August 23 was a momentous day as the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department celebrated its 110th anniversary.
“How did we get to this day 110 years ago,” Chief C.L. “Corky” Cochran asked rhetorically, as he gave a brief history of the formation of the department.
“The town of Livingston had existed some 80 years. On Oct. 30, 1902 voters approved incorporation of the City of Livingston, but not without tragedy. August 28 saw part of the town burned prior to an election on August 30 to end the sale of alcoholic beverages. On December 8, another attempt was made to burn the town and a young many put the flames out, only to be shot and later died. But the town was saved.
“All these years of existence there was no real fire protection. Citizens responded with buckets – showing the real meaning of bucket brigade. This form of fire protection continued until Aug. 23, 1915. This change began on July 7, 1914. Voters approved a first-class water system with an elevated tank and hydrants. On April 2, 1915 Council approved the purchase of three hand-drawn hose carts with 1,500 hundred feet of hose and nozzles.
“On July 12, 1915 Council appointed Keenan Peebles fire chief and Ernest Reuter Sr. fire marshal. They were directed to organize a fire department. On Aug. 23, 1915, 110 years ago today, the equipment was turned over to the fire department, so that day was the birth of the Livingston Fire Department.
“On Sept. 2, 1915 the fire department responded to a residential fire which had made great headway by the time the hose carts arrived. The house was saved. Those first years showed few fires. Year by year, the numbers have increased along with the responsibilities. In 2024 we had 975 actual responses and our dispatchers handled over 350 additional calls in which no response was needed – a fire cry from 1915.
“Since that day over 300 citizen volunteers have served the department and community. Today is a special day in our history, but we want to take this day to say thanks to the generations of citizens who have helped make the department what it is today – your contributions, your prayers, the 110 years of equipment and supplies. I’ve said over and over that you, our faithful citizens, are truly the backbone of the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department.
“I do want to add that for years we have had a great relationship with the city. Year in and year out, the city provided our operational needs – insurance, repairs, fuel, station upkeep, dispatchers, training costs, protective equipment, capital items, engine, aerial tower. The city relationship should never be forgotten or underestimated,” the chief said.
Livingston Mayor Judy B. Cochran agreed. “I’d like to echo Chief Cochran’s comments about the citizens’ support of the fire department. I’m pleased to be here today to celebrate the history.”
In a moving ceremony in which Fire Marshal Josh Mohler rang the bell, members of the department who have passed away since the department’s 100th anniversary in 2015 were honored. The list included: Don Alexander, Cal Buford, Joe Kirgan, Frank McQueen, Richard Ross, Lloyd Coker, Earl Davis, Eugene Hanson, Wayne Keller, Myers Pace, James Earl Phillips, F.J. Woolf, Van Ray Cox, John Gardner, Tommy Brakel, Frank Fawbush, Jack Jackson, James Kessler, Calvin Serpas, Dispatcher Barbara Thomas, Dispatcher Ruth Ann Purvis, Dispatcher Ann Milner, Harry Armitage, Leon Bailey, James Bergman, Yancy Williams, Roy Sanders, Justin Cooper, Dispatcher Faylene Haynes and Chief B.R. Haynes.
“Those names were a part of the 300 volunteer citizens who have served the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department over the past 110 years. Some served only a short period of time. Some served many, many years. Some were serving at the time of their passing, but all contributed time and effort,” Chief Cochran said.
“Why do we get into fire service in the first place – volunteering for something that can get your hurt, or worse. Most of these had community at heart, desiring to give back something to help friends and neighbors. As we began to serve, we do some really strange things like leaving a warm bed in freezing temperatures, going out in tornado weather, leaving a church service or a holiday meal. For what? What are we thinking? We’re protecting property we don’t own and saving people we don’t know. But this is what we do. And something comes over us unexpected – we find ourselves in a bond of brotherhood. Fire service brother/sisterhood is the greatest bond known to mankind. It is with us as we serve. It is with us in retirement. It follows us to death, never leaves us.
“I know today that there are family members of our deceased members here. To you survivors, let me say you are part of the brother/sisterhood I speak of and we will always be here for you. That list of named personnel, their tour of duty on earth is now over, but it is our hope and prayers that today each of them is enjoying their new tour of duty on the streets of heaven,” Cochran said.
Service awards were presented to those having served 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years on the department. Recognized for 10 years of service were Dustin Brown, Brian Jones, Craig Jones, Brandon Prescott, Josh Smith and Carl Spore. Recognized for 20 years of service were Alan Cook and Josh Mohler. Recognized for 30 years of service were Preston Jones, Tracey Kincade, Dwayne McGarrahan, Todd Miller, W.A. Starnes and Ricky Holbrook. Recognized for 40 years of service were John Haynes and Tommy Overstreet. Recognized for 50 years of service were Guinn Jones, Frank O’Neal and Chief Corky Cochran.
Ten retirees of the department were recognized, including: Mike Dominy, Richard Gilbert, Dennis Clifton, Chuck Hinton, Mark Taylor, Ben Ogletree III, Jimbo Hobson, Billy Lambeth, Raymond Stanley and Bubba Dear.
