History

In the early days, funds for the fire department were entirely donated. The first apparatus & equipment were all donated, and throughout the years, the firefighters have had all different kinds of fundraisers in order to raise money. Platform dances were held behind the fire station during the 1930's & 1940's. The firefighters sponsored these dances weekly to raise funds to purchase a 1941 Ford pumper truck, which was in active service until 1988. In the early 1950's, members raised funds to help build a new fire station, purchase a tanker truck, and purchase the first fire department radio system in the county.

The Germantown Volunteer Fire Department was chartered on May 2. 1892, as the Germantown Fire Company. The first compliment of members included 18 volunteers. The first apparatus was a hand operated pump, which had to be loaded onto a horse drawn wagon, and thus, the first list of members also included a horse. The first motorized apparatus was a 1918 Ford Model "T" truck, which is now housed in the Hall of Flame Museum, located in Phoenix, Arizona.

In 1952, the Germantown Rural Fire Protection District was established to provide a geographical, tax based response area.
In August of 1986, the fire department began providing EMS to the community and surrounding area at the First Responder level, and in 1991, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Clinton County Sheriff's Department, for the Fire Department's performance regarding a two-vehicle, multiple fatality accident.
In 2002, an Explorer Post was chartered and now includes several junior firefighters. Today, the tradition continues with members raising funds and the community providing donations to purchase equipment and to provide training.
The Germantown Volunteer Fire Department is extremely proud of its history, and looks forward to the challenges that the future will bring, while always striving to provide the best possible fire and emergency services for the community that we serve.