1939 - 1957

In June 1939, the Mesquite Fire Department reorganized, naming the following men as officers; 

Fire Chief	C.G. Parker
First Assistant Chief	Gayle Kimbell
Second Assistant Chief	Sam Rutherford
Captain	Lonnie McDaniel

Upon the formation of the 1939 department, the City of Mesquite began the practice of sending firefighters to training school when the Council agreed to pay $50.00 for the expenses of two or three firemen to go to the Volunteer Firemen short course at College Station.  The new chief, C.G. Parker was directed to take the men in his car and he would be compensated for his expenses.  The City would continue this tradition for several years, increasing the allowed amount each year.

On May 11, 1943, W.L. Wilkinson and F.I. Walker were asked to investigate the price of a truck with the thought of purchasing one for the department.  On May 21, the council voted to purchase a truck from Sam Rutherford for a maximum price of $506.60.  This truck would be equipped with a pump that was donated by the federal government to the city.  No record was found of the year model or manufacture of this truck but upon the purchase, it required two new tires and tubes at a cost of $90.00.  The agreement with the federal government required this truck to stay inside the city limits of Mesquite at all times.

June 6, 1946, the council passed an ordinance accepting a proposal from the Dallas County Commissioners Court for a county wide fire protection program.  The City of Mesquite through its Volunteer Fire Department would join in the program in accordance with the provisions of an order, dated April 25, 1946 that was passed by the Dallas County Commissioners Court.  On June 27 of this year, a contract was signed for the purchase of a new 500 gpm Mack fire truck for the purchase price was $6947.92.  It arrives on September 22 and would be used to aid in fighting these county fires in unincorporated areas.

Fire Chief J.F. Richardson met with the council in May 1947 to request a new fire station be built between East Main St. and the railroad tracks.  The council voted not to allow the department that location but offered a piece of property the City owned behind city hall. The City had purchased a used building that had been brought from Paris Texas and was to be reassembled.  After the building arrived, the council decided the entire building would be better suited for a Water Department warehouse.  The firemen then requested that equipment be purchased and they would construct the fire station themselves.  This station was completed by the end of that year.  Also during the month of May, the volunteers traveled to Grand Prairie for training and a demonstration on a new “fog” nozzle.

City officials held a banquet to honor the firemen on February 21, 1948.  This gave a stage for the city officials to present slickers, boots and other equipment that had been purchased for the department.  Also during 1948, H.W. Lawrence was appointed as fire marshal.

In an effort to assist the volunteers, the council voted in January 1951 to purchase an insurance policy for the firemen as presented by Fire Chief Glenn Hass.  The cost for the policy for the twenty men was $162.50 for the year.  It was also approved to provide sewer and garbage service without charge in appreciation for their services.

The city would underwrite the cost for the purchase of a new 1951 Ford booster truck in September.  In October, the council lent the fire department $1000.00 to provide it with rescue and emergency equipment for this new truck. In the agreement, the volunteers would refund the money when the department receives their yearly check from the Dallas County Commissioners for fire protection in areas of east Dallas County.  During this time, the commissioners were subsidizing each fire department in Dallas County $25.00 per call in the unincorporated areas.  The booster truck was accepted in December at a cost of $6,500.00.  James Lewis, secretary-treasure for the department at the time, was quoted in The Texas Mesquiter as saying, “it has a 500 gallon water capacity and also has a power take off which is good for fighting fires”

In January 1952, the phone company began offering number dialing for the fire department for the first time.  The first emergency number for Mesquite Fire Department was OS-4-5422.  A big fire at the new Mesquite High School caused approximately $250,000.00 damage on March 12.  It was reported that Mesquite Independent School District had only $150,000.00 insurance coverage.  Mesquite Fire Department had four pumpers at the fire and received mutual aid from Dallas Fire Department with five pumpers and one from Seagoville Fire Department.

The salary for the Fire Marshal was increased from $25.00 per year to $100.00 per year in February 1953 for the first time since July 1912.  Records show that in the 41 years of service, there had been several fire marshals and all had received their salary of $25.00 each year.

The department was successful in passing a $25,000.00 bond election by the citizens of Mesquite on March 21, 1953 for the improvement and extension of the fire station.  Votes cast for the bond were 192 for and 30 against.  Three days later, Hugh Lawrance, David Cole, and John McDaniel presented payment of $1000.00 to the council for a 1948 contract.  At this point, these men ask the city to cancel all future payments owed by the department to the City.  Not only did the council forgive future payments, they also refunded to the department the $1000.00 at the next meeting.

In August 1953, the city allowed the volunteers to purchase new uniforms but the volunteers would be required to fund them through the department.  The department purchased a new 1953 Oren 750-gpm pumper in September with a price tab of $19,000.00.

Since the beginning of this department, many volunteers have given an untold amount of their own time and money.  We will not attempt to name them all but a list of chiefs from 1939 thru 1957 are;