials, water/ice rescue, specialized rescues and incident command.