History

Squad 1

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 11:32:04 -0500

Squad 1 entered service in the early 1990s, operating a 1977 Dodge Power Wagon. The retired US Army 3/4 ton pickup served well in a support role and was also able to carry Forestry 1’s firefighting package while the older Power Wagon was out of service for refurbishment.

Squad 1 v1.0 was retired and returned to the US government around 1999.

Squad 1 has returned to the RFD roster in 2009 with the purchase of a 2010 Ford F250.

Engine 7

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 16:44:55 -0400

Engine 7 of the Rowley Auxiliary Fire Department was founded in the late 1960’s using this 1947 Chevrolet/Howe 500 gpm pumper.

7’s Howe previously served as Engine 1 in Newbury, MA. It was owned by the Town of Rowley and operated by the RAFD, which was a town organization. The RAFD would eventually become Rowley Civil Defense, and is today known as Rowley Emergency Management.

The Howe served as Engine 7 until 1980, when it was sold to a local private school for use by their maintenance department and replaced by Engine 1’s 1955 Ford/Woods.

The 1955 would in turn serve until 1989, when it was sold to a collector and Engine 7 was disbanded.

Today Rowley Emergency Management (REMA) operates a portable lighting trailer but does not run any motorized apparatus.

Photo courtesy of Don Simonini.

Oral History, Part 1

Sun, 28 May 2006 14:55:36 -0400

This installment is compiled from the transcript of an interview with 1st Assistant Chief (retired) G. Robert Merry, conducted by Chief Broderick in March 2000.

The beginnings of the Rowley Fire Department were in 1927 when the Moody, Richardson & Heald factory, which was located on Hammond Street not far from the present fire station, burnt down.

Prior to the formation of the fire department, Fire Wards provided fire protection; each ward had a Warden who was responsible for keeping pre-positioned ladders and buckets in a state of readiness. In the event of a fire everyone went to the pre-positioned equipment and brought it to the fire. The town’s sprayer was also used to fight fires. In the event of a large fire, the fire departments in Ipswich and Newburyport were called to assist.

Newl Short was instrumental in getting the Fire Association started. He solicited the help of state senator Cornelius Haley who showed them the process of incorporation.

We do not know why the town did not organize a fire department prior to 1927. There had been several large fires in businesses prior to that time, including one at the Mather Boat Company on Central Street in 1906.

To raise money to purchase equipment, the Association hosted minstrel shows, dances, and chowder dinners. In 1928 they purchased a Seagrave Suburbanite pumper. The truck did not have a windshield or cab to protect the driver and officer; a fur coat was kept in the cab and worn backwards by the driver in inclement weather. Later a windshield was installed.

The small ‘L’ at MacDonald’s Garage (current location of Eric’s Auto Clinic) on Central Street was the location of the original fire station.

The original fire alarm system comprised a series of 49 alarm boxes. Each box location was at the end of a street or a major intersection. Each house was given a card with a box number assigned to it. If there was a fire the homeowner would call the telephone operator and say, “Fire, pull box number ___.” The caller was then instructed to stand outside to meet the trucks and direct them to the fire.

Once the call was made the telephone operator went to the fire alarm panel and placed the appropriate numbered wheel onto the telegraph. When the operator activated the alarm, a series of blasts went over the town’s fire horn. A similar system remains today with control points inside the fire and police stations.

The department moved to its current headquarters on Hammond Street in the 1930s. The existing building was moved from Bailey’s Corner at Main and Central Streets. The building was previously used as a pool hall. Horses and turnstiles were used to move the building to its current location. Danny Nevens owned the land on which the building now sits.

The station originally had two bays which housed the 1928 Seagrave and a Model T designated Hose 2. The model T was donated to the department; it was originally the ‘Bush Meat Wagon.”

In 1936 the department purchased its second pumper, a 1936 Dodge/Maxim.

During the 1940’s a 3rd bay and hose tower were added to the building. The department also purchased its first ladder truck, a 1930 Sanford, from Ipswich FD for $1.00.

To be continued. . .

Headquarters

Sun, 23 Apr 2006 08:58:53 -0400

Sometime between 1934 and 1936, our first station was dedicated. The building was converted from a former barber shop and pool hall, and housed the '28 Seagrave, a Model T hose wagon, and our 1881 Douglass hand tub.

We still use this station today, but it has been expanded to 6 bays.

