The History Behind Williamsburg Fire Department

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Williamsburg Fire Department, Inc. was organized in 1945 and has served the citizens of Williamsburg and Greene Township for 63 years with Firefighting, First Responder (Medical) and Rescue Teams.  James H. Frazer was our First Fire Chief and served for 16 years and was succeeded by his son James R. "Jim Bob" Frazer in 1961. 

Omar Brinkley was our First Assistant Chief and served from 1945 to unknown.

Omar Brinkley was our First Assistant Chief and served from 1945 to unknown.

 During the first few years of the departments existence, equipment was pretty difficult to obtain and maintain.  The membership would have money making projects which required a lot of hard work from everyone.  Some events were Fish Fry's and Bingo.

This pumper was purchased in 1967.  It is a 1968 International, 750 gallon per minute pump and a 500 gallon water tank.  "Boy was it a Cadillac".  The guys were so proud of her.  This truck replaced a 21 year old pumper.  Williamsburg Fire Department was alerted of a major explosion in the City of Richmond in April of 1968 and was requested to report to the city for mutual aid.  They remained in Richmond for several hours with this new truck and were called to extinguish several fires.  Firefighter Frank Monroe can recall the opportunity of operating the new pumper. 

 During the first few years of the departments existence, equipment was pretty difficult to obtain and maintain.  The membership would have money making projects which required a lot of hard work from everyone.  Some events were Fish Fry's and Bingo.

This pumper was purchased in 1967.  It is a 1968 International, 750 gallon per minute pump and a 500 gallon water tank.  "Boy was it a Cadillac".  The guys were so proud of her.  This truck replaced a 21 year old pumper.  Williamsburg Fire Department was alerted of a major explosion in the City of Richmond in April of 1968 and was requested to report to the city for mutual aid.  They remained in Richmond for several hours with this new truck and were called to extinguish several fires.  Firefighter Frank Monroe can recall the opportunity of operating the new pumper. 

 In later years Paul Nicols stepped down from firefighting and became our radio operator.  This room became known as "Burney's Room".

Williamsburg Fire Department has responded to several serious accidents over the past years.  We can recall one incident where a tractor trailer loaded with gasoline turned over north of town and dumped 7,000 gallons of gasoline into the ditch entering the storm drains and flowing into the Greensfork River.  That is where your training really pays off.  You need to know what to do and when to do it.

During 1978 we had the Great Blizzard that was taxing on all the firefighters.  Equipment had trouble getting through and could not get through on many roads.  The men worked day and night trying to get people food or trying to get them to warmth and safety.  The Williamsburg Fire Department was awarded the Golden Snowshoe award for the efforts and hard work.  People donated money and the fireman's wives held fundraisers and purchased a snowmobile for the department.  It has served the stranded citizens several times. 

 In 1981 Frank Monroe was elected Fire Chief and the State starts to get tougher on training for firefighters.  We had Second Class, First Class, and Master Firefighter categories and Frank moved forward with the training.  Frank served as Fire Chief for 13 years and is still on the department.  In this photo left to right:  Bob Conyers (1st Assistant Chief), Frank Monroe (Chief), and Clayton Haisley (2nd Assistant Chief). 

The department was permitted to burn vacant buildings for training during Monroe's early years as Chief and we took advantage of every opportunity we could get.  Training consisted of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), as well as water shuttle.  We trained on Forcible Entry, Ventilation and other techniques. Firefighters were trained to protect property and save lives.

The department was permitted to burn vacant buildings for training during Monroe's early years as Chief and we took advantage of every opportunity we could get.  Training consisted of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), as well as water shuttle.  We trained on Forcible Entry, Ventilation and other techniques.  Firefighters were trained to protect property and save lives.

This photo shows the crew and pumper in 1993. From Left to Right Back Row:  Debbie Conyers, Kim Snapp, Larry Smith, Clayton Haisley, Wayne Sananstine, Steve Guard.  Front Row Left to Right: Wes Frame, Bruce Mathews, Assistant Chief Bob Conyers, Trustee Mae Monroe, Chief Frank Monroe, Mike Webb, Bryan Spears, Jim Beard and Terry Bond.  The department was involved with Community Days serving dinners for fund raising and Fill the Boot.