The Bartlett Volunteer Fire Department was officially organized on March 23, 1915. Records suggest that the fire department was in existence prior to 1915. At the time the fire department was organized, it had ten members, one hand drawn hose cart with two hoses and a tool box with a city budget of less than $20. The department’s first chief was Fred Blair.

Bartlett at the time had 2200 residents, three banks, three cotton gins, and its own railroad service known as the Bartlett Western. It also had two newspaper services and was the first rural city in the nation to have electric lighting and service.

Bartlett had settlers in the area as early as 1851 and was officially incorporated in 1890.

The fire department’s first fire station was built in August of 1921 for a 1921 Model T hose and chemical truck, which was also the department’s first mechanized apparatus. The fire department’s “Fire Truck” committee members got information on getting their new truck from members of the Granger Volunteer Fire Department. In addition to the Model T purchased by the City of Bartlett, the department had leather rain coats which became the first personal protective equipment for fires used by the department.

In December of 1925, the department used a telephone service provided by the phone company to alert members to fires. By 1926, the department had a Ford Model T and an American LaFrance Pumper. It also obtained helmets to use with their raincoats on fires. 1927 saw the first time the Bartlett Fire Department gave mutual aid to another department. Holland Volunteer Fire Department requested Bartlett VFD for a structure fire in Holland. Holland VFD later thanked and was grateful for mutual aid provided by Bartlett VFD.

In the 1930’s and 1940’s fire department membership grew into the twenties. By the early 1950’s the department was experimenting with foam application which had to be poured into the tank of the fire truck. They also realized the plumbing was being damaged by the foam applications. In 1952, the City of Bartlett purchased a 1952 Chevrolet pumper which had front and rear red warning lights and electric siren as opposed to the hand crank siren that was on the model T and American LaFrance. In the same year, Bell County Commissioners court had allotted $5000 to be divided by all fire departments in Bell County for fire protection in Bell County. In 1961, the City of Bartlett purchased its last pumper for 20 years. The 1961 Chevrolet Pumper cost the city $10,000.00, The Model T and LaFrance were then used as brush trucks.

The Fire Department’s budget by this time was $385. Since the fire department was organized the members were know as the “Fire Boys.”

The fire department at this time was located within City Hall. It featured a second story apartment which was home to the Fire Chief and his family, which was the only full-time paid position in the department. Chief Milford Watson was instrumental during his time with the fire department. Chief Watson joined in 1932 and was active in the department until his death in 1986.

By the 1970’s membership continued to remain in the twenties and the fire department’s budget remained relatively the same as in the 1960’s. In the 1980’s the City of Bartlett purchased a 1981 Chevrolet pick-up which was converted into a brush truck and a 1986 Ford Pumper. By this time, the fire department had complete personal protective equipment for each firefighter consisting of helmet, hood, coat, pants, boots, gloves and now had SCBA units with steel bottles. The department had also purchased extrication equipment. The Model T, LaFrance and the 1951 pumper were no longer being used. The 1951 Pumper was given to the City of Bartlett utility department and was converted into a water tender. The American LaFrance was sold to a private owner. In 1989, the Model T was restored.

The Bartlett Fire Department today features state-of-the-art equipment which includes GPS, thermal imaging cameras, infrared thermometers and digital wireless communications system. The fire department now operates out of a new 5-bay station which was constructed specifically for the fire department and is named after Chief Milford Watson.

The current apparatus in the department consists of a 1994 Freightliner pumper, which is the department’s primary engine for most major incidents regardless of fire and is the backup advanced life support apparatus. The 1986 Ford Pumper serves as a back up engine. A 1983 International tanker has also been added to the fleet and is the primary tender for the area, holding 4500 gallons of water. To handle wildland fires, the department deploys a 1995 Dodge brush truck with a 300 gallon tank and pump with foam unit. Also responding to wildland fires is a 2000 Ford brush truck equipped with advanced life support equipment.

From the fire department’s humble beginnings, we have grown from providing fire suppression with a hand cart to state-of-the-art fire suppression technology, public education, hazardous materials and rescue response, and advanced life support medical rescue.

March 3, 2003