Building A

Fire Department

From Buckets To Buildings

F

rom the days of bucket brigades to the present modern fire department, there have been townspeople in Newtown willing to volunteer to fight fires. Beginning in 1803 with one company, the department grew to five companies in the mid-20th century.

The residents and business people of Newtown can feel safer because of the training of those men and women who put their own lives on the line to save the lives, homes, and businesses of others. Townspeople have shown their support for the fire department through town meeting votes for new equipment, attendance at fundraising functions, and letters to the editor. A letter from V.G. Hard in January 1926 said of the volunteer firemen: “They put on their armor and take their lives in their own hands and go forth to preserve and rescue life and property.”

The need for protective measures against the menace of fire in Newtown was first discussed in the early 1800s. In 1803, the Newtown Hook and Ladder Company was founded, making it the oldest fire fighting company in Newtown.

 On December 19, 1803, a special town meeting was called by petition to determine what the town should do to protect itself against the ravages of fire. The townspeople voted to appropriate $100 to purchase a fire engine, but two months later the vote was rescinded, and Elijah Nichols was appointed chimney viewer instead.

For four years, from 1803 to 1807, there were debates, votes, and rescinded purchases for the town’s first fire engine.

In 1807, a serious fire on Main Street threatened to wipe out many of the dwellings. A group led by the Honorable William Edmond met on November 21 at the house of Caleb Baldwin to decide how to guard themselves in the future against destruction by fire. They raised $450 by private subscription for the purchase of a horse-drawn fire engine. However, it was learned that a good, effectual engine with a building to house it would cost $700.

The group petitioned the selectmen for an appropriation to help meet the cost of the fire engine. The petition stated that the residents were “seriously alarmed at a recent event which threatened for a time to lay their dwellings in ashes, to unhouse their families, and produce a scene of destruction and distress awful to contemplate and too painful to describe.” Because of this, the petition said, the citizens “met to take into consideration their exposed and dangerous situation.”

The unanimous opinion was that householders were required to see that “their chimneys were swept or cleaned by burning, and that they should provide themselves with ladders as expeditiously as possible.” However, a fire engine was considered to be “the best instrument properly served with which to contend against so unruly and dangerous an element and indeed the only one in which any just confidence of success might be placed in the hour of danger.”

A town meeting was called, and two hundred dollars from the treasury was voted to augment the $450 already collected. However, it was also noted that nothing in the vote could be construed to subject the town to any further funds toward the purchase of fire-fighting equipment.

Despite the concern, the town seems to have taken no further action on the matter except to appoint each year a chimney viewer, a post held for years by Mr Nichols at no pay.

However, fundraising benefits for the Fire Company became regular social events that were supported by townspeople.

When, early in its history, Newtown Hook and Ladder raised funds to buy a fire engine, each member of the company was expected to provide buckets and ladders.

Through the years, fire department volunteers have personally raised funds to build firehouses and additions and for purchase of equipment.

Hawleyville firefighters rebuilt their fire-destroyed headquarters in 1937 on a mortgage that carried the signatures of each member of the company. Many Botsford volunteers mortgaged their own homes to raise funds for their 1951 firehouse project. In Sandy Hook, equipment was often transported to the scene of a fire in the personal vehicles of volunteers.

Through the years, fire volunteers have supported their companies by holding bazaars, dinners, benefit movies, bingo, horse pulling contests, vaudeville shows, dances, fairs, carnivals, clambakes, minstrels, and parades.

The First Truck

On May 1, 1883, a committee recommended, and it was passed, that the sum of $600 be appropriated to provide the borough with its first hook and ladder truck. The price was to be $525 FOB by steamer to Bridgeport, $15 for freight to Newtown, and $60 for a shelter for the truck.

In the early 1900s, increased fire protection was considered a necessity because of the rising number of residents and visitors in Newtown.

Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Company was formed in 1911 followed by the Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company in 1925. Sandy Hook volunteers organized in 1937, and in 1949 the United Fire Company of Botsford became the town’s fifth volunteer group.

According to E.L. Johnson in his history of Newtown, published in 1917, Dodgingtown had a well-organized fire department of about 40 members. “Although they have no fire engine as yet, so well equipped otherwise and so systematic in drill that, when they take part in an out-of-town drill, the lookers-on sit up and take notice,” he wrote.

