Burlingame Fire Dist #6

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Burlingame Fire Department HistoryFrom the Osage County Chronicle, June 15, 1911This notice from the Osage County Chroni...
06/15/2026

Burlingame Fire Department History
From the Osage County Chronicle, June 15, 1911

This notice from the Osage County Chronicle provides an interesting look at one of the benefits of serving as a volunteer firefighter in early Burlingame.

The article announced that all men between the ages of 21 and 50 were required to pay a city poll tax of $3.00. However, one group was specifically exempt:

"Members of the fire company who are by ordinance exempt..."

At a time when many communities relied entirely on volunteer firefighters, exemptions such as this were one way cities recognized the time, effort, and personal sacrifice required of those who served. While firefighters responded to alarms, attended meetings, maintained equipment, and participated in community events, they often received little or no compensation for their service.

This small newspaper notice serves as a reminder that volunteer firefighters have long played an important role in the community. More than a century ago, Burlingame's citizens recognized that service by granting firefighters an exemption from a tax that most other men were required to pay.

It's a fascinating glimpse into how communities supported and encouraged volunteer fire service long before the modern era.

Burlingame Fire Department HistoryFrom the Osage County Chronicle, June 14, 1877This brief notice from the Osage County ...
06/14/2026

Burlingame Fire Department History
From the Osage County Chronicle, June 14, 1877

This brief notice from the Osage County Chronicle documents an important milestone in the early history of the Burlingame Fire Department:

"The City Council have had an engine room built adjoining the old court-house building, which is now done and ready for the fire department."

While this new engine room provided the department with a dedicated home, it soon became a source of frustration for firefighters. The building was constructed adjacent to the old courthouse, which stood approximately at what is now the southeast corner of the Schuyler Museum grounds. At the time, all fire equipment was hand-pulled, and firefighters felt the location was too far from the downtown business district where many of the community's fire risks existed.

Over the following decades, fire equipment would be relocated and housed at several different locations throughout downtown Burlingame in an effort to improve response times and better serve the community.

It's a reminder that even in the 1870s, firefighters were already debating station locations, response times, and the best way to protect the town. Some challenges never seem to change, even if today's apparatus have a few more horsepower than a hand-drawn fire engine.

06/13/2026

Thunderstorm chances increase this afternoon and evening. Some of the storms may be severe and produce heavy rainfall which could lead to flooding. This round of thunderstorm activity ends late tonight.

Burlingame Fire Department HistoryFire of June 4, 1938Reported in the Enterprise-Chronicle, June 9, 1938A fire at the ho...
06/12/2026

Burlingame Fire Department History
Fire of June 4, 1938
Reported in the Enterprise-Chronicle, June 9, 1938

A fire at the home of C. V. Farrar on June 4, 1938, marked an important milestone for the Burlingame Fire Department.

The fire was caused by a spark from a chimney and burned a small hole in the kitchen roof. Firefighters responded quickly and extinguished the blaze within approximately three minutes after arriving on scene.

Of particular note was the successful use of the department's new firefighting apparatus, which had arrived about a month earlier. This incident was the first known fire response involving Burlingame's new 1938 pumper, the same apparatus that survives today and is preserved in the Burlingame Historical Museum.

Water delivered under high pressure from the booster tank was sufficient to extinguish the fire while minimizing water damage to the home. Fortunately, the damage was limited and repairs were completed the same day.

While the fire itself was relatively minor, the incident served as an important test of the department's newest apparatus. The quick extinguishment and limited property damage demonstrated the capabilities of modern firefighting equipment that was becoming available to small-town volunteer fire departments during the 1930s.

Today, visitors to the Burlingame Historical Museum can still see the very apparatus that responded to this call nearly ninety years ago. What is now a treasured piece of local history was once the department's newest and most advanced firefighting equipment, answering its first known fire on a June morning in 1938.

Burlingame Fire Department HistoryFrom the Enterprise-Chronicle, June 16, 1938An unusual emergency kept Burlingame firef...
06/11/2026

Burlingame Fire Department History
From the Enterprise-Chronicle, June 16, 1938

An unusual emergency kept Burlingame firefighters busy in June 1938 when a flooded basement led to a gas explosion and fire at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Thew.

According to the Enterprise-Chronicle, heavy rains had partially flooded the basement of the former Charles Lyons residence west of the city park. Decades earlier, the home had been illuminated by an acetylene gas system. Although the lighting system had long since been removed, some calcium carbide remained on the basement floor. When floodwaters reached the carbide, gas was generated and accumulated in the basement.

Mrs. Thew was attempting to light a coal heater to help dry the basement when the gas ignited, causing an explosion. Fortunately, she escaped with only minor burns to her face and arms. The resulting fire involved clotheslines that had been strung in the basement, and Burlingame firefighters responded by flooding the basement to extinguish the blaze.

The newspaper concluded with a touch of humor, noting that the Thew family had endured "two floods, an explosion and a fire" all in the same day.

Burlingame Fire Department HistoryFrom the Osage County Chronicle, June 10, 1909In 1909, city leaders were once again lo...
06/10/2026

Burlingame Fire Department History
From the Osage County Chronicle, June 10, 1909

In 1909, city leaders were once again looking for ways to improve the Burlingame Fire Department's ability to respond quickly to emergencies.

