This section of the website is dedicated to the remarkable Kirby Volunteer Fire Department, as well as the residents who are the members. The section is entitled "Community" because Kirby's Volunteer Fire Department refelects just that.

        On June 29, 1950, concerned citizens organized, The Kirby Volunteer Fire Fighters, Inc. The members donated money, material, and time in order to create some protection toward city fires. They made homemade fire equipment, such as a two-wheel trailer and bought other necessities like a portable water pump, hoses, and nozzles. The money came out of their own pockets.

        The city did not have a fire department at this time. Then in 1955, Frank Jaenke donated a plot of ground. Now all the city needed was a building. Club members decided to sponsor a raffle. The raffle proved to be a great success. The money raised by the raffle amounted to $1,416.16. Together with donations from city merchants and money from individuals like Harris Davenport, the original fire house was built in 1952. Even before being incorporated, Kirby had its own fire house.

        Considering the success of the annual fund-raiser, members organized an annual sausage supper. They would go door to door asking for donations to cover food cost. People must have given generously, because the proceeds were enough to purchase all the food and through the years, the Kirby Fire House updated its equipment to state standard. People of Kirby looked forward to these annual suppers. They did not pay much for a plate and enjoyed a day full of good conversation and entertaining contests, all the while raising money for an important cause.

        Members of the Kirby Volunteer Fire Fighters, Inc. were just that, volunteers. Each member had to pay a $3.00 membership fee a year. For any non-member Kirby home owner, an appeal was delivered to their house asking for donations. Not until 1980 was there a contract agreement between the City of Kirby and the Kirby Volunteer Fire Fighters stating such ordinances like the city's right to use the equipment in case of emergency, as well as providing some financial support to the volunteers. With City Council's help and the continous support of caring citizens, the Kirby Fire Department kept on progressing.

        Still, the fee for an inactive volunteer is $3.00 per year, and for an active member it is $1. The mayor himself is a volunteer and Kirby Assistant Fire Chief. Being chief, and the mayor does not provide enough financial cushion for the cost of living, Ray Martin also works as a Sales Representative for Wabash National Trailer Centers. Martin is a perfect example of how dedicated Kirby citizens are to their city's welfare.