CapeCodFD.com
~ A LOOK BACK IN TIME ~
FALMOUTH FIRE DEPARTMENT
HISTORY
May 25, 2023
This feature looks back at some of the history and apparatus of Falmouth.
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Falmouth Engine 1
Falmouth got a new Maxim 750 gpm Pumper for Engine 1 in 1956.
It replaced the 1920 Ahrens Fox Engine 1.
Engine 1 served at Headquarters and eventually used its County radio
number Engine 32. It would eventually become one of the first of
Falmouth's lime yellow apparatus in the mid 1970s and finish
out as a spare engine.
Engine 1
The 1956 Maxim Engine 1 with a crew.
Robbins Laundry Fire 1956
A fire in November 1956 destroyed a Laundry business
not far from headquarters.
County Brush Breaker C-15
Falmouth got a new Barnstable County brush breaker in 1957.
It was a 1956 Ford built by Maxim with an 800 gallon tank.
It replaced the 1939 County No.1, also known on radio as C-15.
It served in North Falmouth until about 1973, when it ended
up going to work with the Eastham Fire Department for a few years.
Falmouth Boat
Falmouth used this aluminum "drag boat" in the 1950s.
Engine 4 / Engine 24
Falmouth put a 1961 Maxim S model 1000 gpm / 500 gallon Pumper
in service as Engine 4 (Engine 24) in service at West Falmouth.
Engine 4 / Engine 24
Falmouth Engine 4 operating at a large fire in Woods Hole in July
1986.
Before large diameter hose, lots of 2-1/2" and 3" hose was used for
supply lines.
Opening the engine box helped cool the motor when working hard.
Engine 2 / Engine 22
Another Maxim S model went in service in 1962 as Engine 2 in Woods
Hole.
It was also a 1000 gpm / 500 gallon Pumper.
This replaced the 1927 Ahrens Fox Engine 2 which was then held in
reserve.
Engine 5 / Engine 25
This 1963 Maxim S model 1000 gpm / 1000 gallon went in service as
Engine 5.
It replaced the 1938 Maxim Engine 5.
Engine 5 / Engine 25
The 1963 Maxim Engine 5 had an enclosed cab. It moved over to the
new
East Falmouth Station in 1980.
Tank 1 / Tanker 35
Falmouth replaced the 1935 Ford Tank 1 in 1965 with an International
/ Maxim
350 gpm / 1000 gallon tanker. It would later be reassigned as Tanker 18.
It served over 40 years and retired in April 2007.
Ladder 1 / Ladder 26
Falmouth got this American LaFrance 900 Series cab forward 100'
Aerial Ladder
in service in 1969. It was one of the first Falmouth apparatus to have a
powerful diesel
motor and automatic transmission.
Ladder 1 / Ladder 26
The 1969 American LaFrance replaced the 1949 Maxim 65' Ladder 1.
Ladder 1 / Ladder 26
The American LaFrance sets up to ventilate.
Ladder 1 / Ladder 26
The ladder pipe goes up on July 4, 1976 at Falmouth Lumber Yard fire
in Teaticket.
Ladder 1 & Engine 1
Falmouth Headquarters in 1976 with the 1956 Maxim Engine 1 (Engine
32) and
the 1969 American LaFrance Ladder 1 (Ladder 26).
Rescue 39
Typical ambulances at the Falmouth Hospital in the early 1970s.
The Falmouth ambulance, on the right, was about a 1972 Cadillac.
It was called Rescue 39.
Rescue 39
A patient carried out of the back of Rescue 39 at Falmouth Hospital.
Barnstable County Breaker C-15
The third generation Barnstable County Brush Breaker No 1 was
built on a 1971 International chassis. The truck was built in Canada
by Thibault and went in service in 1973. It had a 300 gpm pump
and 1000 gallons.
Falmouth Breaker 15
The Barnstable County Forest Fire Service went out of business
around 1982.
Falmouth Fire Department took over ownership of the big breaker
which continued to serve in North Falmouth until about 1998 when
an ambulance was assigned to North Falmouth.
The breaker operated out of East Falmouth Station 5 until retiring in
2014,
after nearly 41 years of service.