According to the Osage County Chronicle, one proposed improvement was the construction of a new building on city-owned property immediately west of the city building. The plan called for the fire apparatus to be housed in a structure with an opening onto Santa Fe Avenue, allowing the department's equipment to be deployed without delay when needed.

The article specifically noted that the purpose of the project was to ensure that "no time will be lost in getting the fire machinery out when it is needed." Under the proposal, the rear portion of the existing city building would then be used to store city equipment and tools.

Interestingly, this was not the city's first plan. An earlier proposal called for an addition to be built onto the rear of the city building, and bricks for that project had reportedly been purchased months earlier. By June 1909, however, officials were considering a different design that would provide more direct access to Santa Fe Avenue and improve response times.

This article highlights a recurring theme found throughout Burlingame's early fire service history. For decades, city officials and firefighters debated where fire apparatus should be housed and how it could be positioned for the fastest possible response. During this era, fire equipment was hand-pulled by firefighters and volunteers, making every second and every block between the apparatus and the fire important. A station opening directly onto Santa Fe Avenue would reduce delays and allow crews to get equipment into service more quickly.

This proposal also connects to earlier articles from the 1870s, 1880s, and 1890s that discussed concerns about station location and the difficulty of getting apparatus into service quickly. More than a century later, the same principle still guides fire station design: reducing response times and getting firefighters and equipment on the road as quickly and safely as possible.

06/10/2026

Thunderstorms could develop along a weak cold front between 3 and 10 pm today. If storms form, they could be capable of large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall. Additional chances for storms and severe weather are forecast for Thursday and Saturday.

Burlingame Fire Department HistoryJune 3 & June 6, 1879The summer of 1879 marked a significant milestone in the history ...
06/09/2026

Burlingame Fire Department History
June 3 & June 6, 1879

The summer of 1879 marked a significant milestone in the history of the Burlingame Fire Department.

On June 3, 1879, a newspaper reported:

"The Burlingame Fire Department this morning filed articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State. There are two companies in the department: Rescue No. 1 and Welcome No. 2."

Just three days later, on June 6, The Kansas Daily Tribune reported that the incorporation had officially been filed with the Kansas Secretary of State. Listed as incorporators were:

• R. F. Playford
• L. E. Finch
• Charles P. Drew
• O. H. Nelson
• D. N. Smith
• C. H. Taylor
• W. D. Canfield

While organized fire protection had already existed in Burlingame for several years, these articles document the formal incorporation of the department and provide one of the earliest surviving records of its organization.

The articles also reveal that the department consisted of two companies, Rescue No. 1 and Welcome No. 2. Volunteer fire departments of the nineteenth century often organized into separate companies, each with its own leadership, traditions, and responsibilities. Although little is currently known about these two companies, their names represent some of the earliest identified organizations within the Burlingame Fire Department.

One name in particular stands out among the incorporators: Charles P. Drew, who would later appear in numerous newspaper accounts as Chief Engineer of the department and one of the leading figures in Burlingame's early fire service.

Today, nearly 150 years later, the Burlingame Fire Department continues the mission established by these early volunteers. Their commitment to protecting the community laid the foundation for generations of firefighters who followed.

Burlingame Fire Department HistoryFire of June 9, 1939Reported in the Enterprise-Chronicle, June 15, 1939On Friday, June...
06/09/2026

Burlingame Fire Department History
Fire of June 9, 1939
Reported in the Enterprise-Chronicle, June 15, 1939

On Friday, June 9, 1939, the Burlingame Fire Department responded to a fire at the home of Mrs. Pearl Tubbs, known locally as the former Waldo place.

According to the Enterprise-Chronicle, the fire originated in the attic shortly after noon and caused considerable damage before firefighters were able to bring it under control. The blaze destroyed portions of the roof and a second-story storeroom. The newspaper reported that a defective chimney was believed to be the cause.

Unfortunately, the fire was only the beginning of the property's troubles. Before repairs could be made, a heavy rainstorm moved through the area that evening, allowing water to enter through the damaged roof and cause additional damage to portions of the home that had escaped the fire.

Fortunately, the property was insured.

Burlingame Fire Department HistoryFrom the Burlingame Herald, June 9, 1883This editorial from the Burlingame Herald pose...
06/09/2026

Burlingame Fire Department History
From the Burlingame Herald, June 9, 1883

This editorial from the Burlingame Herald posed a pointed question to the citizens and leaders of Burlingame:

"Is our fire engine in order? Who has charge of it, and if a fire should break out are we prepared in every way to fight it?"

The editor warned that hot, dry summer weather was approaching and that a stray spark could quickly threaten homes and businesses throughout town. He then concluded with a simple challenge:

"Attend to this, somebody."

This was not an isolated comment. During the 1880s, the editor frequently criticized city leaders for what he viewed as inadequate support of the fire department. Several editorials questioned the condition of the town's firefighting equipment and urged the city to invest in improved apparatus and facilities to better protect the growing community.

These articles provide a fascinating glimpse into early fire protection in Burlingame. Long before modern fire stations, apparatus replacement schedules, and municipal budgets, citizens were already debating whether their community was doing enough to prepare for the next fire.

More than 140 years later, the discussion sounds surprisingly familiar. Firefighters still advocate for reliable apparatus, proper equipment, and adequate funding to protect the people they serve.

Address

206 N Dacotah Street
Burlingame, KS
66413

Telephone

+17856542407

Website

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