DFS Fire Department past, present and future

Despite the best efforts of DeFuniak Springs’ early fire service, the downtown area, which was originally built entirely of wood frame construction, was destroyed by fire in 1898. 

 

Baldwin Ave. before the fire of 1898

Baldwin Ave. after the fire of  1898

So, with an eye toward fire prevention, downtown businesses were rebuilt using brick, a more durable, fire-resistant building material.

“DeFuniak Springs actually had a water delivery system with hydrants very early on,” said Robert Daniel, retired battalion chief of Walton County Fire Rescue and town historian, “because northerners visiting the Chautauqua wanted all the modern conveniences,”

At that time, water lines were wooden, and hydrants were plugs in the wooden lines tapped by using a pick. Firefighters would station Dalmatians at the plug to protect their equipment while they battled the blaze.

In the early 1900s the city’s first fire department was constructed and later renovated to include City Hall and Tri-County Community Council. The station was located on Hwy 90 near where the city police station stands today. 

At that time, firefighters and citizens were alerted to fire danger by a ringing bell strategically positioned atop a tower on the south side of Baldwin Avenue, near where The Opinion Place is located.

Current Mayor Bob Campbell served as a volunteer firefighter for DFSFD in 1970 and worked in the original station house. “I remember getting that call to a fire,” he said. “Those were exciting times. Even then, I knew DeFuniak Springs was destined for prosperity.”

In a strange twist of fate, the old station was gutted by fire in 1975.  The fire was battled by DFS and Paxton Fire Departments, Gulf Power Company and City Police, including Policeman Clinton Hooks who went on to become police chief. He was on scene at the time and helped connect the hose to the hydrant and get water pumping onto the fire.

The original fire station was gutted by fire in 1975

“It’s pretty humiliating to have your own fire station burn,” Chief Follmar White, who was fire chief at the time, is reported to have said.

However, a new, all-steel station had already been constructed and was waiting for windows, doors and restrooms at the time of the fire. So, the fire department was temporarily housed in the National Guard Armory until the new station could be completed.

The DFSFD continues to occupy that station located just off Hwy 83 and plans to expand with a second station on the south side of town near the proposed Veteran’s Lodge Community. The department currently has three fire trucks, 14 full-time firefighters and six part-time firefighters.

(left to right) Chief Ross Sheffield, firefighter Brian Foreman, 

Lieutenant Ryan Cook and Sergeant Nick Bradley. 

“We are here to provide for the citizens of DeFuniak Springs,” said Fire Chief Ross Sheffield who spent 29 years as a firefighter in Birmingham, Alabama’s, Fire Rescue service and retired as chief of the department. After returning home to DeFuniak Springs, Sheffield assumed the job of fire chief here in his hometown. “I’m living the dream,” he said with a smile when asked how he liked being back home.

Chief Sheffield displays a metal helmet and wool coat
circa 1930/40 beside a modern coat and helmet.

*Originally printed in the DeFuniak Springs Herald/ Beach Breeze January 2022