Woods Hole Station 2
Falmouth built a new Woods Hole Fire Station 2 at 419 Woods Hole
Road
that opened in 1976. At the time is housed the 1962 Maxim Engine 2
and the former 1927 Ahrens Fox Engine 2, as well as the 1938 Maxim
city service Ladder 2 (Ladder 27) that was still in service.
Breaker 20
This 1976 Dodge Power Wagon / Continental brush breaker served as
Breaker 20.
It carried about 300 gallons.
It would be renumbered as Breaker 17 in the 1980s.
KCD 244
The Falmouth dispatch console at Headquarters during the 1970s and
80s.
Rescue 39 and Rescue 37
A June 1978 photo of the Falmouth FD Rescue Squad.
The 1972 Cadillac Rescue 39, and the new 1977 Rescue 37.
Soon after this photo (Same night), Rescue 37 was involved in a
major MVA at Route 28 & Maravista Ave while responding to a call
and did not return to service.
Note the old station in the background.
Lime Yellow
This June 1978 photo shows the lime green Engine 32 with Ladder 26
at Falmouth HQ.
The Engine had been involved in an MVA in the mid 1970s and as
part of its repairs
it became one of the first Falmouth apparatus to get the new "safe" lime
yellow color paint
job that became popular at that time.
Engine 32
Engine 32 became the spare engine at the new Station 5 when opened
in 1980.
Engine 21
This 1979 Maxim F model Pumper was the first Falmouth cab forward
Engine.
The lime yellow Engine 21 had a 1250 gpm pump and 500
gallon tank.
It served as Engine 21 at headquarters from 1979 until about 1989,
when it was reassigned to Station 2 as Engine 22.
Engine 22
The 1979 Maxim F model Pumper served as Engine 22 from 1989 until
about
1996 when it was retired.
East Falmouth Station 5
Falmouth built another new fire station in 1980 at 505 East Falmouth
Highway
in East Falmouth. It included a large repair shop.
Truck 30
Falmouth put a new brush breaker in service around 1980.
The Ford F800 was built by Farrar with a 250 gpm pump and 750 gallon
tank.
Like other apparatus at the time, it came painted lime yellow.
It was assigned to East Falmouth Station 5.
Breaker 16
The 1980 Ford breaker was reassigned as Breaker 16 around 1982.
Breaker 16
The 1980 Ford breaker was refurbished in 2008.
By that time the lime green "fad" had come to a close and the truck was
painted red.
It would go on to serve (with a few issues) until disposed of in 2017.
Engine 23
Another lime yellow engine was purchased in 1981 for North Falmouth.
The Hendrickson / Continental was a 1250 gpm / 1000 gallon Pumper.
It replaced the 1953 Diamond T.
Engine 23
The 1981 Hendrickson covering the Pocasset Station in Bourne.
Dec 1988.
Engine 32
The 1981 Hendrickson became spare Engine 32 around 1991
and was assigned to Station 1 in the bay formerly occupied by
the Ladder truck. One night in June 1995, an electrical fire caught
the engine on fire in the station. Fortunately, the crew on duty was
able to escape and save the station. It was the end of this truck
however.
Headquarters
The Headquarters Station apparatus floor was limited in size.
As more and newer apparatus, particularly rescue equipment, was
purchased,
additional room was needed.
Headquarters Annex
The Headquarters Annex was built in the mid 1980s where the old
station
once stood. The ambulances and a rescue truck ran out of here until
the Headquarters was renovated in 2002.
Rescue 36
Falmouth added a Heavy Rescue Truck 36 in 1987.
The Ford C8000 was built by EVF and carried the Jaws, Airbags,
a cascade system, and more. It was reassigned as Rescue 35 in 1997,
and as Rescue 31 around 2009. It retired in 2021
Engine 21
Falmouth bought 2 new engines in 1987.
This 1987 Ford F8000 / Emergency One 1250 gpm / 500 gallon pumper
served as Engine 21 at Headquarters, replacing the 1979 Maxim F Series
which was then sent to Station 2.
Engine 25
The other new 1987 engine went to East Falmouth Engine 25.
