History of the Oran Fire Protection District
The Oran Fire Protection District traces its existence back to the Oran Volunteer Fire Department
which was a city based fire department. The Oran Volunteer Fire Department’s recorded history is documented back to
the early 1900's. The department was probably in existence before then but due to a fire at city hall, no records for this
period are available. The city of Oran was founded in 1869 and the fire department’s history probably dates back to
this era.
The department’s first fire truck was a Ford model A, which was used to carry various firefighting
equipment. This truck had no pump and was sold in 1948 when the department purchased its first fire truck. The 1948 fire truck
was a Towers apparatus built on a Chevy Chassis. This truck has a 500 Gallon per minute pump with a 300-gallon water tank.
In 1968 the fire department purchased a second truck from Towers which had a 500 gallon per minute pump and a 500
gallon water tank. This truck also had several compartments which allowed much more equipment to be carried.
The Oran
Fire Protection District was organized by a vote of its citizens on August 8, 1995. The district was passed by a 64% margin,
with 151 for and 86 against. This was essentially a reorganization of the Oran Volunteer Fire Department. The response area
for the department remained about the same, but with the district, the boundaries became official.
In 1998 the Oran
Fire Protection District lowered its insurance rating from a class 6 to a class 5. The Oran Fire Protection District has the
lowest ISO rating of any volunteer department in Southeast Missouri and one of the lowest in the entire state. At a town class
rating of 5, citizens of Oran pay one of the lowest rates around for their fire insurance premiums. For more details on this
subject please check out the ISO section of this website.
In 1998 a 1977 Seagraves Fire Engine was purchased by the
Fire District. This truck has a 1250 GPM pump and a 500 gallon tank. This truck has a mounted deluge gun and additional storage
compared to our other apparatus.
In April of 2003 the district citizens voted for a tax increase which allowed the district to purchase a 1991
E-One Hush Fire Engine which has a 1250 GPM pump and a 750 gallon tank. This truck also has a mounted deluge gun
but has additional compartment space which none of the other engines have.
In September of 2003 the district was awarded a FEMA assistance to firefighters grant in the amount
of $166,089.00 with our portion being $16,608.90. This grant was awarded in the category of Fire Operations and Firefighter
Safety.
In July of 2004 the district purchased a 1993 Pierce Dash Fire Engine that has 1250 GPM Pump and 750
gallon tank. This truck is very comparable with the 1991 fire engine.
Also in late July of 2004 the district was awarded it's second FEMA assistance to firefighters grant
in the amount of $250,000.00. This grant will be used to purchase a NEW FIRE ENGINE, something the district has not been able
to do since 1968. The district's portion of this grant is $25,000.00.
If you have any additional information on the history of the Oran Fire Department or related items
please contact a member of the fire department so that it may be added to this website.
