History of the Easthampton Fire Department
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| 1854 |
- Manhan Engine Company is the first organized Fire Dept. This organization of the fire department led to the creation of our water system.
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| 1869 |
- First hydrants installed.
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| 1872 |
- Hook and Ladder purchased for $650.00. Members were paid $0.40 per hour at fires.
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| 1886 |
- Present Fire Station built for $5,103.35. (addition was added in 1929 Ladder side)
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| 1904 |
- After fire alarm street boxes were installed, the first false alarm was received. The individual was fined $25.00.
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| 1907 |
- Horses were introduced and the first permanent firefighters appointed.
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| 1913 |
- First motorized vehicle was purchased for $3,000.
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| 1920 |
- Firefighters' hours were set at 84 per week, with two platoons and additional men hired.
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| 1927 |
- Patrick F. McCarthy died in the line of duty at a fire on Cottage St.
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| 1942 |
- Ambulance service started. First ambulance run went to Providence Hospital. Ambulance was in minor traffic accident in route.
- 72 ambulance runs in 1942.
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| 1947 |
- Firefighters' work week was reduced from 84 hours to 56 hours.
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| 1955 |
- Department was organized into three groups of five men.
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| 1965 |
- Firefighters' hours were reduced from 56 hours to 48 hours per week.
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| 1969 |
- There were now twenty-men in the Department with twenty-five auxiliary firefighters and a few call-men. Purchase of the 1969 Maxim Ladder truck for $49,148. This vehicle is still in service.
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| 1970 |
- Firefighters' hours are reduced from 48 to the current 42 hours a week. They work 10 hour day tours and 14 hour night tours. There are 4 groups of 4 men and an Officer.
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| 1971 |
- Department strength increased to 23 Officers and men. Proposal for the Fire Substation at Plain and Strong Streets was introduced.
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| 1973 |
- Easthampton is one of the first ambulance services in the State to have Nationally Certified Emergency Medical Technicians. Tom Washington, Bill Simmons, Jack Vinelli and Larry Boucher were the first members certified.
- A 1000 gallon Maxim pumper was purchased for $38,000. This truck introduced a new method of fire attack -- the pre-connected hand line, tank water, and mounted SCBA.
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| 1974 |
- Chief Robert Ulm resigned. A rash of fires, the likes of which have not been seen since, occupied Easthampton Fire Department during 1974.
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| 1975 |
- Firefighters build Memorial Park in honor of Firefighter Patrick F. McCarthy at Union and Railroad Streets.
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| 1976 |
- Request to increase Fire Department shifts to 6-men.
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| 1977 |
- Two men were hired to create two 6-man shifts. Two more were proposed.
- Department takes delivery of a 1250 Maxim pumper.
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| 1979 |
- Captain Don McPhee killed in the line of duty at a house fire on Grove St.
- Fire Department expansion proposed with the suggestion to purchase adjoining property.
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| 1981 |
- Proposition 2-1/2 passes.
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| 1982 |
- Ambulance fees instituted after 40 years of free service.
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| 1983 |
- New fire alarm system installed
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| 1984 |
- New radio system installed.
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| 1985 |
- Firefighters reenact Bicentennial bonfire at Galbraith Field.
- Position of Ambulance Billing Clerk created.
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| 1988 |
- Cascade system for refilling SCBA purchased. First EMT-Intermediates were hired.
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| 1990 |
- Fire Chief's position taken out of Civil Service. Robert Plantier becomes first permanent Chief in almost 10 years.
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| 1991 |
- Two firefighters from Easthampton join the Regional Hazmat Team.
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| 1994 |
- The first EMT-Paramedic is hired, looking ahead to State licensing.
- A 1500 gpm KME pumper is ordered. This is the first pumper that was 'spec-ed' by a committee of firefighters.
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| 1995 |
- Our second EMT-Paramedic is hired in May. EFD is licensed as a Paramedic service in August. The KME pumper arrives in August and is in service the first week of September.
- Town Meeting passes Articles to purchase former JP Stevens property, design a Public Safety Facility, and borrow 5 million for construction (depending on State money) Our third Paramedic is hired in November.
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| 1996 |
- Town Meeting funds the two vacancies. Hiring now brings the Department to 6 man shifts - 1 firefighters, with 6 Paramedics.
- In September, the Public Safety Building Committee hires the architect that will design our new facility.
- In November, the town votes to spend $5 million to build a Public Safety Complex.
- In November, we send the first two firefighters in the history of this Department to the Mass Fire Fighting Academy Recruit Training Program.
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| 1999 |
- We move into our brand new building!
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| 2000 |
- Starting off the New Millennium in the new building. December 3rd is the one year anniversary of moving into the new Public Safety complex. We acquired Car 2 Fire Prevention Vehicle and C8 utility pick up truck. We now provide ambulance service to Westhampton.
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| 2001 |
- All four shifts are back to full staffing (6 firefighters per shift). Staffing now includes 9 paramedics. The Department now has 3 ALS (Advanced Life Support) ambulances. Residents can now feel confident that when they call EFD for service that they will get emergency room service at their doorstep. Thanks to the generosity of our residents and a state grant, we now have 2 thermal imagers. We have replaced the old K-12 Saw with a new Echo Quick Vent and taken delivery of some new life saving equipment such as voicemitters, pass devices and air tanks. We are getting ready to order a new pumper that will replace our 1973 Maxim pumper.
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| 2002 |
- We took delivery of the New Engine #1 a 2002 KME pumper. The old Engine #1 is now designated Engine #2 and is in reserve status
- Two mountain rescues on Mt. Tom spark the need for a Rope Rescue Team. Six members of the department now make up the team.
- Deputy Chief Croake secures several huge grants to provide much needed turn out gear, training materials, rope rescue gear and various tools.
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| 2003 |
- We received a golf cart for the bike path responses from Fedor Pontiac Oldsmobile.
- Billing for the ambulance leaves the Fire Department and is awarded to Coastal Medical Billing.
- Chief Morisette retires after faithfully serving the City of Easthampton for 31 years.
- Deputy Chief Croake is appointed Fire Chief.
- The Deputy Chief position is eliminated due to budget cuts.
- FF Steven King is laid off due to budget cuts. This is the 1st lay off in the Fire Department's history.
- The Fire Department did a record number of calls at 2478 for the year.
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| 2004 |
- Staffing is now 3 shifts consisting of 1 Captain and 5 Firefighters and 1 shift with 1 Captain and 4 Firefighters.
- The Deputy Chief's position remains eliminated and we are down 1 Firefighters position.
- This is the 150th anniversary of the Fire Department. A celebration is planned for September.
- Community Emergency Response Teams are created through federal grants from the Department of Public Health. They are known as CERT team members. This is a Homeland Security project. This is also a joint venture between The Board of Health, the Fire Department, The Police Department and the Department of Public Works.
- Open House is planned for June.
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