Rosiclare Fire Department turned 94 on March 15
Rosiclare Fire Department Assistant Chief Kevan Eddleman owns the first fire truck purchased by the Rosiclare Fire Department in 1929. It is a 1928 Boyer Fire Apparatus. Pictured is Kevan Eddleman driving the truck in the 2012 Fluorspar Festival parade. — Dana Cook photo
By Jennifer Lane
Editor
Published March 9, 2023 in the Hardin County Independent
On March 15, 1929 businessmen and employees of the mining companies organized the Rosiclare Volunteer Fire Department. It was the first and only fire department the City of Rosiclare has ever had. It is still active and vital to Rosiclare and surrounding communities today. The department turns 94 on March 15!
Assistant Chief Terry Angleton, who is the longest living active member of the Rosiclare Fire Department, shared information about the department and its upcoming 94th birthday. Terry joined the department in 1988, 35 years ago! As one of the duties being assistant to the chief, Terry keeps records including a list of all the people who have served as volunteer firemen since its start. Through present time there have been 79 active members.
On the evening of March 15, 1929, twelve men laid out the department’s original plans. Those charter members were Ernest Glenn, Noah Jones, Staley Lamar, C.E. Rainey, Virgil Palmer, Thomas Rose, Clarence Cochran, Lawrence Howard, Fred Jackson, Harrison Lewis, Vernon Snow and James Crotser. In June 1929, the charter members appointed Ernest Glenn as Chief and Noah Jones as Assistant Chief.
Remnants of the first department –
The first fire truck, a 1928 Boyer Fire Apparatus, was purchased in May of 1929 by the newly formed Rosiclare Fire Department. The city later sold the truck to Alcoa when it was replaced with a different fire truck.
When Jack Quarant bought the mill, the truck went with it. Bob Eddleman acquired the retired truck through an auction held after Jack Quarant’s passing. Bob’s son, Assistant Fire Chief Kevan Eddleman, inherited the truck when Bob passed away. The truck is still part of the community and the family has entered it in the Fluorspar Festival parade many times over the years.
2023 Rosiclare Fire Department roster –
Officers:
Fire Chief Andrew Atkinson
Assistant Chief Kevan Eddleman
Assistant Chief Terry Angleton
Captain Calvin Winters
Lieutenant Brian Burton
Lieutenant. Chris McClenahan
Lieutenant Cameron Angleton
Chaplain Greg Love
More firefighters:
Kevin Carman
Gary Barker
Mitchell Conkle
Tony Lane
Sean Lane
David Holbrook
Rocky Goolsby
David Burton
Nathan Thomas
Mike Smith
Justin Rose
Rachel Atkinson
Nick Shockley
Nathan Shockley
Mike Burton
Robert Turner
Makaya McClenahan
For those interested in joining the Rosiclare Fire Department, contact Rosiclare City Hall. Individuals may fill out an application and be placed on a wait list.
Needing a 10 year smoke detector? Contact Rosiclare Fire Department to get your free detector.
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