MINOT – The Minot Historical Society members heard the history of the Minot Fire Department when they met March 13 at the Minot Town Office.

A moment of silence was held for charter member Mildred Whittemore, who died March 2. Members discussed how to raise money to pay for the veterans monument to be erected at the town office.

President Hester Gilpatric read a letter of resignation from the secretary, Eda Tripp. She has held the position since the society began in 2001. Gilpatric asked for nominations from the floor to elect a new secretary. Beverly Spofford was nominated and was voted in as secretary.

Vice President Eleanor Thayer introduced the speaker, Minot Fire Chief Steve French.

French said the West Minot Fire Department entries have been lost, but by going through old town reports and from personal experience, he was able to garner information.

French said he looked back to 1914, when the town reports began, where it noted to elect one or more “fire wards.” In 1917 the fire ward became a town officer, A.K. Damon, who was paid $9 that year, plus $10 for his watering tub.

In 1940 the Maine Forest Service recommended the town raise $25 to purchase forest fire hand tools. The 1970 report indicated that Linwood McKinley was both fire warden and forest fire warden, French said. It also stated that the West Minot Fire Co. was organized on Nov. 19, 1929, with 29 members and it was incorporated June 3, 1957.

French said a special meeting was held March 16, 1968, changing the bylaws to read that membership would be open to all areas of town. Within two months, 30 new members had been accepted.

In 1977 Mrs. Fred Simpson took over the duties of receiving fire calls and was to call out the men. In 1979, there was talk of building a new fire station on the Woodman Hill Road. Another fire truck was purchased, along with more equipment for firefighters.

French said Debbie Hemond and Phyllis French were the dispatchers from 1984 to 1998. Hemond became known as the “Voice of Minot.” In 1999, dispatching was taken over by the State Police in Gray.

The West Minot Fire Department and the First Responders of Minot were blended together and French became the first municipal fire chief of the Minot Municipal Fire Department.

The third fire station, called the Orchard Station on Death Valley Road, was built in 2001. A rescue truck from Auburn was also purchased that year. In 2005 the department obtained a thermal imaging camera and the first “on-line” burning permits were issued. French ended by showing photos of all the fire trucks.

Refreshments and conversation followed. The society will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, at the Town Office when the speaker will be David Stonebreaker on “200 Years of Hebron Academy.” Everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served after the meeting.