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The following is taken from a Oct 1939 newspaper account of
the Bourne Fire Department:
The first fire apparatus in Bourne came as the result
of the "Progressive Society" in the various villages of the town. The Buzzards
Bay P.S. apparently purchased the first firefighting equipment in the early
1900's. A "Club house" was established at the Cohasset Hall on
Main Street, Buzzards Bay. In 1907, there was a combination hook &
ladder as well as a chemical engine (of some variety). By 1922, horse drawn apparatus was "obsolete" and an Ford/American LaFrance pumper and 2nd
chemical truck was purchased. Articles of "Incorporation" were
developed in Aug 1922 making Mr. Johnson the first Fire Chief. In March 1925, the first Board of Engineers meeting was held. At that time, 2
engines were bought for $1500. At this point there were engines in Buzzards Bay,
Monument Beach, and Sagamore. In 1931 the Cohasset Hall burned. In
1932 the Buzzards Bay Fire Station was built on its present site. In March
1932 the town of Bourne accepted MGL.ch.48, 42, 43 for governing fire
dept. In 1939 there were 6 fulltime and 73 call personnel with 10 trucks
in service. Buzzards bay had Eng 1, Eng 7, Hose 1, Ladder 1.
Monument Beach had Eng 2, Eng 3, and the Fire Patrol. Sagamore had Eng
4. Pocasset had Engine 5. In 1938 the first radios were
installed. The Fire Chief between 1932-1936 was Chief Taylor. Chief
Wallace served from 1936-1956. Deputy Chief Thomas J Philbrick served from
1932-1963.
In July 1991, Bourne Fire Department faced a major budgetary deficit and
12 of 36 fulltime fire fighters were laid off. This resulted in the
closing of two staffed fire houses and eliminated ambulance coverage south of the
Cape Cod Canal. Attempts to restore funding failed for several years until
1994 when sufficient personnel were hired to once again staff the Pocasset
Station.
Major Fires and Incidents
1981 - Dec 22 - One cadet was filled and others injured during a multiple alarm
fire aboard the 532 foot Massachusetts Maritime Academy ship "Bay
State." Mutual aid operated for several hours to contain the below
decks fire.
1988 - Sept - Two people were killed in an accident involving an 18 wheeler and
several vehicles at the north approach to the Bourne Bridge. Fires and
numerous injuries resulted.
1990 - Jan - Three were killed in a headon MVA at the southern approach to the
Sagamore Bridge.
1991 - April 1 - The China Bay Chinese restaurant was destroyed by a 4 alarm
fire at 0030 hrs.
The fire at the east end rotary in Buzzards Bay was spectacular and required
extensive mutual aid.
1993 - Aug 25 - The former Sagamore Lumber yard on Freighthouse Road, South
Sagamore, was destroyed in a 3 alarm fire at 0118 hrs. Six towns assisted
Bourne FD as they protected a 30,000 and (2) 18,000 gallon propane gas tanks
exposed to the fire.
1994 - Nov 27 - A huge 100 year old mansion at the end of Monument Neck Road in
Monument Beach was destroyed in a spectacular fire at 1531 hrs. Efforts were
hampered by water supply problems, access, and the size of the waterfront house.
1994 - Nov 28 - A mother and child were killed in a headon MVA on Bourne Scenic
Highway.
Incidents History
Year
Fire
EMS Total
1960
1970
1975
1980
589
1,037 1,626
1985
1990
710
1,218 1,928
1992
668
1,085 1,753
1993
760
1,253 2,013
1994
802
1,563 2,365
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2,939
2001
3,005
2002
933
2123 3,056
2003
3,330
2004
3,444
2005
3,567
2006
3,487
2007
3,579
2008
3,555
2009
3,696 |