This 1987 Ford F8000 / Emergency One 1250 gpm / 500 gallon pumper
served as Engine 25 at Station 5 for 2 years and was then reassigned
to Engine 23 in North Falmouth in 1989.
Engine 24
The 1987 Ford / E-One Engine 21 was reassigned to Engine 24
in West Falmouth in 1989, replacing the 1961 Maxim S model.
Engine 23
The 1987 Ford / E-One Engine 25 was reassigned to Engine 23
in North Falmouth in 1989. It replaced the 1981 Hendrickson which
then went to Headquarters serving as the spare Engine 32.
Rescue 38
A 1988 Ford E350 / Excellence Ambulance served as Rescue 38 from
1989
until 2003. It was assigned to Station 5, then Station 3 in 1997 until
2003.
Rescue 39
A 1989 (1988) Ford / EVF Ambulance started at Station 1
and ultimately served at Station 2 from 2001 to 2003.
Engine 21
This 1989 Ford F8000 / Emergency One 1250 gpm / 500 gallon pumper
was assigned to Engine 21. It served as Engine 21 until about 1995.
It then went on to become the spare Engine 20.
Engine 25
This 1989 Ford F8000 / Emergency One 1250 gpm / 500 gallon pumper
served as Engine 25 at Station 5. It replaced the 1987 F8000 that was
reassigned
to Engine 23.
Ladder 26
In 1991, Falmouth took delivery of a new Emergency One 110' rear
mount
Aerial Ladder Truck. This was the 3rd Falmouth Aerial Ladder (1949,
1969, 1991)
The truck was too tall to be housed at Headquarters so it
was assigned to the
Woods Hole Station 2 from 1991 until about 2003 when Headquarters was
renovated.
Truck 19
A 1991 Ford F600 / 35' Liftall served the Fire Alarm Division
until about 2020.
Rescue 37
A 1991 Ford E350 / Excellence Ambulance started out at Station 1.
It would served at several other stations before retiring in 2007.
Engine 21
This 1995 International 4 door / E-One 1250/750 Pumper went in
service
in 1996 as Engine 21 at Headquarters.
It replaced the 1989 Ford Engine 21 which then became Spare Engine 20 in
1996.
Engine 20
This 1989 Ford F8000 / Emergency One 1250 gpm / 500 gallon pumper
started out as Engine 21. In 1996 it became spare Engine 20
until retiring around 2009.
Engine 22
This 1996 Emergency One 1250/750/50 Foam Pumper was equipped with a
roof mounted foam nozzle and could pump and roll. It started out as
Engine 22
in Woods Hole. In 1998, it was reassigned to Engine 21 at Headquarters.
Engine 21
The 1996 Emergency One 1250/750/50 Foam Pumper was reassigned to
Engine 21 at Station 1 around 1998.
It would find its way back to Station 2 as Engine 22 again around 2012.
It was retired around 2017.
Engine 25
Around 1998, when the Foam Pumper was reassigned from E22 to Engine
21,
the 1995 International / E-One 1250/750 Pumper was assigned to Engine 25
in East Falmouth.
Engine 22
The 1989 Ford that had served as Engine 25 from 1989 until 1996,
was then assigned to Station 2 in Woods Hole as Engine 22 around 1998.
It was eventually replaced in 2009 by a Pierce Arrow.
It then went on to serve as spare Engine 20.
Rescue 36
A 1998 Freightliner / ALF Medic Master Ambulance at Station 1.
Car 31
A 2002 Ford LTD served as the Fire Chief Car 31.
In 2009, it was renumbered as Chief Car 11.
Falmouth Headquarters
After years of trying to get a new Headquarters, the old station was
completely
renovated and added onto in 2003.
Falmouth Dispatch
A new dispatch room was included in the newly renovated station.
Rescue 38
A 2003 Freightliner / ALF Medic Master Ambulance at Station 5.
It replaced the 1988 Ford / Excellence Ambulance.
Rescue 38
The 2003 Freightliner / ALF Medic Master Ambulance went to Station 2
in 2007.
It was repainted red in 2011, became a spare in 2015, and retired in
2020.
Rescue 39
The 2003 Freightliner / ALF Medic Master Ambulance became Ambulance
39 at Station 1.
