VFD - Fire Department

• Seminole’s first fire department was a volunteer fire department (VFD) having only one truck. It was a brush fire truck which was always parked at Mohn Funeral Home. Marty Mohn would receive the calls for a fire. She would then sound an alarm to notify the volunteers to report. Marty would announce at the beginning of every funeral to ignore the siren if it went off during the service. It was just a call to the volunteers to report for duty.
• A story which reflects the importance and relationship of the VFD to the community is that of the SHS stadium lights. The local high school, Seminole High school, was brand new. There were no lights constructed as part of the football stadium. The players had to go to Largo to play any night games. They even had to wear Largo football uniforms. The VFD decided to hold fundraisers to help pay for the stadium. They also built concession stands and bleachers. By way of spaghetti dinners, and barbeques, they made $8,000 and paid for lights installed .
• It was suggested that a celebration parade was in order. This parade became an annual event called the “Seminole Pow Wow”.
• The Seminole Fire Department was established after the city of Seminole was incorporated. Prior to that time, the community had a volunteer fire department.
• The Seminole Fire Department has grown from a community volunteer fire department into a professional, well trained group, still active in the community.