(PRWEB) July 28, 2015
Barbara Mashburn, a mother, grandmother, Christian, history buff, volunteer, disabled worker, community activist, devoted writer and author, has completed her first book “Jacksonville Fire Department”: a riveting, historical account of the firefighters and fire departments of Jacksonville.
“It was my pleasure to transcribe these journals into this book,” said author Barbara Mashburn. “This book is a way to help the Jacksonville Fire Department with funds that will help with items that they are in need of.”
Published by New York City-based Page Publishing, Barbara Mashburn’s non-fiction account tells the story of the backbone of one city!
In 1941 the City of Jacksonville had a population of about 100 people. The city was protected by two fire stations. In 1941 this was a lot of fire protection for a town with such a low population. The fire stations were actually for the Arkansas Ordinance Plant (AOP). The AOP employed more people than actually resided in Jacksonville. The fire department was staffed with eighty-five men that worked eight-hour shifts. The firefighters stayed busy handling the numerous fires that occurred at the AOP. When the first fire trucks arrived in Jacksonville, they were painted army green. Chief L.A. Pluche convinced the AOP to paint the new trucks red. When the United States entered World War II, most of the men went off to fight. Because of the cut in manpower, the department adopted a twenty-four hour shift. During the next seven years the AOP continued to provide fire protection for the citizens of Jacksonville. When the war was over the AOP was handed over to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This resulted in the manpower at the fire department being reduced further. The department became a volunteer department with only five full time members. Redmond Motors of Michigan purchased the entire ordinance plant in 1948. As part of the purchase Redmond also took over the fire department. Redmond paid the firefighters’ salary, and continued to provide fire protection for the town. Lewis Hamlin of Redmond Motors made a deal with the city. Redmond would donate the fire station and equipment to the city. In return the city would pay the firefighters and maintain a class 6 ISO rating for fifteen years. The deal was concluded in 1949 and H.S. McClung became the first fire chief for the Jacksonville Fire Department, for the city of Jacksonville. Unfortunately Chief McClung died while serving as chief. His term was from 1949-1950.This book portrays our Firefighting heroes in everyday settings from 1947 to 1969.
Readers who wish to experience this notable work can purchase “Jacksonville Fire Department” at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon, Google Play or Barnes and Noble.
For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.
About Page Publishing
Page Publishing is a traditional New York based full-service publishing house that handles all of the intricacies involved in publishing its authors’ books, including distribution in the world’s largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create - not bogged down with complicated business issues like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes and the like. Its roster of authors can leave behind these tedious, complex and time consuming issues, and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.