The history of fire protection in Rose Hill began in 1954 when four local residents – Francis Walton, Short Cox, George Waitt, and Worth Showalter – purchased a pre-1920s fire truck from Joyland Amusement Park in Wichita for $400.00. The truck, manufactured by American LaFrance around 1017, featured wooden spoke wheels and a chain-driven mechanism.
American LaFrance Firetruck
Originally owned by the City of Hutchinson, the vehicle was housed in various garages around Rose Hill, and the men would locate it when needed for emergencies.
In 1957, the Butler County Commission officially established Butler County Fire District #3 through a signed resolution. This district encompassed Pleasant and Richland Townships,
including the City of Rose Hill. A two-bay brick fire station was built on what is now Yeager Street, just east of Rose Hill Road. This building, still standing today, is currently used as storage by a local dentist.
To enhance communication, a telephone system was installed to ring simultaneously in six
1957 Building Plaque
homes and the fire station. A siren atop the station could be activated to alert firefighters to respond to a call. This historic siren now sits on a short pole in front of the current fire station at 911 N. Rose Hill Road as a tribute to the district’s origins.
The first modern fire apparatus arrived in 1957, consisting of a fire engine and a tanker, both equipped with 500 GPM pumps. The tanker could carry 1,800 gallons of water to a fire. Today, this tanker is privately owned by a long-time BCFD#3 volunteer firefighter and can occasionally be seen in the area.
Over the years, the district’s fleet has expanded significantly and now includes two engines, two tenders, one tanker, three brush trucks, an aerial truck, a rescue truck, a trench rescue equipment trailer, and three staff vehicles.
Metal building expansion. Photo circa 1995.
Two building expansions have occurred since the first station was built. In the 1960s, a metal building was constructed west of the brick station and connected by a walkway, more than doubling the space for equipment and providing additional storage and office areas. This building now houses Redline Auto Repair. In 2004, a new facility was completed at 911 N. Rose Hill Road. This modern station includes room for fire trucks, offices, and living quarters, as well as a community meeting room/training room. The station also accommodates an ambulance from Butler County EMS.
Butler County Fire District #3 Fire Chiefs:
- Francis E. Walton – April 1957 to April 1961
- Tom Clinger – April 1961 to April 1963
- Joe Sears – April 1963 to May 1968
- E. S. “Short” Cox – May 1968 to July 1991
- Tom Linot – July 1991 to January 1995
- Steve Perkins – January 1995 to September 1996
- Doug Hereford – September 1996 to December 1996 (Acting Chief)
- Daniel Armstrong – December 1996 to March 2009
- James Woydziak – April 2009 to July 2020
- Kevin Webster – July 2020 to Present
The district made significant progress in staffing beginning in 1996 with the hiring of Chief Armstrong as the first full-time employee. Since then, the Fire Board has prioritized ensuring that paid firefighters are available during the day when many volunteers are occupied with their regular jobs. Today, the station is staffed 24/7/365 by eight full-time and three part-time paid personnel, with additional support from 16 dedicated volunteer personnel.