CONTRIBUTED BY
THE CIY OF OPELIKA
OPELIKA –
The Opelika Fire Department will celebrate its 150th Anniversary with a community-wide celebration on Thursday, Nov. 9. The event, set for 4 to 6 p.m., will also serve as Grand Opening of Station 5.
Citizens of all ages are invited to enjoy food, games and fun, as well as tour the new facility, located at 4000 Gateway Dr.
“The history of the OFD is strong, as are the men and women who serve this community,” said Fire Chief Shane Boyd. “I’m proud of our humble beginnings and feel fortunate to work alongside the finest first responders in this country. We want to share our history while we welcome in our new station. The new station is going to improve response time to the citizens in Opelika. We hope everyone will come out and visit with us.”
HISTORY OF OFD:
In February of 1873, a group of Opelika men met at the home of J. H. Lockhart to discuss the possibility of creating the city’s first fire department, and by September of the same year, the Opelika Fire Company was formed.
“Resolved, that the members of Opelika Fire Company banded together for the protection of life and property in the City of Opelika, we pledge ourselves, one to another, for the interest of the movement that we will keep our organization intact. And whether our first efforts are flattering or discouraging, we will know no failure until every effort has been exhausted.” (Opelika Observer, Sept. 25, 1873, as stated in the book The History of the Fire Department in Opelika Alabama by Enda Ward).
Shortly thereafter, the first firefighting apparatus, known locally as “The Extinguisher,” was acquired and put into service.
“In the proceeding 150 years, the Opelika Fire Department has evolved into a highly sophisticated public safety rescue organization,” said Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller. “They are dedicated to providing excellent service to the citizens of Opelika and are the best first responders in the country. I’m extremely proud of what they do.”