The first fire company or rather a company organized in the City of Nebraska City, Nebraska for fire protection was in the part of the First Ward known as Kearney Addition, and membership was composed of businessmen and citizens of that section of the village. In the late 1850’s a number of men had created an organization for the mutual protection in case of fire and had twelve short ladders constructed, and distributed among the stores. In those days a building of more than one story was a novelty, and a short ladder enabled them to get to the roof of most any building. A bucket brigade was pressed into service and unless prompt action was had the fire would get out of control.

            When the business section abandon Kearney Addition and the business street known Ferry Street (now 4^th Corso), and moved into Nebraska City proper the “bucket brigade” and ladder company was made into a more permanent organization by forming a Hook and Ladder Company at a meeting held on Kearney Heights, November 28, 1861. This was the Otoe (from the Indian tribe “Otoes”) Hook and Ladder Company of the present day.