June 3, 2002
Origination and Growth
Presented to the Public
September 2002
By
Board of Directors
Traditions Fire Company and Museum
1136 South Stagecoach Place
Olathe, KS 66062
(913) 829-4319
TRADITIONS FIRE COMPANY AND MUSEUM, INC
Purpose
The purpose of this organization is to receive, renovate and display historical fire and rescue apparatus, equipment and supplies for the purpose of public education and information.
The main activity will be to display historic fire and rescue apparatus, equipment and supplies. Education and information will be accomplished by written explanation (print and Braille media) of each display, audio and video depictions of the purposes of the apparatus, equipment and supplies and by presentations by professional firefighters and rescue personnel in the uses of the apparatus, equipment and supplies. Information and education will be available to individuals and presented through group activities and tours at the museum and by traveling displays for schools and other organizations.
Apparatus, equipment and supplies for display will be acquired and received through donations and purchases. Parties known to have suitable items for display will be contacted and will be invited to donate items to the museum. Contacts with fire departments and rescue services will be explored to locate suitable items for possible donations for display.
Renovation of items acquired will be done to present each item in as near original condition as possible. Renovation will include cleaning, repairing and painting as necessary.
Origination of the Traditions Fire Company
The Traditions Fire Company and Museum (TFC) was incorporated January 29th of 2001 as a not-for profit company in the state of Kansas. The TFC is approved as a 501(c)3 organization by the Internal Revenue Service. The purpose of the company is preserving fire service history and providing public fire prevention education.
A 1952 American LaFrance Invader Pumper was the first apparatus that belonged to the museum. It was purchased from the Kansas City Fire Museum in 1999. This pumper was partly restored during the time that it belonged to the museum. In 2000 the original owners of the Pumper, The Good Will Hose Company in Westchester PA, contacted the Museum about purchasing the pumper. It was their 150th anniversary and they wanted to have that truck back to restore and show for their celebration. That truck was sold to them in the beginning of 2002.
The Fire Company than Purchased a 1955 American LaFrance 100 foot ladder truck from the city of Webb City, Missouri. TFC took delivery of this unit on February 14, 2002. This Truck served the Westbury Fire Department on Long Island, New York from 1955 to 1980. The truck was then sold to The Webb City Fire Department where it served as the only truck company in the city until it was bought by the TFC in 2002. It was replaced in Webb City with a 1988 E-One 85 foot Quint.
The TFC made its public début on May 15, 2002 at the Merriam Turkey Creek Festival. The truck was used to carry the Merriam Firefighters family members. After the parade the TFC had a static display where members of the community were invited to look at the truck and learn about the museum.
Since them the TFC has had several public events. These events include providing fire prevention and rides to the children of the Unity Church in Overland Park, setting up a static display at Bartle Hall during the International Association of Fire Chiefs conference, taking Olathe South students to graduation on the truck, and other community related events.
The TFC prides itself on the diversity of its members. The TFC’s members are persons of the community who hold an interest in this type of organization. There are approximately 30 members of the organization and some of them serve on the Advisory Council. The Advisory Council is a group of members who help provide direction to the museum and set future goals.
Traditions Fire Company Advisory Council
Director
Steven Shaumeyer- Firefighter KCMO
Assistant Director
Robert Shaumeyer
Community Relations/PIO
Virginia Shaumeyer
Information Tech. / Web Designer
Jason Poland
Advisory Council Members
Paul Askren – Firefighter Merriam
George Mallory – Volunteer Captain
Rick Mosher – Firefighter Southern Platte
John Martello
Frank Carroll, Jr.
Lisa Hunt
Jennifer Poland
Future of the Traditions Fire Company
The Traditions Fire Company has the goal of opening a facility in 2003 capable of displaying a Pumper and a Ladder truck from every decade from the 1950’s to the 1980’s, along with select trucks from before the 1950’s. The facility will have a static display area for equipment and a classroom for providing public education.
The Museum will purchase a nationally recognized fire prevention program to deliver to museum attendants. The Museum will actively seek out Boy Scout groups, schools, church groups, and other community organizations to deliver fire prevention and life safety programs to. In addition the museum will specialize in providing fire prevention programs to special needs children such as blind, deaf and hard of hearing children. The museum will offer programs for older adults and senior citizens.
An Interactive experience is what is to be given to all who attend the museum. There will be hands on activities to participate in. These will include a hose event for attendees to pull out, operate and reload an actual fire hose, a search maze for people to crawl through, a place to practice exit drills in the home (operation EDITH) and they will be able to see and operate different fire service tools in a safe and controlled manner.
For further Information or to set up an event visit our website at traditionsfireco.org or call The Tradition Fire Company at (913) 829-4319.