The Origins of the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department
On April 8, 1902 Oakland officially became an independent borough and set out into the uncharted waters of creating a viable political entity and government for of 586 people within 9.2 square miles. None of the things and services of Oakland we take for granted today existed, including a fire department. There were neither fire codes nor firemen for a community that used wood and coal for heating and candles and oil or kerosene lamps for light. Those were dangerous times as an errant spark typically brought a fiery ruin to the home or barn. Attempts to save people and buildings were limited to a hastily formed and ineffective bucket brigade of concerned neighbors. History records that in November, 1903 a major fire was discovered at the large barn of the Calder estate then located where the Coppertree Mall is currently situated. Although and informal alarm was sounded and a bucket brigade was formed, it was a futile attempt. In that it was the largest fire in Oakland to date, the need for a fire department in Oakland became apparent. But because there was town building to do and other priorities at the time, the formation of a fire department had to wait. However, the discussions and the need were not extinguished as six years later on June 10,1909 a informal meeting was held at Ivy Hall, the then Oakland municipal building, to create a volunteer fire department in Oakland. Ludo Wilkins, the owner of the Wilkins Brush Factory in Oakland, was appointed as the first fire chief. And he served six terms as chief until 1916. It needs to be noted that the initial formation of the fire department in 1909 was a serious but informal affair and would not be officially associated with Oakland for another 2 1/2 years. In December, 1911 the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department was officially born with the passage of an ordinance by the mayor and council establishing it as a formal part of this borough. Over the years maintaining the number of effective firemen was not without an occasional problem. By 1920 interest in the fire department began to lag, and more often than not, a quorum could not be obtained for meetings. This manpower shortage threatened the very existence of the OVFD. That unfortunate situation would continue until Harry Gale McNomee began a successful campaign to re-ignite interest. McNomee became fire commissioner, the only exempt fireman ever to hold the office. He served five years, during which time many highly useful facilities and pieces of equipment, both for fighting fire and for the protection of the firemen, were purchased. The OVFD suffered another severe manpower shortage during WW II as the men of Oakland went off to war. The complement of active firemen was reduced to eight volunteers with typically only two available during working hours. Consequently seniors and women were recruited to serve in the Oakland Fire Reserves in the thirteen fire districts to assist in fire fighting and to also serve in the event of an air raid.
