John F. Kennedy wrote in his book “Profiles in Courage” that “stories of past courage can teach, they can offer hope, they can provide inspiration”. One such inspiration is the story behind the construction of the current Marshall Fire Hall and leadership of past Fire Chief Ed Scheele.

This year marks 130 years of the Marshall Fire Department. Although the city had purchased some equipment, buckets a hose attached to the town pump and designation of five men who would be in charge of the apparatus as early as 1879, the official action to charter a fire department occurred on July 10, 1890. Since then, 17 Fire Chiefs have led the all-volunteer department of just over 40 firefighters with the mission of “Our Family Helping Your Family”.

Ed Scheele, was Fire Chief from 1975 to 1985. When speaking with him recently he spoke first and foremost about the dedication it takes to be a firefighter. Every week there is training and every day you are subject to being on-call. An on-call firefighter is a person who is ‘on call’ to respond to a range of emergencies in addition to fires, which can include incidents ranging from floods, road accidents and chemical spills. They are doing everyday jobs (for example, shop workers, office workers, mechanics, etc.) until the call comes, then they become professional firefighters.

As fire chief, there are many more time commitments as a result of budgeting, purchases, supervision and leadership of the department and community awareness and education. Scheele spoke of how well before his time, a bell would ring to alert firefighters of the need to report for a fire response (the bell that hung on top of the 1911 Fire Hall/City Hall currently sits prominently outside the Fire Hall today). Then came the telephone and eventually personal pagers which Scheele oversaw and implemented in 1975. “That was a big step forward” said Scheele.

However, one of the greatest challenges Scheele oversaw and one that left lasting permanence to his term as Chief, was the construction of the current Fire Hall.

Often public facility projects are the most challenging to gain support. Cost, low day to day personal interaction within the walls of a building by residents, and a common theme of existing buildings as being “good enough for government” mean less initial public backing. The Fire Hall project was no different.

In January of 1977, Scheele approached the City Council and outlined building problems and the need for a new fire hall. How could the Fire Department outgrow their 1962 Fire Hall/City Hall (known as the Municipal Building, dedicated in 1964) in just a mere 15 years? Scheele stated that quickly the Fire Department grew from four trucks to eight and the 1962 City Hall never had adequate space for hose drying/storage, servicing of equipment or training needs. In addition, when there was a fire call, firefighters double parked on Main Street as parking was limited elsewhere. Scheele contended that a new fire hall would also provide a better, faster response. In 1964 the population was just over 6,600 residents. Then, the population around 1977 was close to 9,800 residents, nearly a 50 percent increase. This along with the City becoming a major industry and employment hub for the region meant fire trucks utilizing a busy Main Street for egress could be impeded by traffic.

A Council committee that included councilmembers and public members was formed and six months later the Committee considered moving the police department as part of a future trend of joint law enforcement facilities. This they said would free up space and cost far less than construction of a new fire hall, and this would lead the public to not support a bond referendum. Scheele remained undeterred, saying, let the voters decide. A few councilmembers agreed and eventually it passed the full Council with a general election referendum on whether to build a new fire hall set for November of 1977.

The architectural firm of Stegner, Hendrickson, McNutt and Sullivan of Marshall drew preliminary plans and established construction costs estimates for a new fire facility in the amount of $625,000, this amount equaling $2.3 million in today’s dollar.

A strong marketing campaign to inform voters ensued, including speaking engagements, advertisements, endorsements, panel discussions and an open forum. Financial resources from the firefighters’ private funds paid for the marketing campaign.

The Tiger Lake location was also at issue, concerns from neighboring property owners on possible devaluation of residential property and loss of a parks and recreation location were at issue. Fast forward to today, properties did not lose value and soon the site would complement parks and recreation as well as assist greatly in additional storm water retention.

On November 8, 1977, voters approved the new fire hall construction with a vote of 1,390 for and 1,258 against. A close vote, but relief felt by Chief Scheele and his department for they knew, this was the best long-term solution for the many issues discussed. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held June 21, 1978 and the Marshall Fire Department moved into the new quarters on April 24, 1979.

Chief Scheele looking back, he said there were many challenges with this particular building project, but the team effort was the most gratifying part of the project, “the whole Department did their part”, said Scheele. He further added, “Even though at the moment support for the project was uncertain from many, the community can now appreciate a Fire Hall we can all be proud of”. The saying goes, the road to success is always under construction, the Fire Hall project continues to be that success.

— Sharon Hanson is the city administrator for the city

of Marshall