HARRISTOWN - Harristown Fire Chief Steve Gambrill has seen a lot during his four decades as a volunteer firefighter.

Many of those memories will be on display during an open house celebration from 1 to 4 p.m. today, recognizing the Harristown Fire Protection District's 50th anniversary. The district was formed April 21, 1958, and was the last new fire protection district created in Macon County.

"It's kind of a milestone we wanted to celebrate," Gambrill said.

The fire department has an open house each year, but Gambrill said for the 50th anniversary, they decided to offer something more.

He said he's been compiling a list of about 300 retired firefighters and other staffers who volunteered with the district over the past 50 years, so they can be recognized and "to give a history of where we've come from."

The department has put together a collection of photographs, news clippings and other memorabilia that help tell the story of Harristown firefighters. A PowerPoint slideshow also will be shown during the event, Gambrill said.

An equipment display will feature some old and new firefighting tools, including "rubber coats that if we wore today, we'd probably just turn into ashes."

"Turnout gear has become more protective," he said. "We've got all these new modern fabrics and things."

Other changes include new heat and air quality detection systems, computer-aided dispatch and better water pumping capabilities for the department's trucks, which now can fight fires with foam solutions, too.

One thing that hasn't changed is the firehouse's location at 4417 W. Main St. near Wyckles Road.

The fire department's first open house at what is now the Harristown Fire Station and Training Facility drew an estimated 500 people, according to a May 23, 1960, edition of the Decatur Herald.

Gambrill said that because he's been with the fire protection district 40 of its 50 years, many of the names and events he's come across when putting together the story of the district are familiar to him, but looking back at how he and his colleagues have persevered through difficult times still is inspiring.

"There always seems to be a way that they worked it out, and they come through it," he said.

The fire protection district faced some early difficulties in the 1970s as political squabbling among trustees fueled divisions within the fire department. Those developments led to the Harristown Fire Protection District becoming one of the first to elect its trustees. Previously, they had been appointed.

The late 1980s also brought trying times as the community grappled with the tragedy of a 19-year-old volunteer firefighter having set a blaze at a Harristown grain elevator that injured two fellow firefighters.

Still, the department got through the turmoil to continue today with 26 volunteer firefighters, three trustees and a district secretary - all volunteers.

"We really do appreciate our firemen, and I'd like to congratulate them on their 50 years," said Harristown Mayor Rose Marie Ross.

Gambrill said in addition to the history lesson on the fire protection district, open house attendees also can enjoy a simulated fire demonstration and learn how and why firefighters battle blazes the way they do.

Hot dogs, chips, beverages, ice cream and cake also will be provided.

Mary Tallon can be reached at mtallon@herald-review.com or 421-7984.