The Fate Fire Department has a long and rich history. The department was founded in 1950. There were countless men and women who have made up the Fate Fire department over the years. Some of the original and founding members of the Fate Volunteer Fire Department were: Carl Leonard, Jr., C. W. “Petey” Holt, Paul Wygal, Lester Hornsby, J. Y Karr, W. E. “Billy Crawford”, Thurman Smith, D. W. Swanner, and Jimmy Crawford, These were Fate’s first dedicated and concerned citizens who would answer the call for help and show up to help fight the fire when the siren sounded. These were the first men to step up and own the emergency needs of the citizens of Fate.
There were many other firsts too…
- J. Y. Karr was the first Fate Volunteer Fire Chief.
- The first fire engine was a 1930 Ford, open-cab, model-A truck. Even in the 1950’s the cities of Fate and Rockwall had a close working relationship… This truck was donated to Fate compliments of the Rockwall Fire Department.
- In the absence of a fire station, the first engine was housed in town in a building owned by Carl Leonard, Sr.
- The siren was mounted above the dash on the passenger side of the truck and was hand operated with a crank by the passenger in the front seat.
- This first truck, I’m told, wasn’t always reliable and frequently suffered from, at minimum, a dead battery. I find it interesting that “the more things change, the more things stay the same.
- The first fire department met and held their meetings in a building now owned by Rick Brunson, next door to the upholstery shop on the north side
- Later Jimmy Crawford built a new post office on Fate Main Place. Mr. Crawford also built another building just east of the Post Office. The fire department moved into this building and the City Hall occupied the back portion of that building. The fire truck and the fire department remained in this building many years until the Fire Department could raise enough money to buy the land for a new fire station.
- After much fundraising, the proud Fate Fire Department purchased land from C. W. Holt. at 128 E. Fate Main Place, the same site located immediately behind us today.
- Additionally, On December 11th 1974, a new 2 bay fire station was opened and dedicated for service.
- In the days before radios, the volunteer siren was first installed at the original fire station location. Later another larger siren was placed on top of a 30 foot tower immediately adjacent to the fire station that was behind us here.
- The volunteer’s siren was activated by a lever on the side of the pole. This siren signaled members. Meetings were identified by three short rings. And when there was a fire, the siren continued to sound until enough men showed up to fight the fire. Because there were no radios available in those days, the person sounding the siren was required to remain at the station to give the location of the fire.
- In 1975, a local home builder, Centex Homes, funded and enabled the department to purchase its first brand new fire truck.
- In 2006 the City of Fate hired the first paid Fire Chief
Fate Fire Chiefs – in order
- J. Y. Karr
- Carl Leonard, Jr.
- C. L. “Crow” Lindsey
- Robert Morris
- Jerry Cauble
- Dale Akin
- Randy Leonard
- Dale Akin
- Sean Fay
