The Newcastle Fire Department, with Henry Leppla as its chief, was inaugurated in the early part of 1890 with equipment as good as could be purchased at the time. It consisted of the Mondell Hose Company and the Newcastle Hook & Ladder Company.
The Mondell Hose Company was led by foreman Don Miller and assistant foreman Mayor Walter Schoonmaker. The Newcastle Hook & Ladder Company was officered by William H. Benns as foreman and John Handell as assistant foreman. Each organization had a complete and enthusiastic membership, which continued to be the case for a number of years.
The department as it is known today was formed in 1933 when the threat of higher fire insurance rates caused the town to call a special meeting on March 23, 1933.
From that meeting, City Ordinance #5, Series 1933, was passed on May 1, 1933, creating the Newcastle Volunteer Fire Department. Section 4 provides for a chief and an assistant chief elected by the members of the fire department and certified by the mayor and city council. The first fire chief was Clarence Brill, along with assistant chief M.L. Hays.
The first fire truck was a 1935 Chevrolet purchased out of Denver, Colo. That truck still serves the City of Newcastle in parades and escorting Santa through town. The city built the current fire hall in 1979. Current membership allows for 50 volunteers on the department.
Newcastle Volunteer Fire Department Members
Fire Chief - Chris Kenney
Assistant Fire Chief - Meritt Pederson
Secretary - Jessie Redo
Treasurer - Curtis Harley
Captains
Lane Zerbst
Ryan Whipple
Paul Eitel
Austen Kenney
Lieutenants
Jared Jarnagin
Skylar Jenkins
Jessie Redo
Ceasar Garduno
Safety Officers
Craig Bruch
Donny Munger
Austin Baker
Learn more about the Newcastle Volunteer Fire Department on our Facebook page!