...

9-1-1 did not exist yet and the Communications Center was in its infancy still. Prior to the Com Center existing in the mid 1950's, people called the local firehouses by phone or whatever nearby number that was listed for a fire company member for compainies "out in the country". On this particular call, the caller called the firehouse direct....which still occurred at times well into the late 60's. It still occurs today seldomly. The only alerting devices at the firehouses were sirens or bells. The Com Center could activate the sirens for a call and make a radio announcement. At the Union, they had no roof siren, only the bell that still exists today. When a call came in, the driver or someone would ring the bell and depart. If it was a rural call, Merl's (night driver) wife would use a call list to call members by phone who lived near the incident. The bunkroom was active at that time with live ins (such was the case for decades before).

They lost a little sleep this night......