The Buckland Volunteer Fire Department was organized March 22, 1901 with Theo E. Reed as the first fire chief and Albert Sillin as the assistant chief.   The first building to house the department was located in the same area as the current structure.  In 1976 a three bay addition was added to the fire house.  In 1985 the department installed a combination lock on the fire house. This was the first time we had to lock the fire house.  In 1991 the department built another addition to the fire house, more than doubling the 1976 addition. A kitchen was added in 1993.  A pole building was added to the back of the station during 1993.   The most recent addition was completed in 2000, which was an addition to the kitchen. 

     In the early days, the department had a pumper and hose cart that was pulled to the scene of the fire by department personnel.  The pump was operated by the pushing a bar up and down from each side of the pump.  Water for fire fighting came from cisterns located along Main St. in the village.  Each cistern held around 3,500 gallons of water.  Many of these cisterns are still in use today. 

     The department saw it's first gasoline powered fire truck in 1941.  This truck was a 1938 Ford equipped with a 500 gallon tank of water and a 350 gallon per minute pump.  Water supply was a problem for fires fought in the rural county areas.  Often on a large fire, personnel would just start to get control and run out of water.   In 1950 the fire department added a semi-truck with a 1,500 gallon trailer to haul water.  It was a mixed success because not every fireman could drive a semi, and there were a lot of places they couldn’t get the truck to the fire.  In 1962 the fire department received a brand new Ford fire truck with a 500 gallon per minute pump and a 1,200 gallon water tank.   This truck was still in service until 1998.  In 1964 another new truck was added.  This truck had a 350 gallon per minute pump that was taken off the 1938 fire truck and was used on this truck.  The truck was built with a 1,500 gallon water tank.  This truck replaced the semi truck as a tanker and served the department until 1998.

     In 1975 the department received it's first grass fire unit.  This truck is a 1975, Ford, 3/4 ton, 4 x 4, with a 250 gallon per minute pump, 250 gallon water tank, generator, cords, and lights.   This truck is still in use today.  In 1978 the department acquired a used Ford truck and also bought a used gasoline delivery truck tanker.  This was converted into a 1,500 gallon tanker with a quick drop valve on the back.  It was also equipped with a 1,500 gallon drop tank.   In May of 1986 the department received a new Ford diesel fire truck, with a 1,000 gallon a minute admidship pump, 1,200 gallon water tank, and top mounted pump controls on the deck.  In 1985 the department bought an used van from the Buckland Telephone Company for use as an equipment truck.  This was replaced in 1993  by a 1987 GMC 18 foot walk in van.  In 1994 the department bought a 1981 International tandem axle all wheel drive tanker truck with a 500 gallon per minute pump and a 2,000 gallon water tank.

     In 1999 the department received a 1999 E-One Freightliner, equipped with 1000 gallon water tank, 1250 gallon per minute pump.  This was the first 4-door cab engine with 4 SCBA Seats.  This option allows 4 fire personnel to be geared up and ready to enter a structure upon arriving at the scene.   In 2000, the department purchased a 2000 Ford F-350, diesel powered grass truck.  This is equipped with a 250 gallon tank, and a 250 gallon a minute pump.

     In the beginning, fire personnel were alerted that there was a fire by the use of a large bell located at the fire station which was rang to let personnel know there was a fire.  In 1903, when the Buckland Telephone Company was formed, the telephone operators would ring one long ring on each line then announce where the fire was located.  In the 1940’s a fire siren was installed to alert the firemen of a fire.  In 1970 fire bar telephones were installed to alert firemen of fire and location.  Central dispatch at the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office activated them.  There were only six phones.   In 1973 the department went to Federal Monitors activated by the Auglaize County Central dispatch.  Each fireman had one which added a much better response time to the fire scene.  In 1983 the department bought pagers for all the firemen.  We went to Motorola as we could not get the Federals repaired.

In 1980 the fire department started a cadet program.  Cadets must be 14 years old and have parents permission to join.  A cadet’s duty is to help firemen in whatever way they can but not be allowed in a burning structure or a dangerous situation.

In 1988 the department assisted Logan and Moulton township trustees in setting up an enhanced 911 emergency system.  This was a really big step forward as it is a great help to E.M.S. and the fire department to know the location of the problem as well as what the trouble was.