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The Barnstable Fire District was the 4th independent fire
district to form within the Town of Barnstable. Enabling legislation was filed
and approved by the state in May 1927. Apparently however, no formal
organization of a fire department took place at that time. In April 1935,
the Blue Wheel Tavern, a large historic Inn in Barnstable burned to the ground
in a spectacular and devastating fire. Soon after the fire, the Barnstable
Fire Department was established in April 1935. Land donated by Alfred
Crocker, on Main Street in the center of the village became the site of
Barnstable's fire house which was built by local fire department members.
A Buick chassis was turned into a small fire engine including a tank, pump,
hose, and equipment. This truck was built locally as well. In
addition, a 1935 Mack 500 gpm pumper was ordered and soon in service as
Barnstable's Engine 1. The Mack remained in service until 1965. The
Mack never had a radio installed but did carry a large portable radio for a
number of years. It was retired and maintained and is still in running condition
today for parades. Ray Neil became Barnstable's first Fire Chief.
Kenneth Greene and Dada Holmes were assistant chiefs. In July 1999,
Barnstable Fire Department began staffing its station 24 hours a day with 3
personnel on duty supported by off duty and call personnel. In 2000
Barnstable FD began renovations and an addition to the fire station, making
additional living quarters, office space, and re-configured apparatus
bays.
Major Fires and Emergencies
1935 - April - Blue Wheel Tavern Fire destroys large historic Inn.
1982 - Oct 30 - The Church Thrift shop and hall, at Route 6A & Mill Way, was
heavily damaged by fire requiring several departments mutual aid.
1988 - Jan 6 - A 2 alarm fire caused heavy damage to a 300 year old home under
renovations at 3600 Main Street.
1991 - Feb 26 - A 46 year old man was rescued in a late night fire at 4007 Main
Street. The small wood frame dwelling was extensively damaged and the man badly
burned. He died days later from the burns he received.
1992 - June 26 - Barnstable and Hyannis firefighters used foam to extinguish a
fire at a local asphalt plant. Thick black smoke was visible for miles
during the 2 alarm fire.
1994 - Nov 18 - A Cessna 407 Island Airlines commuter aircraft crashed short of
the airport into power lines crossing a sandpit. The powerlines were
severed leaving 160,000 customers without power for several hours. The
pilot was killed in the 2200 hour crash.
Incident History
Year
Fire
EMS Total
1950
1960
1970
1975
1980
101
196 297
1985
1990
280
300 580
1992
284
332 616
1993
292
392 684
1994
187
561 748
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
970
2000
894
2001
928
2002
313
534
847* Changed to FY 2002 instead of calendar year
2003
879
2004 401
539
986
2005
1,025
2006
998
1975 Apparatus Roster
Engine 2 - 202 - 1972 Maxim F 1250/750 Pumper
Engine 5 - 205 - 1965 FWD Farrar 750/500 Pumper
Rescue 1 - 203 - 1965 Chevy Ambulance
Updated 01/06/07
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