The history of the Mabank Fire Department
Before the Mabank Fire Department was organized, fire fighting in Mabank was accomplished by a bucket brigade. Reportedly this method was unorganized and ineffective as firefighters arrived to the scene tripping over each other with buckets of water.
After four downtown buildings were destroyed by fire, the city decided something needed to be done. In September 1920, the Mabank Fire Department was organized with 34 members and W. M. Covey served as the first Fire Chief.
The first firefighting equipment was a two wheeled cart, carrying two steel drums. Both drums held 30 gallons of a water, soda, and sulphuric acid mixture. This solution was discharged through a one-inch hose attached to the cart. 18 men would push and pull the cart to the location of the fire. The older men would start off pulling the cart while the younger men ran along the side ready to take over when the others tired out.
About a year later the department purchased a second-hand, Model " T " vehicle. The two drums were then fabricated to fit on the vehicle. Later the department purchased its second Model " T " truck to add to the fleet. This unit already had chemical drums and hoses attached to it.
In 1927, a fire station was built next to city hall (Old Hyde Building) at the cost of $1000.00. Then in 1929, the city installed its first water system and one of the old model “T “trucks was fabricated to carry a 1000 feet of hose.
The first pumper, a new model " A " truck, was purchased in 1929. The pump delivered 150 gallons of water per minute with increased pressure.
Before the implementation of an electric siren, department members were called to fire by shotgun reports. Three (3) shots in the air was the universal signal to notify the fire members. Later the " Fire Bell" was hung on the tower on the North side of the town’s main (Market) street. Later an electric siren was purchased and hung beside the bell. The bell stayed in service as a backup in case the town had power failure. Later the " Fire Phone" was established in all member's home.
In the middle of the 1980's the department built a fire station with three bays and a big meeting area. The department also made advancements in notification and purchased a paging system. This was a small radio carried on the firefighter’s side that would alarm the fire members that there was a fire. The procedure was that the first member to the station after obtaining the information from the " Fire Phone" would page out and report the location of the fire then set the siren off three times.
In 1989 the department raised enough funds to purchase its first extraction tool to assist in vehicle wrecks. The department then purchased their first set of bunker gear for members in the early 1990's.
In 1995 the department purchased its third new class " A " pumper. A new 1995 five-man cab KME freightliner truck, called "Number 17", signifying the 17th truck the Mabank Fire Department ever purchased. This new truck replaced "Number 7", a 1960s Chevy class " A " pumper, also know as the "Big Red" truck.
Throughout the years, the department outgrew its current fire station. The member’s sought out property and funding for a new fire station. In 1997, the department built their current fire station. It has ten bays, one large meeting area, living area with kitchen, seven offices and two small training rooms. The location was formerly Alison lumber company located at Mason and Second Street.
Between 2007-2008, the department built two more stations, purchased a ladder truck, a second engine and replaced a few more apparatuses. The department also started a new fire prevention program with “Clowns" and joined with the Kemp Fire Department to form a dive team.
The current department has over 38 members and over half have completed their basic fire certification through the State Fire Marshal and Firefighter Association. The Mabank Fire Department serves the City of Mabank, Kaufman County, Henderson County and Van Zandt County utilizing over 14 pieces of equipment.
MFD continues to send its firefighters all over Texas to obtain the best training which enable them to provide the best possible service when called upon by the citizens of this community. A local training facility is also in the works and is located on 9th St. behind the rodeo arena.
The first fire station with its new model " A " 1939 pumper (Left)and (Right) is the old model " T " truck.
Big Red number " 7" truck
Engine " 17" ( Now Eng 1)
Construction of Station #2
Construction of Station #3
The DownTown Fire April 1992
Three of the four firefighters were knocked to the floor of the Tri-county insurance building when the roof collapesed, knocking their head gear ajar. One of the firefighters- partially pinned against a wall - countinues manning the attack line wetting the other firefighters who had been set a blazed by burning tar. No one fleed the building until reaches those who were trapped under the debris from the collapsed roof.
All Four Firefighters receive medals of Valor for their actions during the fire which destroyed the tri-county insurance building in April 1993. This was the first time in the departments history that these awards had been issued.
Some of the past FIre Chiefs
W.M. Covey
L.H. Treadwell
Thornton L. Jennings
Clarence P. Churchwell
J. T. Selman
Hulette Jones
Howard Jones
Donald Gibbs
Durwood Jordan
Clarence Mixon
David McAfee
Don Travis
Harold " Cozell" McAfee
Steven Engel
 | ||||||
