In the spring of 1881, Alex Arnold, owner of the Susanville Water Works, made an offer to the business community for fire suppression. He proposed to install a six-inch pipeline from his holding tank at the west end of town run the entire length of the town’s Main Street at that time (Pine to Weatherlow). In addition, four or five fire hydrants would be installed. The estimated cost was $1,000. Arnold asked the businessmen to purchase it. In return, he would provide free labor to install the pipe and hydrants. In doing so, this would reduce insurance rates and they could quickly recover the costs. They bickered about the costs, and nothing was done.
Fast forward to 1884, after three disastrous fires, the Arnold pipeline proposal was resurrected. Even with the pipeline there was another fire suppression cost—equipment. A hand engine (hose cart), hose and cisterns would cost $800. In April 1884, a petition was submitted to the Lassen County Board of Supervisors to form a fire district for the Susanville Township. On May 6, 1884, the Susanville Fire District was formed.
One of the first order of business was a special election for a proposed tax assessment. That was held on May 24, 1884, and it was approved 67 to 9. By late fall, with money in hand, the Arnold pipeline proposal was in earnest. On January 5, 1885, was a historic day in the history of fire suppression for Susanville. The fire hydrants were in place and the hose cart arrived. It was time to test the new system. It worked. The water pressure from the pipeline allowed the volunteer firemen to shoot water over the two-story Steward House Hotel, the town’s tallest building.