Fire & Rescue Department
History
Fire Department History Presentation
The Solon Fire Department was started in 1924 when the village purchased a Ford Model "T" Truck with two large chemical tanks, some hose, and a dozen or so buckets as equipment. The truck was kept in a one car garage added to the side of the old Solon garage on Bainbridge Road, which now houses H&H Towing. The garage was operated at that time by Edwin (Dusty) Rhoads who was the only firefighter.
In 1927, Clyde Knowles Sr. took over the operation of the Solon Garage. He became a one man fire
department and the first Fire Chief when the volunteer department was organized in 1928.
On August 5, 1929, the village approved the purchase of a Model A Ford fire truck for the amount on $582.00. The equipment from the Model T was then installed on the Model A.
The next improvement was to put a front mount pump on the Model A. The chemical tanks were removed a replaced with a water tank. In 1939, the fire department was moved to the rear of old City Hall (now the Solon Center for the Arts) and was housed in a two bay garage that faced SOM Center Road. The department was moved to a new three bay station across the street in 1954. This facility was added on to and now serves the department as Station 2.
The Model A gave faithful service to the community for many years before being retired and sold to the Orange Village Fire Department. It was later sold to private owners. The Model A was thought to be lost until it was located in 1996 and purchased by the Solon Firefighters Association, Local 2079. The firefighters began the restoration project until funding became an issue in 2001. The firefighters requested and received financial assistance from the City as well as the Historical Society for this project resulting in completion at the end of 2002.
The department has now grown from a one man volunteer department to a modern career department with 63 men and women operating from three fire stations. The department utilizes four rescue squads, three pumpers, two ladders, one hazardous materials unit, one light rescue unit, and a number of utility/support vehicles.
Fire Chiefs
Clyde Knowles Sr. 1928-1931 1960-1982 Otto Jiricek 1931-1938 1982-1993 Ed Safranek 1938-1958 1993-2000 Edwin Rhoads 1958-1960 2000-Present
