1850's
Early settlers came to the Littlerock area in the 1850’s. In 1854 the first road was slashed between Littlerock and Tumwater.
1920's
By 1925 a bustling town had developed. On June 27, 1925 the town of Littlerock was engulfed in fire, and the established Olympia firefighters had to be called to keep the fire from spreading further. The region experienced another massive fire, claiming the Maytown Mill, nine homes and ten bunk houses that were destroyed on July 29, 1925
1930'S
Fire was one of the most devastating disasters of the era. In an effort to improve public safety the State legislature provided for the formation of fire districts under title 52 RCW in 1939.
1940's
Thurston County Fire District #1 was formed by a vote of the people in 1947.
1950's
In August 1957, at the request of local citizens in the Littlerock area, a special election was held for the purpose of determining if Fire Protection District No. 11 should be formed. The ballots cast were 121 “yes” votes and 4 “no” votes. The first fire district commissioners (Alvey Morehouse, John Seed and Homer Hedgepeth) were also elected. When first established in 1957 the fire district was approximately 55 square miles (101 sq. mi. today). The 1936 ford was acquired in 1958 from the Kent Fire Department for $500 dollars.
1960's
Grand Mound Fire District (District #14) in 1964.
2000's
Thurston County Fire District #14 was merged into Fire District #1 in February 2002.
2010's
Thurston County Fire District #1 consolidates with Fire District #11 to become West Thurston Regional Fire Authority. Becoming the 4th Regional Fire Authority in Washington State.
NORTH BATTALION (LITTLEROCK FIRE STATION)
The names of the people responsible for the formation of the District are proudly memorialized on the plaque affixed to the engine. It took these special people (Harold Bade, Davie Brown, Homer Hedgepeth, Lloyd Jones, Alvey Morehouse, John Seed, Carlos Winkle) with the vision and commitment to sacrifice their personal finances by signing a bank loan to acquire the District’s first fire engine.
The firefighters who currently staff the firehouse have great admiration and gratitude for those who have served over the 50-year history of the Littlerock Fire Department. Today at the Headquarters Station on Littlerock Road you can see the first fire engine to serve in the District. The 1936 Ford stands proudly in the first apparatus bay as you enter the lobby. It is the story of the first fire engine acquisition that truly signifies the commitment, vision and sacrifices some very special public servants made to ensure public safety. The same personal sacrifices continue today with many of our volunteers who give freely of themselves to serve this larger ever-growing community.
While we proudly maintain the values that the Fire District was formed under, our focus is to maintain the fire district history and values. We understand that the residents of the district trust us to serve efficiently and effectively manage the resources that have been acquired by the residents of the district. We also understand that the decisions we make and what we plan for today, our children and grandchildren may inherit in the future. That humbling thought guides us to maintain the high level of service while focusing on building a fire department with the strength and depth necessary to sustain the rapidly changing community and the escalating call volume associated with that growth.
OUR HISTORY
SOUTH BATTALION
(ROCHESTER/GRAND MOUND)
The current region of Fire District #1 encompassed the communities of Grand Mound and Rochester bordering Lewis County to the south and Grays Harbor to the west, protecting 66 square miles in the southwest region of the county with a population of about 16,000. The south battalion was known as a “bedroom community”, as many call the District home but work elsewhere.
The terrain of the area ranges from flat open valley, to river flood plains to the forested hills of the coastal range. The Chehalis and Black River run from east to west with many small minor tributaries to the Chehalis and Black Rivers including Scatter Creek and Prairie Creek.
The business sector of the district tremendous growth over the past 10 years. The new influx of residential properties has started to bring with it the associated businesses that will support the new population. Businesses include Briarwood Farms who have 3 sites in the District, Weyerhaeuser Company who has a tree farm and nursery, and many Chehalis Tribe, tribal trust land developments including, Great Wolf Lodge, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel and numerous commercial properties along the I-5 (MP 88) - Old Hwy 99/ Hwy 12 interchage.
The diversity of our area can be easily seen by driving from one part of the district to the other. This diversity can be a challenge for our responders and how they operate to and on emergency scenes. Our district remains open-minded to changes to provide safety to the responders and citizens in our continually changing community.