Cleveland Volunteer Fire Deptartment

The current station number 1 was finished in 1952 and is located at the intersection of South Bayou and North Street next to City Hall. This is a two bay station that is home to FD-21, FD-15, FD-20, and Haz-Mat response trailer.

The current station number 2 was completed in 1972 and is located at 103 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive . This two bay station is home to FD-22, FD-16, and FD-30. It also contains a meeting room, kitchen, day room and office for the Maintenance Engineer.

The current station number 3 was finished in 1952 and is located 112 South Street. This one bay station is mainly used for maintenance purposes and houses both FD-11 and the 1940 International truck used for parades.

The first fire fighting apparatus, a Model-T Ford, was acquired in 1921. It had a chemical tank and carried a small amount of hose but had no pump. The fire station where it was housed had a slanted floor because it was easier to push start instead of starting with the crank handle.

In 1924 a second truck was purchased. The Reo Speed wagon was much the same as the Model-T Ford but could carry more hose. The most visible difference was that it was painted red.

In 1928 the first real fire truck, an American La France , was acquired for a cost of $8,750. It had a pumping capacity of 600 gallons per minute and carried 1200 feet of 2 ½ inch hose, and 200 feet of 1 ½ inch hose. It also had a 40-gallon chemical tank in which soda acid was mixed. It also carried 48 feet of wooden ground ladders and various fire fighting equipment. Sue King, daughter of Chief Thweatt, christened the truck “ Virginia ”. We are very proud that this piece of history has been restored and currently resides on display at the Mississippi State Fire Academy in Pearl .

In 1940, an International truck was purchased. It had a pumping capacity of 650 gallons per minute, but was otherwise very similar to the 1928 truck. This truck is still in use today as a parade truck and is also used in the fire safety program for giving rides to school kids on appointment.

In 1953, a GMC truck was purchased with a pumping capacity of 750 gallons per minute.

In 1963, an International truck was purchased with a pumping capacity of 1200 gallons per minute.

In 1971, a Ward La France truck was purchased that had a pumping capacity of 1250 gallons per minute.

In 1974, another Ward La France truck, FD-20, was purchased that has a pumping capacity of 1500 gallons per minute.

In 1980, the department acquired an International 3D rescue truck, FD-17. This vehicle is a definite work horse in the sense that it carried all the spare air bottles, as well as, various fans, extrication equipment, and miscellaneous fire fighting equipment. It had a standard shift transmission until the department installed a new automatic transmission in 2002.

In 1981 a Pierce L.T.I. 85 foot aerial ladder truck was purchased. The department utilized this apparatus on all commercial and several mutual aid calls until its retirement in 2003. This vehicle also carried all of the rope rescue equipment on board along with the necessary tools and fittings essential to operate a front line pumper.

In 1991, the department purchased a Pierce Pumper, FD-22. It is currently in use today as the front line pumper for Station 2. It has a pumping capacity of 1500 gallons per minute with a driver’s side pump panel, and is equipped with the necessary tools for efficient operation.

In 1994, a Ford E.V.I. F-450 rescue truck was purchased, FD-15. It is currently in use today, and is housed at Station 1. This versatile apparatus contains numerous pieces of fire fighting and rescue equipment.

In 1995, another Pierce Pumper was purchased, FD-21. It is currently in use today as the front line pumper for Station 1. It has a pumping capacity of 1500 gallons per minute with a mid ship pump panel design. It has an enclosed cab design, allowing for two riders behind the driver and passenger that can travel safely while donning the necessary equipment.

In 2007, a Ford F-250 pickup was purchased, FD-11. The department also mounted a 1200 gallon per minute deluge gun in the bed that is mainly used for downtown or larger fires requiring such equipment as well as for use as a method to transporting the HazMat trailer.

In 2003, the department, in conjunction with Delta State University and Bolivar County , purchased a Pierce 100 foot aerial platform vehicle, FD-30. This vehicle is housed at Station 2 and currently responds to all commercial and mutual aid calls for aerial support. It contains all rope rescue equipment, as well as other equipment as needed to perform as a front-line pumper.

In response to the increasing threat from terrorist activity, the department organized a Hazardous Materials Response Unit in 2005. This unit is manned from a 22 foot trailer containing various chemical and hazardous material response gear.

In 2006, the department acquired a Pierce rescue truck, built on an International chasis. FD-16 is housed at number 2 station. This vehicle carries all the spare air bottles, as well as, various fans, extrication equipment, and miscellaneous fire fighting equipment.