CHRONOLOGY: Fire Protection in Worthington and Sharon Township
The origins of the current Sharon Township Fire Department lie in the village of Worthington :- 1835 - Village of Worthington is incorporated.
- 1836 - First fire wardens appointed, ordinance passed, ladders, buckets, all males over 18, construction, inspections.
- 1836-1890 - Fire protection provided by buckets, ladders, and the addition of hand-operated pumps.
- 1891 - 1st evidence of taxes for fire department in the Village of Worthington.
- 1895 - Expenditure of village council funds for sinking a well on the Village Green. Used $50.000 from Fire Department Fund.
- 1897 - Village council purchased four fire extinguishers from C.W. Sutphen . Wanted to buy a large chemical engine, but there were insufficient funds.
- 1899 - Council purchased chemical engine with 2 wheels, 2 tanks - one to be filled while the other was being used. Tested on the public square.
- 1907 - Fire department obtained a large fire bell.
- 1908 - Fire protection by one chemical engine, one hand engine. Brochure on Worthington.
- 1913 - Village water system installed. Fire protection on reason for water system.
- 1916 - Formal fire department organized in village with officers.
- 1917 - Village obtained a 1917 Model T Ford truck equipped as a pumper for fire protection.
- 1922 - Fire department located at 665-667 High Street . Equipment: One Ford truck, equipped with 80 feet of 2 - 1/2 inch hose and ladders. One chemical truck with 160 feet of 3/4 inch chemical hose. Alarm tower in the rear of building, housing truck.
- 1931 - Sharon Township formed fire department - three mill levy in November, 1930 . Department served village and township. Not enough tax base in village alone, so township purchased an open cab truck from Seagrave Company at the cost of $5,500.00. 500 feet of hose at $1.00 per foot.
- 1931 - New firehouse adjoining Town Hall ( 67 E. Granville Rd. ) was built facing Hartford St . Sharon Township trustees named new officers for fire department.
- 1944 - Township fire department obtained Dodge truck with 500-gallon pump purchased for $5,000.00 to replace 1931 truck.
- 1949-1950 - Sharon Township firehouse built on 805 High St. site. Only 2 bays.
- 1952 - GMC pumper added to the township fire department.
- 1953 - Emergency squad added to fire department.
- 1960 - Ford pumper added to the department.
- 1973 - Heartmobile added to department.
- 1975 - Fire department vehicles painted lime yellow.
- 1976 - Fire hydrants painted red, white and blue - Bicentennial.
- 1976 - Fire department purchased a 100-foot aerial platform for $228,190.00.
- 1982 - Worthington City Council considered abolishing Sharon Township and assuming responsibility for the fire department.
- 1991 - New emergency vehicles, painted red.