In the early days bucket brigades were formed using buckets made of leather and rubber which were filled with water from streams, ponds, rain barrels, or wherever it was available. The buckets were then passed from one person to the next until they reached the fire.
As early as 1860, Ada had a hand operated pump mounted on a small steel wheeled wagon which was 4 ½ ft long, 20 ½ in wide, and 10 ft deep. The tongue was 5 ½ ft long and made of steel. The pump was of piston type and had two wooden handles. It was operated by about four men. It is now at housed at Ghost Town near Findlay.
On March 11, 1874 Ada Corporation purchased a steam fire engine from Silsby Manufacturing Company for $5,900 payable at $700 a year with 7 percent interest payable semiannually. Ada was the birthplace of Northwest Ohio Volunteer Firemen's Association (N.O.V.F.A.), first held in 1874. Other conventions were held in 1881, 1954, and 1974, all in Ada.
On Feb 12, 1883 bonds were issued to pay for seven wells and cisterns to be used in fighting fires. In August, 1884 the constitution and by-laws were accepted by the council which states – "This organization shall consist of two departments, acting together and shall be known as the Empire Fire Engine and Hose Company. This company shall not consist of more that 100 nor less than 20 active members. The officers of this company shall consist of a foreman and assistant foreman, secretary, treasurer, foreman and assistant fore of hose, and six engineers. These instructions must be strictly obeyed." The first Chief was Agnew Welsh.
At the Feb 17, 1890 meeting, a committee was appointed to make arrangements so a team could pull the fire apparatus, also purchase a coal cart. Coal was purchased for $3.00 a ton, as of March 21, 1898. Council agreed to pay $2.00 for a team to haul the engine to and from fires. At the June 19, 1893 meeting, a discussion was held on combining the three divisions; engine, hose, and the hook and ladder companies into one body. Consolidation was effected October 30, 1893 and the department renamed Ada Fire Department.
On Jan 21 1895, council granted a request that firemen be paid $5.00 a year. In June, 1896, a chemical fire engine was purchased. At the Nov 15, 1897 meeting Chief S.D. Willard reported the two engines in good condition, and adjourned to try out the chemical engine.
