Springfield Fire Department

The Springfield Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the city of Springfield, Massachusetts. The department is one of the oldest established fire departments in the United States.[3]

Springfield Fire Department
Operational area
Country United States
State Massachusetts
City Springfield
Agency overview[1]
EstablishedJanuary 17, 1794 (1794-01-17)
Annual calls16,053 (2018)
Employees272 (2019)
Annual budget$23,149,354 (2012)
StaffingCareer
CommissionerBernard J. Calvi
IAFF648
Facilities and equipment[2]
Battalions2
Stations8
Engines8
Trucks4
Rescues1
HAZMAT1
Wildland1
Website
Official website
IAFF website

History

In the 1670s, Springfield was burned to the ground during the King Philip's War. As a result, the settlers started to focus on the need for fire protection. Technology of the time limited this protection to a simple bucket brigade.[3] On January 17, 1794 citizens formed a volunteer fire club that agreed to "preserve the lives and property of each other from destruction by fire". This was the start of what would become the Springfield Fire department and makes it one of the oldest established fire departments in the country.[3]

This volunteer department was supplemented by aid from the Springfield Armory until the late 1800s. In 1852 the town was incorporated into a city and this called for a new fire organization.[3] Years later in 1872, the department transitioned to an all paid department. This transition brought about the establishment of a central telegraph alarm system and the creation of a gravity-fed, reservoir water system which is still in use. In 1913, the Department became one of the first municipal department in the country to be completely motorized, using Knox fire engines manufactured in Springfield.[3]

Stations and apparatus

The Springfield Fire Department operates out of 8 fire stations.[2]

Fire Station Number Address Engine Company Truck Company Special Unit District Chief Unit
1 605 Worthington St (HQ)Engine 1Truck 1Tac 1(Haz-Mat Unit) , Rescue Boat
3 382 White StEngine 3Truck 3Med 3District Chief 2
5 15 Odessa St.Engine 5 (Quint)
8 33 Eastern AveEngine 8Truck 2Rescue 1
4 1212 Carew StEngine 4Truck 4Arson/Bomb Squad UnitDistrict Chief 1
7 2729 Main StEngine 7Rescue Boat
2 1265 Parker StEngine 2Brush 1
6 14 Massreco StEngine 6

Disbanded Fire Companies

Throughout the history of the Springfield Fire Department, several fire companies have been disbanded.

  • Engine 2 - 14 Massreco St.
  • Engine 4
  • Engine 6 - 25 Mill St.
  • Engine 7 - 605 Worthington St.
  • Engine 11
  • Engine 13 - 157 Pine St.
  • Engine 14 - 1045 Sumner Ave.
  • Engine 15 - 833 Page Blvd.
  • Ladder 5 - 15 Odessa St.
  • Ladder 10 - 2729 Main St.
  • Ladder 12 - 1265 Parker St.

References

  1. "Fiscal year 2014 Budget" (PDF). Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  2. "Firehouse Locations". Springfield Fire Department. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  3. "History". Springfield Fire Department. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.