 Mr Johnson said the village of Newtown had a fire company of about 45 members but no fire engine. Despite that, he wrote, their appliances were up to date, and “they have done valiant work in many cases of fire.”

“Both are voluntary, independent companies, never aided by town appropriations,” he said.

Volunteers of all the fire companies donated their time and often risked their lives for the citizens of Newtown. Some of the fires they fought were spectacular, such as Dick’s Hotel in September 1897 and the Opera House fire in Sandy Hook in December 1897, in which the Opera House and an adjoining house and barn burned to the ground. In June 1920 the town’s high school was gutted by fire, and in July 1920 volunteers fought the Curtis Box fire.

A fire in February 1897 destroyed the Wilson and Keating furniture and undertaking business in Sandy Hook. The Newtown Bee reported that though Sandy Hook had no organized fire department, its volunteers battled royally and did all that could be done. A hose kept at the Niantic Mills was laid, and pumps were set to work as soon as possible. The story noted the value of the Pootatuck River in fighting the fire because water pumped from it helped keep the fire from spreading to adjoining buildings.

The fire at the Opera House made Sandy Hook residents realize they did not have sufficient fire hose to protect the village. A meeting was held and, as a result, more hose was ordered.

A story in The Bee following the blaze at Dick’s Hotel commented on the helplessness of the village without any decent water supply. The hotel and adjacent barns were destroyed in the fire.

On April 12, 1901, The Bee reported on a meeting at the Newtown Inn during which men from the borough and vicinity took final steps for the official organization of a fire company. Allison P. Smith presided, and a committee led by Chairman Frank Wright brought in a set of bylaws that were adopted. The organization was named the Newtown Fire Company. The following officers were named: foreman, L.C. Morris; first assistant foreman, John H. Blackman; assistant foreman, Henry M. Smith; third assistant foreman, Patrick Gannon; secretary, Oscar Pitzschler; assistant secretary, Frank Wright; treasurer, George F. Duncombe.

A committee to solicit funds for apparatus was appointed consisting of L.C. Morris, Allison P. Smith, Rev O.W. Barker, and Patrick Gannon. A paper passed among those present raised $50. The majority favored purchase of a chemical engine.

The story noted that the organization of the Fire Company was a step in the right direction and would enable property owners to get better insurance rates. It said the next step should be public water in the borough.

Buying Hose

On August 30, 1901, The Bee reported on an effort by the Newtown Fire Company to raise money to buy a hand fire pump, hose reel, and several hundred feet of hose from Fabric Fire Hose Company. Two hundred dollars had already been subscribed toward the goal of $300. The residents of The Street (Main Street) were urged to make up the amount necessary to take advantage of Fabric Fire Hose General Manager W.T. Cole’s offer. The pump, made by Rumsey Pump Company, was capable of throwing a one and a half-inch stream of water. In the end, the items cost a little over $200 because Mr Cole presented 400 feet of hose to the Fire Company and gave generous discounts on the pump and accessories.

The need for better fire equipment was obvious in February 1904 when a fire at the home of Michael Honan in Taunton was fought by two bucket brigades of neighbors. The Bee noted on February 19 that for an hour and a half the firefighters had a hard fight to save the house, which suffered little damage by the fire.

In April 1913 Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Company opened its new firehouse. Organized in March 1911, the company joined the State Firemen’s Association and started raising funds for the purchase of a chemical fire engine.

On September 12, 1919, The Newtown Bee reported that the Dodgingtown firemen had begun work on their new auto truck, which, when finished, would enable the firemen to be ready to respond to alarms in a short time.

In October 1919, a public fire drill was planned during a well-attended meeting of the Newtown Fire Company. Foreman P.H. Gannon presided, and Judge Oscar Pitzschler acted as secretary. It was decided that the bell of Trinity Church would be rung so the public would not be alarmed.

V.G. Hard, Jr, issued a call for men aged 21 to 50 to meet at his home on December 3, 1919, to consider organizing a volunteer fire department for Botsford and South Center.

On December 29, 1922, The Bee reported on a bucket brigade that saved the Troy building in Sandy Hook from an arson fire. Water was quickly passed from hand to hand to the burning building. Pails were secured in abundance from the stores of Corbett & Crowe and H.G. Warner and Company. Fire extinguishers were obtained from H.G. Warner, the residence of G.F. Taylor, and Fabric Fire Hose Company.

