History talk focuses on Libby firefighters

The Libby Pioneer Society will host a presentation on the history of the Libby Volunteer Fire Department on Oct. 20.

Retired firefighter Bob Pival will serve as the guest speaker, using digitalized photographs to showcase the department’s storied history.

Bob Stickney, president of the pioneer society and a former firefighter, said he is excited for the blast from the past.

“It’s very interesting to me to see what they did back then,” he said.

The department got its start in 1911 during the lumber boom. Volunteer firefighters at the time trained to form bucket brigades to extinguish blazes.

Stickney is particularly interested in the development of the city’s early fire hydrant system, which he described as ahead of its time.

“I think the city, when they built all this stuff, they knew they were going to have fire protection,” he said. “It was pretty unique for a little town to have a hydrant system.”

The presentation is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday at the Church of the Nazarene, 186 E. Horseshoe Drive.