Dispatching History

Phone Communication

In 1946, the phones in eastern Beavercreek were on the Xenia exchange and western Beavercreek was on the Dayton exchange. Both fire stations (Number 1 and Number 2) had a common Dayton phone number. The Number 1 station in eastern Beavercreek had to have an additional phone number on the Xenia exchange. It was difficult at times, as some residents had to call long distance to get the fire department. Four different homes were equipped with fire phones. Emergency calls came in to all of those homes like a party line. Those homeowners always prearranged that at least one resident would be home to take calls. In addition to that, they were able to set off the sirens located on top of the fire stations. If our volunteers heard the siren, they reported to their fire station. The person taking the emergency call would also call the District Chief and if he was not home, would call the next one on the list. In turn, that firefighter’s wife would call two other firefighters’ homes. So on down the list of phone numbers went the call, like a chain reaction.

Fire Monitors

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, fire monitors were purchased by the township, the station association, or by the firefighters themselves. Each firefighter had one at his home.