The Hennessey Fire Department was organized shortly after the town site was established. The early department consisted of a few volunteers and a fire hose permanently attached to the water system and was located in the 300 block of S. Main St. in the current location of the Hennessey Water Department Building.
In the event of a fire on Main St. or in close proximity the volunteers would respond and pull the pre-connected hose to the fire. The volunteers soon realized that a better method was needed and a “chemical cart” was purchased. This apparatus was nothing more than a large chemical fire extinguisher mounted on a two-wheel
cart and could be pulled by hand to the location of a fire. This was Hennessey’s first mobile fire equipment.
In the late teens the town purchased a “real” fire truck mounted on a Ford Model T chassis. Unfortunately the
details of this truck are unknown.
In 1930 the town bought a brand new Reo Speedwagon with a Boyer fire apparatus mounted on it. This truck was an open cab pumper with a tank and pump and carried all the ladders, axes, hoses and other equipment. It’s been said that the firemen would get the truck out and drive it all over town with no problem but when there
was a fire the truck frequently wouldn’t start and would have to be pulled to the location!