The Girard Fire Department was organized in 1871 by the City Council. Although the department still existed it was reorganized in 1881 as the 'Young America Hook & Ladder Company'

        The department has been located in several places within the city over the years. At one time it was under the water tower on the Girard Square, the hose cart was on the lower floor with training room & meeting rooms located above it. After the Girard Municipal Electric Plant was built in the 1920's the fire department was housed in it for approximately 10 - 13 years. In 1933 a building was erected to house the fire department and street department, directly behind city hall. In 1934 the departments moved in to their now home. Soon the two departments outgrew their then new home. The street department was growing rapidly, needing space for larger machinery and soon moved into its own buildings in another part of town. The fire department itself was growing and soon filled the present station to capacity over the past years. Plans for a new station (city complex) are now being looked at.

        The department bought its first motorized fire truck, a 1926 American Le France 500 GPM chain drive pumper, right hand drive. The department now has 3 - midship pumpers, I - Medium Rescue Vehicle and I - Chiefs Buggy.

        Currently the departmental roster includes 5 full-time personnel and 16 volunteer firefighters. The full-time are working 24 hour shifts, with three (3) full-time staff during business hours. Volunteers meet the first & third Thursday of each month.

        The Department currently responds to First Responder Medical Calls, is second out on county rescue calls, performs vehicle extrications, City Code Enforcement and Carbon Monoxide alarms. The department responds to approximately 100 calls per year. Our Current roster of volunteers are all active members of the fire department. The department is strictly a city department and covers only within the city limits, but enjoys mutual aide agreements with many surrounding fire departments. There are 17 fire departments within the county. The department also has full fledged fire prevention and education programs in place.

        The department is also very active in the community. Hold each year is the annual Christmas Parade & Activities, Annual Firefighter Memorial Services, Annual Crawford County Firefighters Olympics, GFD "CARES" Food Program, MDA Fundraising, and much more. This does not include the Annual Fall Festival, Fourth of July Celebration and other events during the year

        The Girard Fire Department has a rich fire heritage and continues to this day as one of the most innovative departments of its size in Southeast Kansas.

Current Apparatus

1992 Pierce - 6 man cab - 1250 GPM
1973 Ford/Central - 1000 GPM
1962 Chevy/Central - 750 GPM
1990 Ford/EVI Rescue Truck
1996 Ford Explorer - Chiefs Vehicle

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