Ladder 1

Sun, 9 Apr 2006 20:48:21 -0400

Ladder 1 was organized in 1949, operating a 1930 Sanford ‘city service’ truck formerly from Ipswich, MA. This truck had no aerial device but carried a large assortment of portable ladders. Photo above courtesy of Don Simonini.

In 1973, Ladder 1 took delivery of a 1949 Seagrave 65-foot aerial ladder. This classic had a V-12 engine, semi-cab, and no power steering.

1984 brought a newer, larger ladder. The 1965 American LaFrance, shown at the left, originally served in Port Jefferson, Long Island, NY. It was the first RFD apparatus to feature a 100-foot ladder, 5-man canopy cab, or air brakes.

Ladder 1’s third apparatus was delivered in 1990. It was a 1967 American LaFrance 100 -foot ladder. The ’67 featured a Detroit diesel and more compartments. It was retired from service in 2005 after failing its Underwriters Laboratories safety inspection.

Engine 3

Sun, 9 Apr 2006 20:03:07 -0400

Engine 3 is the third RFD engine company organized. It entered service in 1964 with a 1963 International//Howe 750 GPM pumper with 500 gallons of water.

Engine 3 was purchased for $17,000 in Green Stamps trading stamps!

Upon retiring in Rowley, the ’63 was sold to the East Burke, VT, VFD where it continued to serve in front-line service.

In 1993, Engine 3 received its second apparatus, a 1981 Mack CF 1250/750 pictured above. This rig originally served with the East Dover Fire Company of Toms River, NJ and was painted lime.

The Mack served until 2002, when it was replaced with the current E-One. Engine 3’s Mack was then sold to Byfield, MA where it ran as Engine 1 until May of 2007.

Engine 2

Sun, 9 Apr 2006 19:34:36 -0400

Engine 2 is RFD’s second motorized company. Engine 2’s first apparatus was this 1936 Dodge/Maxim 250 GPM pumper/hose wagon. The Dodge served in front line service until 1963, and in reserve until 1974!

In 1974, Engine 2 took delivery of an International//Worcester 450 GPM mini pumper, pictured above. The mini ran first-due to all incidents until 1980. With the delivery of Engine 1’s 1979 Ford, the IH was downgraded to specialty status. It continued to run primarily brush calls until 1987.

In 1987, Engine 2’s 1974 International was converted to Forestry 2. Department members removed the heavy mini-pumper body and replaced it with an aluminum utility body by Reading. The pump was retained inside the body, and a plastic 300 gallon tank was fitted. Forestry 2 ran in its new, slimmer incarnation until 2004.

Meanwhile, Engine 2’s 1936 Dodge returned to the fleet in 1984. The ’36 now functions as the RFD’s ceremonial unit, being used for parades, funerals, and other public functions.

Engine 1

Tue, 4 Apr 2006 09:46:15 -0400

Engine 1 is currently expecting delivery of its sixth rig since its inception in 1928

Engine 1’s first apparatus was a 1928 Seagrave Suburbanite pumper. It was purchased new and served until 1955. It is currently in the hands of a collector, although we have lost track of its location. (If you know where Engine 1 is, please email the webmaster. It may be currently lettered for Lynnfield.)

In 1955, Engine 1 took delivery of a Ford Big Job/Wood Engineering 600 gpm pumper. Wood Engineering was a local builder in Topsfield, MA. The ’55 Ford served Engine 1 until 1980, when it was sold to the Civil Defense and re-designated Engine 7. The ’55 continued to serve as Engine 7 until 1989 when Engine 7 was disbanded. It was disposed of to a collector.

The third Engine 1, seen here and above, was a 1979 Ford F800/Edward G. Moody & Sons. It carried a 1000 GPM pump and 500 gallons of water. This one served until 2000. At that time it was badly in need of a pump rebuild and the department decided not to pour money into a gasoline-powered, manual-transmissioned, two-man cabbed apparatus. Engine 1 v3.0 was sold and replaced with a used rig of more modern design.

Engine 1’s fourth rig was purchased used in 2000. It was a 1985 Ford C8000/E-One 1000/500 which formerly served in Sudbury, MA. v4.0 was admired for its small size and ability to carry a full crew almost anywhere. It was condemned and removed from service in 2005 with dangerous amounts of rust on the frame.

Engine 1’s fifth apparatus was a 1984 Hahn HCP-12 on loan from the Georgetown FD for almost two years. It was retired in June 2007 due to ongoing maintenance issues.

Engine 1’s current E-One Typhoon entered service in July 2009. It carries the dedication ‘Charter Hose Co. #1’ in memory of the founding members of the RVFPA.