In 1892 the city water works began installing water lines on First Street. The project was completed in 1894. That same year the water and fire company responded to the Snelson & Lovan Saloon, located on First Street, to extinguish a fire. This is the first recorded fire call in Willow Springs.

During this time the city's only fire fighting equipment consisted of only a Hose Cart. The Hose Cart was a unit that was pulled by the firemen by hand to their calls. It was not until the model T era came along that the firemen could hook it to a car and pull it to the fire calls.

The first fire station was located at the corner of First and Pine Grove Road, in a portion of the Grant Davis Lumber Company Building.

In 1934 the city purchased it's first motorized fire truck. The truck was a 1934 Dodge, built by Central in St. Louis Mo. Bob Dunivan, father of Pat, was the Fire Chief when the new Dodge arrived in Willow Springs. Upon it's arrival the firemen paraded the truck through town. The new fire station was located in the building underneath the High Street water tower. That building is still used by the City and contains the first water well drilled in Willow Springs. The well is currently being used by the city.

In later years the city built another fire station on Second Street, located in what is now the Police Department. During that time period it was in the front section of City Hall.

In 1953 the city bought a 1953 International truck from local dealer Bob Bailey. The truck was taken to Elmira New York to the American Lefrance Foamite factory where the top of the cab was removed and the fire fighting portion of the truck was installed. The truck was delivered back to Willow Springs on a railroad car. A large crowd gathered to watch the firemen unload the new shiny fire truck. This truck served the city until 1998. The fire truck was sold to the Fire Museum of Missouri and still remains in Willow Springs. The truck served the city and rural areas for 45 years.

Second Street Fire Station caused many problems during the years. The door was only four inches wider than the fire truck. Often when leaving on a call, the driver would scrape the fenders on the overhead door. This damaged not only the truck but also the door. Due to the parking of cars on Main Street the driver would have to make several attempts to get onto the street by pulling forward and then backing up.

In 1969 the city bought a new Ford-American-Lefrance pumper. This truck was a little over eight feet wide with the ladders, but the fire station door was eight feet wide. This posed a problem to the city fathers. In 1969 the city bought the old Stable Hotel, located next to the viaduct. The old Hotel was tore down and the current Fire Station was build on that location.

The 1969 Ford-American-Lefrance pumper served the city until it was sold to the Summersville Fire Department in September of 2000. This truck served Willow Springs for 31 years. It served both the city and the rural area during it's life in Willow Springs and went on thousands of fire calls.

In the mid 80's, after several deadly highway crashes, the firemen saw the need for a rescue unit. After many hours of work from the firemen and radio station KUKU, $16,000 was raised during a radiothon and Willow Springs was the first community in Howell County to have a Rescue Unit. This was a very happy day for Willow Springs. The unit has saved many from a certain death.

In 1977 the Rural Fire Protection Association was formed. The city contracted to provide fire protection for Rural Members and purchased a 1977 Chevrolet Pierce Mini Pumper. This was a 4-wheel drive truck which remains in service today. The city also donated a surplus 1961 Ford Pole Truck to the Fire Department. The Firemen re painted this truck and had a 900 gallon water tank installed on it. These two trucks made many runs together until the tank truck was replaced in 1998. The 1961 Ford was sold to the city of Mansfield and they now use it as a sewer sludge truck.

In 1990 the city purchased a used 1980 Ford from Fire Master in Springfield, Mo. This truck remained in service until August 2000. It was the primary pumper for the city during it's stay in Willow Springs. It was sold to a small community close to Donaphan, Missouri.

In 1998 the city purchased a 1985 Chevrolet with a l800 gallon tank, and this truck is still in service today. It is used mainly for rural fire calls but is used where needed.

In 1999 the city purchased a Freightliner built by "Quality". It was the first new truck purchased since 1969. The truck has a 1250 gallon a minute pump and carries 1000 gallons of water. In 2000 the city bought the sister truck to the 1999 model. The truck is a l999, but the pumper is a 2000 model. One is used for the city and the other is used for rural calls.

Through the years the fire station was renovated several times to accommodate trucks and equipment. There was originally two stalls in the building and today there are six units. Two walls have recently been removed and firemen now have to raise one door for the new ladder truck.

The ladder truck is a 1985 model and was given to the Willow Springs Fire Department by the U.S. Forest Service. It has a 100 foot ladder with a platform and deck gun. This truck also serves the cities of Mt. View, Cabool, Pomona, and West Plains as a mutual aid unit. "If we are called we will go."

The 1934 Dodge is now owned by the local Shrine Club and is stored in West Plains. The truck returns to Willow Springs each year for Christmas parade.

Over 125 Volunteer Firemen have served on the Willow Springs Fire Department since January 1975. A list of all volunteers is being researched at this time. We do know the first fire helmet was brought to Willow Springs by Ted Munford and Soup Stringer. They went to a surplus store in Springfield and brought it back to Joe Corn, who was the Fire Chief. The first protective clothing for the firemen came to town in 1934 with the new Dodge. Before this the volunteers fought fires in their work clothes. At last count 17 men have served as Fire Chief for the city of Willow Springs.

The Willow Springs Fire Department continues to grow. The countless hours of training needed for the volunteers continues to increase as new products are developed. New Hazardous Materials are developed every day and the Fire Fighters have to know how to handle them. Hazardous materials are transported by rail and trucks through Willow Springs every day.