The Evendale Fire Department was established on April 13, 1959 as a full-time career department, consisting of eleven members. The original complement of equipment included 1-1959 Peter Pirsch Aerial Truck, 1-1959 Peter Pirsch Pumper and a Chief's vehicle (1959 station wagon). That first year the department responded to 79 fire emergency calls.
Until 1970 the Blue Ash-Montgomery Life Squad handled emergency medical calls in Evendale. Because of the growing number of medical calls, Evendale established an Emergency Medical Service in 1970 to better serve its expanding community. In 1971 Evendale Fire Department responded to 256 fire emergencies and 222 medical emergencies.
In 1995 the fire department upgraded its level of EMS services from basic to advanced life support with paramedic personnel. Cross-trained firefighter/paramedics not only perform firefighting duties but also can start IVs, administer drugs, intubate airways, and monitor for cardiac arrhythmias. The department maintains a primary paramedic ambulance and a secondary BLS, or basic, ambulance.
Today the Evendale Fire Department is staffed with twenty-four Suppression/Line personnel, one Chief officer and an Administrative Assistant. During 1999 the department responded to nearly 1,500 emergency calls.
From its inception the Evendale Fire Department has been and is still today recognized and respected throughout the region as one of the most progressive, well equipped and best trained fire departments around. This is due to support from both the citizens and the city fathers of Evendale and excellent leadership from within the fire department. Evendale Fire Department is one of only four fire departments in Hamilton County classified as a full-time career department.
Chiefs of Evendale Fire Department |
1959 - 1967 |
Virgil E. Botiller |
1967 - 1986 |
Edward F. Gassert |
1986 - 1993 |
James H. Bailey |
1993 - 2008 |
John A. Vail |
2008 - Present |
Richard G. Cruse |
Chief John A. Vail Chief James H. Bailey
Chief Edward F. Gassert Chief Virgil E. Botiller
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