In January 1923, J.L. O’Neil, in the interest of fire protection, offered to Sandy Hook one 50 horsepower water wheel in perfect condition and one new Fairbanks-Morse Bulldog pump valued at $150. The equipment was to be located at Niantic Mill, to be used to protect property within 200 yards in four directions from Sandy Hook corner.

In May 1925, the residents of Hawleyville organized the Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company, consisting of 26 members. It was decided to obtain a chemical engine by July 4. Part of the Upham Food Products Garage was to be rebuilt for a firehouse. Mr Upham gave the company a large Reo truck, which was to be equipped with extension ladders, axes, two 20-gallon tanks, and electrically lighted lanterns. The members began a subscription drive to build a firehouse.

In July 1938, Sandy Hook residents were in the process of organizing a volunteer fire department. Hiram Hanlon was named temporary chief, Birdsey Parsons, first assistant chief, and Dr M.D. Corrigan, secretary. A barn at the rear of Dr Corrigan’s residence was being renovated as fire department headquarters. A barn dance was planned to raise funds for fire-fighting apparatus. In September they began canvassing the town to obtain funds for purchasing equipment. In April 1939 the Sandy Hook Fire Department was approved for incorporation.

In September 1939 the Hawleyville Fire Company installed a new Walters pumper on its fire truck that had a capacity of 300 gallons per minute.

A Fire Commission

On February 20, 1942, The Bee reported on the largest town meeting in recent years that approved 225-89 the appropriation of $6,000 for fire apparatus for the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Company.

A resolution at a special town meeting on September 8, 1942, stated that in accordance with the provisions of Section 510 of the General Statutes of Connecticut, “There is hereby established within and for the town of Newtown, a fire department to be known and designated as the Newtown Fire Department for the purpose of protecting life and property within the Town of Newtown from fire and other emergencies.”

The resolution, approved by a unanimous vote, outlined the method of operation of the Fire Department under the supervision of a Board of Fire Commissioners.

Training for the fire companies took place on a monthly basis, as in June 1946 when the four volunteer fire companies fought a simulated blaze at the farm of Harrie Wood in Dodgingtown district. Ten to 12 men from each company took part in the drill, and laid some 2,200 feet of hose. In charge of the drill was Chief Henry Wachsmuth of the Dodgingtown department. Chief Hiram Hanlon of the Sandy Hook company and Chief Fred Mayer of Newtown directed their men. Andrew Sedor, chief engineer, led the Hawleyville company.

In September 1949, The Bee reported that Walter L. Glover, Newtown fire marshal, had explained the basic point of firefighting at a meeting of the new United Fire Company of Botsford at The Pines Inn. Thirty-six members had signed as charter members as of that date. On February 10, 1950, ground was broken for a new firehouse on Route 25 in Botsford. Plans called for a two-story structure, 30 by 50 feet in size.

In June 1950, a joint meeting took place between the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, Town Development Committee, and representatives of the five volunteer fire companies to consider a reorganization of the department and Board of Fire Commissioners. The majority of those present seemed to favor the proposed changes, which included changing the number of members of the board from five to seven, a new method for selection of members, and more fully defined duties of the members. It also made provision for full membership of the United Fire Company of Botsford in the Newtown Fire Department.

 A town meeting on September 13 rejected the change in the department, 82-42. The Botsford department was admitted to full membership in June 1951, as reported in the June 15, 1951 Newtown Bee.

Soon after its inception, the United Fire Company of Botsford received a donation of a vintage Ahrens-Fox pumper in fine working order from Herb Belin of Lake Road. Mr Belin termed the vehicle, purchased from the Elmsford, N.Y., Fire Department, his “favorite toy.” For two years, Mr Belin had spent about 500 hours rebuilding it.

With its addition, the company had a total of three pumpers, one tanker, and one brush truck, with 1,000 gallons-per-minute pumping rate.

Throughout its long history, the Newtown Fire Department has consistently added new and more technical equipment and provided improved training for volunteers, who continue their dedicated service to the town.

(Some information for this story was found in Newtown Directions and Images published by the League of Women Voters and Johnson’s History of Newtown.)