Champaign FD celebrates 150 years
Excerpts from the Champaign News Gazette: On Wednesday, the Champaign Fire Department celebrated its 150th anniversary. On Thursday, the city's oldest living firefighter, Pete Lipscomb, turned 91 years old. Lipscomb served with the department from 1951 to 1985—34 years that spanned a significant part of the department’s history. Last Tuesday, he visited Station No. 1 and reflected on how much has changed since he first joined nearly 64 years ago. "Back then, our trucks were open-cab, and the siren was right next to the driver’s ear—usually mine," he said, laughing. "That’s why I have these," he added, pointing to his hearing aids. The technology wasn’t just limited to the vehicles. In those early days, firefighters didn’t have GPS or digital maps. Instead, they relied on paper maps and tested each other during downtime to memorize the city’s layout. If the driver got lost, they’d follow the smoke, Lipscomb joked. Equipment was also far less advanced. At the time, only one firefighter per shift had a smoke mask, while others would fight fires and take breaks outside to catch their breath. "That’s why I have COPD," he said with a wry smile. Deputy Chief John Barker noted that firefighting has evolved dramatically over the past 150 years. When the department was founded in 1865, it was entirely volunteer-based, and horses were used to transport firefighters quickly. By the 1880s, paid firefighters began to replace volunteers. Back then, the city used a bucket brigade, where people carried water from hand-pumps to douse fires. Firefighters would also tear down parts of buildings to prevent flames from spreading further into town. Instead of 911 calls, the city would ring a bell at the top of the city building to signal which area was on fire. Later, steam-powered fire engines were introduced, but they were eventually replaced by the city’s first motorized engine in 1915—after a devastating fire on Lewis Street caused $800,000 in damage (equivalent to about $18.8 million today). To celebrate the department’s milestone, there will be a fire apparatus parade and firefighter muster on July 19, from noon to 5 p.m. The parade will begin at the Illinois Fire Service Institute at noon, heading west on Kirby Avenue, north on Mattis Avenue, and east on University Avenue to Champaign Central High School, arriving around 12:30 p.m. The muster will take place in the parking lot at the corner of Washington and Walnut streets starting at 1 p.m. Thanks, Dan  High Brandy Glass Bottle,Diamond Brandy Dragon Bottle,Diamond Brandy Dragon Glass Bottle,Diamond Brandy Dragon Empty Bottle Shandong Tengrui Glass Products Co., Ltd. , https://www.trglassbottle.com