In 1922, saw the City of Susanville’s reorganized fire department, complete with a new fire engine. Initially, they would respond to fires outside the city limits. That changed on November 30, 1926 and the City prohibited the fire department from leaving the city limits. There were a few exceptions. The City would provide fire suppression for the lumber mills, the county hospital and the two public schools in the unincorporated areas. The reason for aiding the mills was not that they were the largest employers, but they had their own fire departments. Those mills could reciprocate with fire assistance inside the City if needed.
The reason for the City’s abrupt decisions not to provide fire assistance outside its boundaries came from fire underwriters, who informed the City that they would have to raise fire premium rates for the City if they continued to provide aid outside the City limits. It was their contention that the City did not have sufficient equipment to protect the property outside the City, and a fire then occurred inside the City; there would be no means to fight it. The City informed its neighbors in unincorporated areas that once they equipped themselves, the City would provide mutual aid.