NWFPD
In 1946, a group of concerned individuals realized the need for fire protection
for an unincorporated area just outside the Belleville City limits. Several meetings were held regarding the forming of a
volunteer fire department. A committee was formed to oversee this development, and soon afterwards a not-for-profit corporation
was formed known as the Northwest Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
Through hard work and dedication, the Number "1" Fire Station at 1513 North Belt
West was built by the volunteers involved in the forming of the department. Also, the first fire engine was purchased and
placed into service shortly thereafter.
Over the next several years, as the department developed, Engine House #2 was
built at 2327 South Belt West - also by the volunteer firemen themselves. Additional pumpers were also purchased at this time
bringing the department's cadre to four engines.
The department operated financially on a subscription (tag sale) type of service
available to "members" of the corporation until 1967 when three fire protection districts were formed. In other words, if
you weren't a paid up "member", you didn't have fire protection from the department. However, the department NEVER refused
service to anyone . . . even though many did not help pay for the operation of the department. By forming the fire districts,
income to operate the fire department was "guaranteed" through taxes, and everyone had "guaranteed" fire protection who lived
within the boundary lines of the district. In 1986, the three fire districts were combined into one district by referendum
to be known as the Northwest St. Clair County Fire Protection District governed by three trustees.
As the fire disrict grew in terms of the amount of people served, so did its
operation, the volunteers involved, and the equipment purchased. In 1980, the fire district was one of the first to require
all firefighters to become certified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Also, in 1980, two custom built fire engines
were purchased to provide the resources needed at an emergency. In 1987, the district purchased a rescue truck, that today,
carries "state of the art" rescue equipment and also doubles as a "command center" for many types of incidents.
The 1990's have seen continued growth of the fire district and it's internal
operation. In order to continue to provide the standard of service that has been given over the last 51 years, and to keep
up with the growth within the fire district, additional fire-fighting equipment would need to be purchased. In addition, the
district needed a much larger fire station that would meet their needs into the 21st century. Over a period of 10 years, the
district trustees acquired the land needed for a fire station, proposed a bond issue to the residents of the district to build
a new Fire Station Number "2", and purchase an aerial truck. Needless to say, the bond issue was supported by the residents
of the district, the truck was purchased, and they built the fire station that we have today.
It has been a long wait for the firefighters of this district to reach this point
after being in buildings that were confining, never had offices, had a classroom for only 15 people when there was 30, and
were cold in the winter, and hot in the summer. And now we are just as proud as those individuals who organized the department
in 1946, built that first firehouse, and saw that first engine purchased. Your firefighters present today didn't build this
station as the volunteers in 1946 did, but they did devote hundreds of hours of their time, besides their required training
time, to finish this station by doing all the landscaping and installation of equipment, such as the gear racks, etc.
As we carry on into the 21st century, every firefighter stands behind the district's
belief that in order for you to be a firefighter here you MUST have . . .
