Bellaire/Neffs Fire Department

Bellaire/Neffs Fire Department
(photo source unknown) The uniform patch of the former Bellaire Fire Department	The Bellaire Fire Department was established in 1860 and, due to budget issues, was dissolved October 20, 2003. On October 21, 2003, the Bellaire department joined the Neffs Fire Department to provide fire protection service to the village. Station 1 is located in Neffs, and Station 2 is the former Bellaire fire station.

(photo source unknown) Chemical Engine - Fire Department Postcard Date Unknown	(photo source unknown) Hook and Ladder Date Unknown
(photo source unknown) First City Building, which was torn down in 1902 to construct the second City Building, was home to the first volunteer fire department of Bellaire.	(photo source unknown) Duquesne Hook and Ladder Bellaire, Ohio Date of Picture unknown - possibly early 1900/1910
(photo source unknown) Photograph from 1902 of Bellaire's City Officials - Mayor Charles Rodewig; Councilmen H. C. Fuhr, J. H. Murray, Thomas Powers, L. C. Battelle and his son Gordon, L. W. Gilcher, Clarence Simpson, and Charles Wise; Emil Schmidt, council president; Dr. Joseph Piersol, vice-president; City Clerk F. W. Jackson; Street Commissioner William Shannefelt; Solicitor Cook Danford; Treasurer C. W. Dickens; Engineer A. J. Norton; Police Chief Albert "Cooney" Mahone; and Fire Chief James Fitton. Photo courtesy Mrs. Margaret Simpson.
(photo source unknown) Bellaire Fire Department Postcard Date unknown	(photo source unknown) City of Bellaire Fire Fighters at 28th and Belmont Streets, looking West at Imperial Glass Co.
photo © J.D. Kappler Neffs Fire Department, Station 2 24th and Belmont Streets	(photo source unknown) The former Fire Station at 4414 Noble Street now houses the Bellaire Veterinary Clinic.

Facts and History

From D.W. Leet's Directory of the City of Bellaire, 1877

V. T. Morgan, Chief Marshal
I. N. Grafton, Assistant Marshal

Mechanic's Hose Company No. 3, south side, Twenty-second Street, between south Belmont Street and South Guernsey, First Ward District -
Click Here for Library of Congress - American Memories Project - Independent Hose Company No. 3 photos

Liberty Hose Company No. 1, City Building, corner Thirty-second and South Belmont Streets, Third Ward

"Phunny" Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, corner Thirty-second and south Belmont Streets, Third Ward

Hope Hose Company No. 2, corner Thirty-seventh and Noble Streets, Fourth Ward

Good Will Hose Company No. 4, corner Forty-fourth and North Guernsey Streets, Fifth Ward

From the Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, February, 1890

Fire Department (volunteer)

6 fire companies - 30 men to each
No steam or hand engines
5 independent hose carts
1 hook & ladder truck
600' 2 1/2" hose to each hose cart (rubber hose)
Streets in the business portion are paved
86 hydrants
Average Pressure 65 lbs per sq inch
Population 10,000
Prevailing Winds: West

From the Sanborn Fire Map, October, 1895
same as above except
1 Chemical Engine (Halloway) 55 Gallon Capacity
97 hydrants

From Callin's Bellaire City Directory 1913-1914

Fire Department (volunteer)

Fire Chief: James R. Fitton -- residence: 438 36th Street
Driver: George A. Piatt -- Central Station, City Hall

Company No. 3 -- 19th and Belmont Streets

Company No. 5 -- 438 46th Street

Company No. 6 -- Noble Street near 44th Street

From Bellaire City directory - 1937-1938

Headquarters: 32nd Street and Cherry Alley

Fire Chief: Charles R. Gratz
Assistane Chief: Charles Jewell
Drivers: Fred Getrost, Harry Manley, Harold Sells, Jesse Dunaway, and Charles Beaver

From Ohio Bell Telephone Company
(March 1951) Bellaire

Fire Department

Central Hose Company - City Building
Fire Chief's residence - 2117 Guernsey St.
Hose Company no. 3 - 1900 Belmont St.
Hose Company no. 6 - 44th St.

From Robinson's 1960 Bellaire and Shadyside, Ohio City Directory

Fire Chief: Charles Jewell Jr.
Number of fire hydrants: 250
Fire Department has seven full-time drivers and 20 call men with three stations and three pieces of motor equipment
Fire Station #3 1900 Belmont St. - Bell6-2122
Fire Station Co. #6 - Noble St. - Bell6-1312

From Polk's Bellaire-Shadyside City Directory 1963

Fire Department has 27 men, with 3 stations and 3 pieces of motorized equipment.

Fire Chief: Charles E. Jewell Jr.
Firefighter: Frank Jewell

From Polk's Bellaire-Shadyside City Directory 1968

Fire Protection first came to Bellaire when the first fire companies were established, August 26, 1875. Horse drawn equipment was introduced around 1908 and full-time men were hired. Motorized equipment came in about 1913. Today the department has three pumper trucks located in three sections of town, and can receive aid at any time from surrounding towns. The department currently has a compliment of twenty seven men.

Chief: Charles E. Jewell Jr.