Village of Terrace Park
Fire Department and Life Squad/Emergency Medical Services

1922        The first dated document is an agreement with the Village of Milford to provide services to Terrace Park.  TP paid $25 per fire run requiring water plus $2-3 to each participating Milford firefighter.  Farm alarms were through the Milford telephone exchange with a "distinctive" alarm to indicate a TP fire.  The Village was broken into districts to help identify the location of the fire.

1941        TP authorized $5,500 for purchase of a "gasoline automobile pumping engine and hose truck." However, plans to buy the fire truck and construct a fire house were delayed by the start of WWII.

1943-44      The Village ordered creation of the Volunteer Fire Department, and Mayor H.B. Fenton appointed Harry Minnick, village maintenance, as Fire Chief. TP accepted a National Defense Corps fire pump and 600 feet of 1-1¹/2 inch hose "for the duration of the war", and rented a Clermont Lumber and Supply Co. truck to carry the pump. Milford still helped fight structure fires – the TP fire equipment was primarily used to put out the frequent grass fires caused by coal cinder sparks thrown by trains. Firefighters worked nights at "the station" to convert the lumber truck to a fire engine, which eventually passed state inspection and was in use 10-15 years

1958-61      Village Council passed an ordinance allowing the mayor to enter into mutual aid agreements. TP bought a new pumper truck for $14,150, and the TP Fireman's Association donated a Cadillac ambulance to the village. Plans began for adding a Rescue Task unit – fundraising included a Pancake Supper, plus sale of home mailboxes (for the new door-to-door mail delivery.) TP tied into the Hamilton County Communications Center for around-the-clock alarm service. County dispatchers remotely activated the Community Building siren and "receiver sets in volunteers' homes..."

1964            TP leased a new International Ambulance; subsequently, the TP Fireman's Association bought out the lease and donated the ambulance to the village. The Council awarded a bid to construct a new 750 gallons/minute pumper for about $16,000.

1966            TP Council recommended establishment of the "Women's Auxiliary Life Squad" to work with the male "Life Squadmen". This was only the second life squad in Hamilton County to have women members. Women were required to 1) have access to an automobile, 2) have no small children, and 3) pass the required firemen's and life squad safety course. Auxiliary members were to be accompanied by at least one man on runs and work only daytime/weekday hours.

1969            The department roster listed 23 firefighters plus eleven "Life Squadmen under Lieutenant Jeanette McMillan", nine of whom were women.

1970-73      Donations and sales of fire extinguishers helped fund a new ambulance. The roster listed "Life Squad" members instead of Life Squadmen. Five women passed the fire department course and drills to join as members, making TP's Fire Department the first in Ohio with female volunteers.

1980-85      The Operation Manual described use of a "Squad Captain" to provide leadership to the life squad members. One of the periodic recruitment crises was resolved when eight new life squad/fire volunteers stepped forward after a "Don't Get Sick on Thursdays" campaign. TP purchased a new task truck and ambulance.

1987            The Life Squad and Fire Department became separate entities, with a joint "Association" organization composed of all active members from both services. Shirley Mittendorf became Life Squad Chief and Pierce Matthews remained Fire Department Chief.

1989-       The Village has continued to support the volunteer Fire Department and Life Squad, funding new

2009        vehicles/equipment and a new Emergency Services building. The November 2009 roster includes 28 life squad and 28 fire department members, including six who are members of both. Three Terrace Park residents and two current firefighters are in the new life squad training class.

Terrace Park Fire Department Squad Chiefs

                    Harry Minnick                               1943                1944

                    Everett Stephens                           1944                Jul-1949

                    Walter Gingrich                             Jul-49               Apr-60

                    Ellis Rawnsley                               Apr-1960         Jan-1969

                    Lee Stegemeyer                            Feb-1969         Jul-1978

                    Pierce Matthews                           Apr-1978         Jun-1993

                    Philip Schneider                            Jun-1993          May-1997

                    Dave Glassmeyer                          May-1997        Mar-1999

                    Jeff Carle                                      Mar-1999        Mar-2008

                    Luke Fry                                       Mar-2008        Present

Terrace Park EMS Squad Chief

                    Shirley Mittendorf                         1987                1988

                    Connie Wilson                              1988                2008

                    John Maggard                               2009                Present