2017 was an important year for Thomasville Fire Rescue, as the department marked 150 years of service to the Thomasville community. On December 30th, TFR will formally recognize the occasion as well as the first line of duty death in the department, which occurred 100 years ago on December 30, 1917. According to Fire Chief Chris Bowman, both occasions will be remembered during this year’s Firefighter Appreciation Dinner.
“Thomasville firefighters have been a part of protecting citizens and their homes from fire for 150 years,” said Bowman. “Over those years, much has changed, including equipment, technology, and the very way fires are fought. One aspect that hasn’t changed, however, is the unwavering dedication our firefighters have to this community. “
The planning stages and formation of a fire department in Thomasville first began in 1866 when a petition was filed by the Neptune Fire Engine and Protection Company to begin providing fire protection for the city of Thomasville. The official minutes from the Superior Court of Georgia, Thomas County stated that the object of the petitioners was to “…protect the public and private property within the incorporated limits of the town of Thomasville in case of fire…” The order was passed and the first year as the official fire protection for Thomasville began in January of 1867.
“During the next few years, two other fire companies were also organized,” said Bowman. “One was known as The Vigilants, which is historically significant as it was an all-black company. The other was the Rescue Hook and Ladder Company. Both were provided water by the construction of cisterns in the streets.”
The first fire station was built in Thomasville 30 years later when the first paid department was organized in 1897. “The first station was built at a cost of $980,” said Bowman. “It would cost significantly more to build a station today.”
February 17, 1913, saw another major change in the department when the first motor driven fire apparatus was placed in service. “It was a Type 10 American LaFrance pumper,” Bowman said. In 1916 this was augmented by the addition of a Type 12 American LaFrance pumper. “The 1916 Type 12 American LaFrance pumper was recently restored and can be seen at the Thomas County Museum of History,” said Bowman. The Museum is located at 725 N. Dawson St.
Unfortunately, not all anniversaries the fire department celebrates in 2017 are happy ones, as the department will also remember the first line of duty death in Thomasville. “Fire Chief Rufus L. Dawkins was killed in a collision at the corner of Crawford and Monroe Streets on his way to respond to a fire call,” said Bowman. “He was driving the 1913 American LaFrance pumper to a fire and collided under the Big Oak with a Ford car driven by Mr. Frank Woodward,” said Bowman, adding that the fire truck overturned, killing Chief Dawkins and injuring four other firefighters.
Over the last 150 years, firefighting has evolved a great deal, something Bowman said he thinks about. “I’ve seen a lot of changes during my 37 years in the fire service,” he said. “I can only imagine what it must have been like to live and work here as a firefighter in Thomasville during those historic years through the formation of the first fire department. Firefighting is tough, hard work. It must have been doubly hard without all the modern gear and equipment we have today.”
As part of the commemoration, TFR will be represented during the Victorian Christmas event December 14th and 15th, with three of their own firefighters dressed in Victorian Era fire uniforms, just like those worn by the first Neptune Fire Company No. 1. “This is just one way we can celebrate those brave firefighters of the past and recognize the dedication and bravery of our firefighters that protect our community today,” said Bowman.
“This year’s Firefighters Appreciation Dinner is intended to not only to honor the past history of TFR, but to also celebrate its future and the brave men and women who till proudly serve today,” said Bowman. “We have a proud tradition and a rich history of fire service in Thomasville, with a long line of good firefighters that came before our current men and women. I’d like to think that they would certainly be pleased to see how well we are honoring the tradition that they set for us so long ago.”