Rescue 37
A 2007 Freightliner / ALF Medic Master Ambulance.
Replaced 1991 ambulance.
Retired in 2020.
Engine 20
The 1995 International / Emergency One 1250 gpm / 500 gallon pumper
first served as Engine 21 and then as Engine 25, became spare Engine 20
in 2016.
It replaced the 1989 Ford that had served as Engine 20 since about 2009.
Ambulance 35
2009 International / LifeLine Type I Ambulance.
Initially assigned to North Falmouth Station 3.
Engine 22
Falmouth got 2 new Engines in 2009.
Falmouth put this 2009 Pierce Arrow XT 4 door cab forward
1500 gpm / 720 gallon / 30 foam Pumper in service as Engine 22 in Woods
Hole.
It replaced an 1989 Ford Engine 22 that was then reassigned to Engine
20.
This engine would be reassigned to Engine 21 in July
2012.
At that time the 1996 E-One Foam Engine 21 was reassigned to Engine 22.
When the 1996 Engine retired in 2017, the 2009 Arrow once again became
E22.
Engine 23
The second 2009 Pierce Arrow XT 4 door cab forward
1500 gpm / 720 gallon / 30 foam Pumper went in service as Engine 23
in North Falmouth where it continues to serve.
It replaced an 1989 Ford Engine 23 that was then retired.
Breaker 18
Falmouth bought a new 2010 International / V-Tech Brush Breaker
in service as Breaker 18 in East Falmouth.
250 gpm - 750 gallons.
Currently the only brush breaker in Falmouth since the retirements
of Breaker 15 in 2014, Breaker 16 in 2017, and Breaker 17 in 2015.
Ambulance 36
2015 International / LifeLine Type I Ambulance.
Initially assigned Station 5 East Falmouth.
Engine 25
Falmouth got another Pierce Arrow XT in 2016.
It is essentially the same as the 2009 Pierces
with 1500 gpm, 720 gallon, 30 foam.
It was assigned to Engine 25 in East Falmouth.
It replaced the 1995 International which then became Spare E20.
Engine 24
In 2016, Falmouth bought a used 1992 Sutphen 1500/500 Pumper
from a Long Island Department. It was able to fit into the West Falmouth
Station and became Engine 24 until it was retired in 2019.
Engine 24
When the Sutphen was taken out of service in 2019,
the 1995 International Spare E20, being one of the only engines
that could fit in Station 4, was reassigned as Engine 24
in West Falmouth
Engine 21
Falmouth put the fourth Pierce Arrow XT in service in 2018.
It was also a 1500, 720, 30 Pumper.
The new Engine is assigned to Engine 21.
Ambulance 37
Falmouth 2019 Ford F550 / Lifeline Type I Ambulance.
Assigned to Station 5.
Ambulance 38
Falmouth 2019 Ford F550 / Lifeline Type I Ambulance.
Assigned to Station 3.
Ambulance 39
Falmouth 2019 Ford F550 / Lifeline Type I Ambulance.
Assigned to Station 1.
Ladder 26
Falmouth bought this 2021 Pierce Arrow XT with a 107' Ascendant
Aerial Ladder
to replace the 1991 Emergency One Ladder 26.
By design, this truck was also designed to carry heavy rescue equipment
allowing the 1987 Ford Heavy Rescue to be retired.
Engine 10
Falmouth bought this 2011 Pierce Contender Pumper from Volusia
County, FL
in 2022 to be used as a spare that could also fit into Station 4 if
necessary.
1250 gpm and 500 gallons.
NEW HATCHVILLE STATION
Falmouth began construction on a new fire station for the Hatchville area
of town in 2023.
NOTE
Thank you to the Falmouth Fire Department for sharing some
of these previously unseen photos (many as slides) included in this
feature. Original photographers are unknown with many images.
The information accuracy and history line can not be guaranteed
but is hopefully a fair representation of some of the
apparatus and history of the Falmouth FD.
Enjoy.
~ A LOOK BACK IN TIME ~
FALMOUTH FIRE DEPARTMENT
HISTORY
CapeCodFD.com
2023