The Osgood Volunteer Fire Department was actually organized in 1939. Before that, the fire protection was
done by any number of people that responded to the fire bell.
There was a FIRE CHIEF appointed by the Osgood Town Board in late 1886, J.B. Wright. His appointment
came as the delivery of the town's first fire apparatus, a 1886 Rumsey Hand Pumper. (See Below) The
town named the volunteer effort the OSGOOD FIRE COMPANY #1.
Although there was a Chief and fire apparatus, the manpower still came from any volunteer that
found out there was a fire and help was needed. In the very early 1900s, a two stopry building was built. A fire bell was
placed on top and the rope ran down to the ground level, available for anyone to ring upon learning of a fire. This alerted
any citizen that would help. This bell was still on the firehouse when the OVFD moved in 1976 to the present location, and
now sits on display in the front yard!
A motorized firetruck, Osgoods first, was bought by the town board. A 1923
REO truck with a 1923 Howe Piston Pump mounted on it was delivered to the town for use by the volunteer citizens.
The town pushed for a better organized group, and promised a new pumper truck if a fire department
with actual members could be developed. In 1939, the Osgood Volunteer Fire Department began. With this change began the
official membership roster, regular meetings and trainings and a real list of names of responding firefighters
that could help when the bell sounded.
The Fire Dept later got a siren to alert the firemen and discontinued the use of
the bell, although it was rang on occasion, many times by a drunk from the tavern next door!
