KCFD's 142nd Anniversary

On March 12, 1867, the Missouri state legislature was approached, and permission was granted to allow Kansas City to organize a fire department. Provided also was the authority to enforce building codes and use tax money to complete these goals. In August, the City formed an engine company and placed an order for a steamer and two hose carts. Soon after, Francis Foster was elected to be the first chief of the Kansas City, Mo., Fire Department. Problems arose in January 1868 when deliquent property taxes were collected, and the City did not have sufficient funds to pay for the ordered fire equipment. Upon hearing this information, City Councilman John Campbell provided the City with $5,500 to pay for the fire department’s equipment.

On March 12, 1868, the new steamer arrived in Kansas City on the steamboat Kate Kinney, where it was duly christened The John Campbell No. 1, in honor of the man whose donation made its presence possible. On March 14 at 2 p.m. testing began on the new steamer at Fifth and Main streets. At 4:56 p.m. testing was considered a success and concluded.

So, it can be said that at 4:56 p.m. on March 14, 1868 the Kansas City Fire Department was born. The John Campbell No. 1 was engineered by W.O. Huckett. George Huckett was its stoker; T.B. Bullene, the foreman; and S.K. Green, the assistant foreman.

Each time the steamer answered an alarm, a driver and a team of mules were hired for $6.