Arbuckle, College City fire department celebrates 100 years

The Arbuckle and College City Fire District celebrated its 100th anniversary on Saturday with a parade and a barbecue.

Although the College City Fire Department became part of the district in 1928, the Arbuckle Volunteer Fire Department formed in 1918, said Fire Chief Casey Cox.

Cox, a firefighter for 36 years, said he feels lucky to be working in his dream field in his home town.

“My father did it, my friend’s fathers did it ... it was something I always wanted to do,” he said.

Cox and other fire personnel participated in the parade on Saturday. He said the highlight was the horsedrawn fire steamer that he sat atop, with a Dalmatian next to him and three draft horses trotting in front.

Cox said this older method of fighting fires required horses to be in stalls at the firehouse. “When an alarm rang, their steamer rigging dropped on them and off they galloped to the location of the fire, the operator at the Arbuckle Fire Chief Cox riding the CFSA’S 1902 steam fire engine.

rains,” Cox said.

After the parade, citizens and personnel enjoyed a barbecue.

“We are extremely flattered and moved by the support we got from all the fire departments, the professional agencies and all the citizens. It was just really moving,” Cox said.