The first records that can be found are from the minutes of the Shelby-Thayer Lions Club on September 16,1948. In order to clarify a misunderstanding that had arisen, the Lions Club president appointed officers for the new volunteer fire department so that the Lions Club would have no responsibility in this matter.

  On October 19,1948 a town meeting was held in the music room at the Shelby schoolhouse for the purpose of organizing a volunteer fire department. Officers were elected for a term of one year.The first elected chief was Tony Heim. He served in that position until September 6,1949. The Lions Club sponsored a fund drive to get the department started and a 1941 Dodge 500 gallon truck was purchased from Lowell.

   Where to house the truck was brought up. The following plans were submitted for the building: 32' wide x 36' long with 10' ceilings and 10' square overhaed doors. All labor was to be donated. Proposed site was 80'  by 175' with the building being in the center of the lot and near the sidewalk. The site was a street then next to the bowling alley. After contacting the Township, the street was closed and we were given a 99 year lease on the spot, which was built on immediately. (Since that time the bowling alley has burnt down and the bowling alley property was donated to the fire dept. by Tony Heim. The fire house has been remodeled five times. In 1979-original bays; 1982-gable roof; 1985-overhead doors; 1990-kitchen and bathroom; and 2001-kitchen and office. There ha sbeen 2 building additions-one in 1969-North bays and then again in 1989-pole barn on south side on donated property.)

   At the time of organization, the equipment consisted of a 1941 Dodge 500 gallon truck. It wasn't untile December 12, 1952 that our first pumper was purchased. It was a 1953 International truck with a 750 gallon tank and a 500 GPM pump. (At this time the Shelby Dept. was taking care of all fires across the river including Thayer and Roselawn. On September 15, 1962, the community of Thayer decided to start their own volunteer fire department. Shelby assisted them in buying their first truck to get them started.) Also in 1962, a Chevy Corvair van was purchased for a rescue truck. In 1968 a new 1969 100 gallon GMC tanker-pumper was purchased with a 500 GPM midship pump. In 1972 a Dodge 4x4 power wagon was purchased. It was reconditioned and a 300 gallon tank was installed by the membership and put 2 hose reels on it for the purpose of a brush truck. In 1976 a new GMC oversized walk-in van was donated by Dorsey and Pat Clinton in honor of their son Joe, who passed away. It was to replace the 1962 Corvair rescue truck. In 1984 a new custom-built American LaFrance on a Chevy with a 1000 GPM pump was purchased to replace the 1952 International.

     As of 2005, Shelby's trucks consist of: a 1999 Ford Brush Truck/Grass Fighter; a 1996 GMC 3000 gallon tanker; a 1993 Ford Rescue LT; a 1983 Chevrolet Pumper; a 1983 Ford Pumper; a 1980 Brush Truck/Grass Fighter; a 1976 Chevrolet Rescue LT; 1985 Ford pumper; and finally a 1976 Chevrolet 2000 gallon Tanker.

   Men were first summoned in 1950 by the sound of a siren, In 1976 that siren was replaced by a windmill tower and an air raid siren that we are still using, In 1978 our first pagers and hand radios were purchased. In 1989 the old pagers and hand radios were replaced with the ones that we are using now,

   The membership of the S.V.F.D has varied since organizing in 1948. From the records we have, the roster in the early days was approximately 14-18 members. It grew from there and today stands at approximately 25 active members. There have been many years of dedicated service to the department and community. As of 1991, there have been 29 members that have served 10 or more years. Six of those members are still active today.

   There were many members that have served the department 20 to 35 years. Alf Carlson served 23 years and was fire chief for 18 of the years. Others were Gabby Hall-28 years; Jake Steel-20 years; Bud Hanley-23 years; John Steiner-21 years; and Don Adams-22 years. Arnie Govert served from 1948 to 1955 and came back in 1968 and was still active in 1991. Arnie has since passed away but still in our hearts. Art Morrison served from 1952 until 1979 with 27 years of active service and then went on inactive duty which entitles him to assist on emergencies when needed. He still on inactive duty in 2005.

   In 1953, the S.V.F.D became the S.V.F.D. incorporated. The S.V.F.D. Inc., is till growing and progressing each year to provide the people of our community the best in protection.

Thank-you to my wife Terri for her help.