Springfield Fire Department

Springfield Fire Department
Operational area
Country  United States
State  Massachusetts
City Springfield
Agency overview[1]
Established January 17, 1794 (1794-01-17)
Annual calls 15,953 (2012)
Employees 225 (2012)
Annual budget $19,149,354 (2012)
Staffing Career
Commissioner Bernard J. Calvi
IAFF 648
Facilities and equipment[2]
Battalions 2
Stations 8
Engines 8
Trucks 4
Rescues 1
HAZMAT 1
Wildland 1
Website
Official website
IAFF website

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]

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]

Address Engine Ladder Special Command
1 605 Worthington StEngine 1Ladder 1[4]
3 382 White StEngine 3Ladder 3District Chief 2[5]
5 15 Odessa St.Engine 5 (Quint)[6]
8 33 Eastern AveEngine 8Ladder 8Rescue 1[7]
9 1212 Carew StEngine 9Ladder 9Haz-Mat. Unit 1, Arson/Bomb Squad UnitDistrict Chief 1[8]
10 2729 Main StEngine 10[9]
12 1265 Parker StEngine 12Brush 1[10]
16 14 Massreco StEngine 16[11]

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. 1 2 "Firehouse Locations". Springfield Fire Department. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "History". Springfield Fire Department. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  4. ↑ "Station 1". IAFF Local 648. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  5. ↑ "Station 3". IAFF Local 648. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  6. ↑ "Station 5". IAFF Local 648. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  7. ↑ "Station 8". IAFF Local 648. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  8. ↑ "Station 9". IAFF Local 648. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  9. ↑ "Station 10". IAFF Local 648. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  10. ↑ "Station 12". IAFF Local 648. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  11. ↑ "Station 16". IAFF Local 648. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
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