About MERRITT ISLAND VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

1951

The Merritt Island Volunteer Fire Department was organized on Tuesday February 13, 1951.

Chief Dewey headed the meeting with approximately 65 members present. In the early days of the dept, farm spray trucks were used as fire engines. The first firehouse, which housed 3 fire trucks, was on SR520 between Courtenay Parkway and Tropical Trail in an old packinghouse. There were approximately 700 residents on Merritt Island at that time. 

The Department started a fundraiser in May of 1951, by selling Sunday dinners under an open pavilion adjacent to the firehouse. Dinner’s consisted of an entrée, coleslaw, baked beans and a drink. The Department started with fried mullet, which lasted till 1953 when fish prices got to high. From 1953 to 1958 they sold BBQ chicken. Then in 1958 they changed their recipe to fried battered chicken half’s… to be later being known as the famous “MIVFD CHICKEN DINNER”. The price of a chicken dinner was $1.00. The money raised later paid for the building known as the Chicken Shack and Station 21.

1958

The Courtenay Volunteer Fire Department was organized on April 13, 1958.

In the Mid 1950’s the Brevard County Government was divided into 5 areas known as Districts. Merritt Island was known as District 2, with each district having its own fire control. Brevard County, District 2 Fire Control, worked hand in hand with the volunteers.  District 2 over saw fire fighting operations under the command of Volunteer Fire Chief, Donald Gilroy (Volunteer Chief from 1961-1968 and 1969 – 1978). On April 13, 1958 our neighboring town of North Merritt Island organized their own Volunteer Fire Department, known as “The Courtenay Volunteer Fire Department” to protect the farmer’s properties.

The Department began building a fire station and purchased a fire engine.

In the late 1950’s the department raised enough money to build a two-story firehouse on Magnolia Blvd, to update firefighting equipment and purchase a first class “A” Ford / American LaFrance fire engine. The engine shipped from Elmira, New York and arrived in December 3, 1958. The pumper had a Ford F-600 chassis, 272 Cu. In. engine, American LaFrance fire engine body, 500 Gallon Per Minute Pump, water tank of 500 gallons … overall the engine cost to the Departmentwas $9,800.

1960

The Department’s fire station (Station 1) was built.

With the growth of Merritt Island in the 1960’s, the Departmentneeded to expand in size and hire paid volunteer fire fighters. The first firehouse (Station 1) was started in 1959 and finished in 1961 on Magnolia Blvd.; the building still stands today and is currently owned by the 1st Baptist Church of Merritt Island. Also in 1960 The Merritt Island Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary was established.They brought refreshments to the members during fires, assisted in County disasters and worked around the fire station to prepare Sunday dinners.

1967

Hired the first paid volunteer fire fighter.

Within the next few years, Brevard County Commission started to buy surplus apparatus and build more firehouses. The volunteers sold their trucks to District 2 in 1967 and hired the first paid volunteer fire fighter, Jack Houts. Houts started as a volunteer with the Department in 1963 and worked his way up to Assistant Chief. Chief Gilroy was also appointed a paid position as Chief of District 2 Fire Control (1968 – 1985). District 2 fire control would now man the firehouse with Chief Gilroy and Firefighter Houts during weekday business hours, using the volunteers as their backups.

1968

The Department’s second fire station (Station 2) was built.

In 1968, Station 2 was built on North Banana River Drive (known today as Station 42). This station also served as a repair facility for the Department’s apparatus, because it was built with a mechanic pit. In March, with the help of the Red Cross, the Ladies Auxiliary purchased a 1963 International Step Van, which was converted into a mobile canteen, equipped with coolers and equipment to serve meals during disasters and major incidents. Merritt Island had grown due to the Space industry, making the population of Merritt Island between 10,000 and 15,000. The Volunteers continued to sell Sunday dinners with an average of 1,000 chickens per weekend.

1969

The Department purchased another fire engine.

In 1969, The Department bought a Ford Snorkel truck (The Department named Squirt), which had a 40ft boom with a nozzle. The truck was a recommendation from District 2, Chief Gilroy. The cost of the truck was $27,000.

1970

The Department began to grow along with Merritt Island.

From 1951 to 1970, Department would average 400-500 fire calls a year. By 1970 Merritt Island Volunteer Fire Department and District 2 had grown. Together running two fire stations, utilizing 7 apparatus’(1 Chief’s Vehicle, 3 Pumpers, 2 Brush Trucks and a Snorkel Truck). Coming into the 1970’s with the Space Era booming, Merritt Island had an influx of residence. The Guinness Book of World Records claimed that Merritt Island was the largest unincorporated city with approximately 60,000 residences. With the increase of Merritt Island population, the call volume also increased.

The Department changed the names of their stations and equipment.

The District then changed. Station 1 became Station 21 and Station 2 became Station 22. Trucks and dispatch were given names; Dispatch was Mother Hen; Engine 1 was Dainty Doll; The Snorkel truck was named Squirt; Engine 211 was named Green Machine; Engine 212was named Phoenix. The Brush Trucks became Brush 211 and 221. 

The Department was in full swing.

The Volunteer Department was in full swing. On Sunday, people would line up and wrap around the building for the chicken dinners, which later was named the Chicken Shack. The second floor of the firehouse was made into a banquet room, where the department held catered affairs for big companies, weddings, etc. Note: President Lynden Johnson was served by Members of the MIVFD during a catering event. This also helped raise money for the fire department. The volunteers continued to buy new equipment including self contained breathing apparatus (SCOTT air packs) and extrication equipment.

1973

On Alma Blvd., a fire station and training facility was built.

In the mid 1970’s District 2 built another fire station on Alma Blvd., in the North part of the district. The building was a metal butler type construction. Built on the property was a 2-story concrete burn facility to better train the members. This was Station 23, which housed 2 Pumpers (Engine 231: Liberty and Beauregard) and Brush Truck 231. Some notable fires during this time were Hancock Fabrics (Merritt Square Mall), Fruit Packing Facility (North Merritt Island).

1975

MIVFD and CVFD worked closely to protect Merritt Island from several fires.

During the 1970’s District 2 and The Volunteers ran more than 600 calls per year. A private Ambulance service provided the citizens with trained Paramedics (Brevard Ambulance Service). The paid fire fighters and volunteers worked as one. Station 21 purchased a Rescue Truck R211. Merritt Island Volunteer Fire Department and Courtenay Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD) had grown very close throughout the years. By now CVFD had Station 20 and ran 1 Chief’s vehicle, 2 Engines and 2 Brush trucks.