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Page 2 of 5 In the early 1960’s the Department purchased their tanker which was a late 1950’s model G.M.C with a 1700 gallon. In March of 1962 the Ladies Auxiliary of the A-O Fire Department was organized with a constitution and By-Laws written. There were 19 Charter members and as of the early 1990’s 10 members received a gold watch and certificate for 20 years of service. They are: Johnnie Faye Saul, Nannie Mae Page, Nancy Shepherd, Wilda Ross, Nancy Ross, Catherine Sutton, Willie Gay Boles, Gladys Hensley, Joyce Patterson, and Alene Gerringer. In 1971 the A-O Auxiliary was instrumental in organizing a county auxiliary of the exchange and presentation of ideas. In April of 1972 the A-O Auxiliary was a host to a banquet to celebrate the formation. The banquet was hosted by different department auxiliaries for several years thereafter. The auxiliary was formed to promote the interest of the Fire Department and to help the needy of an incident by trying to find clothes, furnishings, and other necessities. The Auxiliary spent thousands of dollars of money they earned through fundraisers to buy equipment for the Fire Department including the 1st base radio, EMT Supplies, payments on trucks, and much more. In 1968 Thomas Gwynn was elected chief and during his term which ended in 1971 the Department acquired a Jeep through the Civil Defense which was converted into a brush truck. In 1969 the Department purchased a 1969 Ford F-700 cab and chassis to replace the G.M.C tanker. In 1970 the Department a 1970 Ford F-250 with a 500 G.P.M pump to be used as a brush truck. In 1971 the Department elected Eddie Ross as Chief, during his term the Department continued to grow, purchasing another engine which was a 1975 Chevrolet American LaFrance with a 1000 G.P.M Mid ship Pump and a 750 gal booster tank. This truck has been in service until it was removed from service in August of 2007. In March of 1975 the Department put it’s 1st pagers to notify personnel of a call.
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