Even before local government had been fully set up some kind of fire fighting brigade was organized. After village government was established it was found that funds were not available nor was it feasible to have  full time paid fire fighters.

As early as 1829 William Bushnell carried a "papper" to the citizens soliciting funds for fire fighting equipment to replace the primitive method of fighting fires in the village by throwing buckets of water on the flames. The collection was sufficient to purchase a two-crank powered pumper which was one step better then throwing water from buckets.

By 1846 the need for a new hand engine became necessary because of the multiple storied buildings that were being constructed in the community. the old crank pumper failed to throw water to the upper floors. Six hundred dollars were asked for on July 6, 1848 but by the time the hand fire engine was delivered, it required one-thousand dollars to pay for it.

Patrick Purdy Hall, a trustee, was the moving spirit in presenting a resolution on Feb. 24, 1848 to the trustees to authorize and empower the body to organize a community fire company.

Only one item pertinent to any fire company appeared during the next five years. It was a newspaper note stating that the trustees paid James Purdy a $9.50 rental of a barn to house a fire engine during 1850

One of the most renown of Mansfield volunteer fire companies, , Torrent Fire Company No. 2, was organized July 4, 1852. Mansfield Old Deluge No. 1 Co. preceded the Torrent Co. by a few years. Although many of the old records of the Deluge Co. were lost, men from this company formed a nucleus for future volunteer fire companies.

Since a great portion of Mansfield's early population was German, Germania Hose Company No. 3 must be recognized as one of the interesting units.

The hose and ladder company in the above picture has not been identified but it is thought to be either Old Deluge or the Germania Co. The Historical Society would welcome a definite identification of the fire company.

Torrent Fire Company No. 2 can be definitely eliminated as being the one in the above picture because description of the Torrent uniform states that the men wore black trousers, double breasted red flannel shirt, black neckerchief, and a large red

Deluge Company used an old model machine which required the water be delivered to the pumper by a bucket brigade. Torrent's more modern machine could pump water from various cisterns that were constructed strategically about the downtown area. As is the case today with voluntary fire units, the hard work and drilling was offset by the social functions of the company.

For Torrent No. 2 the St. Valentine's Day Parade of the Fantastic was the event of the year. Early in the morning each Feb. 14 the brigade gathered at the square dressed in Mardi Gras type costumes. Sometimes the festive parade took on a more serious note with historical pageant presented.

After the morning festivities the fire company turned semi-military appearing in uniform and bearing muskets as the Torrent Light Guards. With bands playing and a straw bull's-eye target held aloft the parade would proceed to the junction of South Main St. and Lexington Ave. and the old fairgrounds. The fusiliers would move farther south to about the vicinity of present Greenwood Ave. and the target would be nailed to a large yellow popular tree by the band Drum Major. Then the target shoot for the valued trophy would take place.

Youngsters would gather out of harm's way and admire the Light Guards as their heroes.

The unit would march back to the square and prepare for the social event of the season,   the Gentleman of the Guard Ball.

Only the elite of the community were invited to the dance which was held at the Melodian Hall, and later Miller's Hall, to the music of Professor Charles Munster, a student refugee of 1848 from Germany.

When the Holly Water system was installed more modern fire fighting equipment could be used as the water was then under pressure from the street mains.

The Fire Department was later organized in the 1880's with full time paid fire fighters, first with horse drawn steam powered pumpers, and then in 1919 fire trucks were being used at all stations.

perhaps those who took part in the colorful volunteer companies with their prestige and many social events mourned the passing of the hand drawn and operated pumpers and ladders as much as the later fire fighters mourned the passing of the horse drawn steam pumpers and the regular morning drills that were held in front of the old city building fire station to the delight of the citizens.