In 1965 a new Class A Pumper was purchased for the department. Once the new apparatus was placed into service, the old Seagrave was retired from service. By the late ‘60s, the department again started to experience growing pains and plans were formulated for a new firehouse. Property was purchased further south - closer to the center of the shifting population. Ground was broken in 1972 and many hours by the volunteers were dedicated to the design and construction of the new larger firehouse. The volunteer firemen and their families again constructed the firehouse.
By 1959 when the Florida Shores development started to expand, it was necessary for the department to increase membership to 30 men. Other changes included more family activities for the membership because of the many hours firemen spent serving the community. During the ‘60s, the department started to sponsor many youth activities to assist the community in providing recreation for the area children.
In 1957, a Board of Governors was installed by the Town Council to run the community center. The department assisted the board in the selling of raffle tickets to be used to purchase air conditioners for the center. The first Little Miss Edgewater contest was held at the community center on July 4, 1957, and was later changed to include Little Master.
Since the meeting hall was running out of room, talk turned to building a new community center/fire station combination with kitchen facilities and public rest rooms. Mayor Lear suggested this to the community-minded members of the department and they mapped out a plan and later a building fund was established. Plans were made to hold a dinner at the Hawks Park Clubhouse in March of 1954 and sell tickets to raise money. The auxiliary was enticed into helping with the dinner. They baked pies and served turkey dinners with all the trimmings to clear a profit of $290.
In 1953, the men started a dues assessment on themselves to raise funds to purchase another fire truck. A used truck was purchased and fitted with a custom built tank. A pump and booster hose was then added. Later, 1 1/2 fire hose was purchased and installed. All of this was done by volunteers without assistance from the city. Meanwhile, the wives of the firemen formed the auxiliary to the department in 1953.
Later in 1952, the department was reorganized with a new set of by-laws. The new members were required to apply for membership and the roster was soon filled to 20 men due to the increased population.
In 1948 the department had responded to five fire calls and conducted drills once a month. By 1951, the department responded to 26 fires. Because of the number of brush fires in the area, the year 1952 brought about some changes. Chief Banes wanted to purchase a unit with the capability of pumping from the front. When the department bought a new 1950 Seagrave Engine despite his protests, he, along with several members, quit in April of 1952.
In April of 1948 Fire Chief Cannon became ill and Elmer Bane was appointed acting Chief. Bane served as acting chief until October when he was elected chief and then served until 1952. The firemen were notified of fire by a siren that was installed on a pole at the corner of Park Avenue, which was located in the center of town. When there was a fire, one of the volunteer firemen that lived next to the siren would blow it. A shed to store their first fire truck an American LaFrance was constructed on Park Avenue where the water department is currently located.
