History of The Osage fire Protection District
The Osage Fire Protection District, formally known as Taos Fire Department, got its start in 1961 when several citizens got together to put out a barn that was on fire. The citizens then decided that it was time to establish a fire department.Several citizens from the surrounding towns of Taos, Osage City, Wardsville and Osage Bend got together and formed a board consisting of 10 members. This board decided to collect dues from everyone in these areas that wanted protection from the fire department. Land was purchased and a fire station was built in Taos. The first fire truck was purchased the following year. As the department grew and enough funds were collected, a station was built in Wardsville, along with purchase of another truck. Soon thereafter a station was built in Osage Bend. It was also supplied with a truck. More trucks were bought over the years and some of the older ones were replaced.
The board set a fee for the dues every year at their annual meeting. The fee was raised when it was deemed feasible.
Needing more room to store all the trucks and equipment, the board decided in 1998 to build a new station in Wardsville to replace the old one. This new station would become the headquarters of the OFPD.
In April of 2001, the public voted to form a Fire Protection District. By doing so, the district could set their own tax rate and prevent being annexed into other districts.
The vote passed and a board of five directors was selected by the voters. In June of 2001 the Taos Fire Department was dissolved by the board. Thus, a new Corporation was formed, which was named the Osage Fire Protection District. The assets and liabilities were transferred from the Taos Fire Department to the Osage Fire Protection District.
In 2004 the Osage Bend station had to be replaced due to the destruction of the station by a very strong storm with high winds that had come through the town.
As the community continued to grow the board knew there was need for more room to store more equipment at the Taos station. In 2002 the OFPD purchased land next to the existing station in the hopes of building a bigger station in the upcoming future. In 2004 the Board of Directors approved the building of Station 1 and it was completed in 2005.
Over the years, when feasible, the department has purchased Bunker Gear, Air paks, and Extrication Equipment along with other equipment to be used in servicing the District. Some of these items were purchased with the help of Grant money which the department had applied for and received.
The board set a fee for the dues every year at their annual meeting. The fee was raised when it was deemed feasible.
Needing more room to store all the trucks and equipment, the board decided in 1998 to build a new station in Wardsville to replace the old one. This new station would become the headquarters of the OFPD.
In April of 2001, the public voted to form a Fire Protection District. By doing so, the district could set their own tax rate and prevent being annexed into other districts.
The vote passed and a board of five directors was selected by the voters. In June of 2001 the Taos Fire Department was dissolved by the board. Thus, a new Corporation was formed, which was named the Osage Fire Protection District. The assets and liabilities were transferred from the Taos Fire Department to the Osage Fire Protection District.
In 2004 the Osage Bend station had to be replaced due to the destruction of the station by a very strong storm with high winds that had come through the town.
As the community continued to grow the board knew there was need for more room to store more equipment at the Taos station. In 2002 the OFPD purchased land next to the existing station in the hopes of building a bigger station in the upcoming future. In 2004 the Board of Directors approved the building of Station 1 and it was completed in 2005.
Over the years, when feasible, the department has purchased Bunker Gear, Air paks, and Extrication Equipment along with other equipment to be used in servicing the District. Some of these items were purchased with the help of Grant money which the department had applied for and received.