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History

Cheney Fire Department was established in the early 1880's. The community saw a tremendous need for an organized fire company after many fires destroyed many businesses and homes. The citizens formed a committee to organize a fire company in 1882. They raised money and support to purchase fire-fighting equipment, but it wasn't until 1883 when Cheney's first city council created an ordinance to develop a fire company. Cheney's first mayor, D.F. Percival, appointed E.L. Hall as Foreman (Chief) of the fire company. The company started with 30 members and $500. The first reported fire in Cheney was an arson fire that started in the local butcher shop in August 1881. The butcher shop was a total loss and several other buildings were damaged.

From the beginning until the 1960's, the Cheney Fire Department was made up of all volunteer firefighters. The department usually had 20 - 30 members during this time. In 1969, the City of Cheney hired their first full-time personnel. They hired a retired Spokane Fire Department firefighter, Maynard Haskins, as the fire chief. Shortly after Chief Haskins was hired, the fire department hired four additional firefighters and a fire marshal. 

From 1969 to the present, the fire department has been a combination of full-time personnel and volunteer personnel.

Since the Cheney Fire Department started, they would hold social events for the community, in order to raise funds for the department. These social events would be dinners with music and dancing. They would also host sporting events, which included baseball games and firefighter competitions.

The Cheney Fire Department's equipment has changed drastically over the years. >From the 1880's to the early 1900's, they used hose carts and hydrants. The department then moved to a chemical engine along with hose carts. Acquisition of the chemical engine was a big step forward in firefighting. The department was able to extinguish fires more effectively and efficiently. Not long after the department received the chemical engine, they decided it would be more efficient to buy a truck to mount the chemical engine. A Ford truck was purchased to transport the chemical engine. For many years this was what was used to fight fires.

In 1940, the department bought its first fire engine. It was a Pirsch engine with 100 gallons of water and able to pump 600 gallons per minute. Since then, the department has bought engines to effectively fight fires. Today we have three class "A" engines, one ladder truck, and a rescue unit.

Cheney Fire Department has utilized fire prevention efforts since the 1920's. Fire department personnel would offer their services to inspect possible faulty wiring in homes and businesses. They would also ask people not to burn trash during the dry season. Today we conduct inspections of businesses, pre-fire planning, and offer assistance with home escape plans for families.