* Fire
Department Organization
* Fire Chiefs
* Fire Station History
* Fire Apparatus History
* Major Fires & Incidents
History
* Run Stats History
FIRE DEPARTMENT
ORGANIZATION
Before a Fire Department
The Falmouth Fire Department history dates back to
the late 1800's.
Town Meeting had appointed Fire Wards or Wardens in villages for years to
organize men primarily to fight forest fires.
Prior to 1897, people within the villages of Falmouth
banded together and brought buckets, brooms, and other tools to the call of
fire. Efforts were often disorganized and ultimately fairly ineffective. In many
cases, fires easily destroying structures and property.
Fire Department Organized 1897
In 1897, the
Town Meeting of Falmouth allocated about $700 for a "minimal fire department."
The town purchased a hand drawn soda & acid chemical unit and a hand drawn
ladder wagon.
Hoses and badges were also purchased. About 4 extinguishers and a supply
of soda and acid was also acquired. A building was built on Main Street to house
them in 1897. Five members served as a Board of Engineers to organize the fire
department.
By 1899, there were (5) No.3 (6'-7') hand drawn hose reels in service with
250'-500' of unlined hose on each reel. There was up to 5,000' of 2.5" hose
total.
Hose reels were initially housed in five rented sheds:
1 at Falmouth center at the Lewis Village Stable,
2 at the old Primary School on Palmer Ave next to Swift's Grain Store,
3 at Quissett,
4 at West Falmouth
5 at Woods Hole.
In 1902, the Town did significant development and expansion of a water department occurred,
with hydrants in Falmouth Center and Woods Hole.
By 1905, the fire department consisted of 95 call men under Chief Wilfred E
Godfrey. A bell installed on Town Hall alerted firemen and first Gamewell alarm
boxes were installed on Main Street, Locust St, and Gifford St. Woods Hole would
soon follow.
Original Fire Department
A
volunteers chief commanded the department. Companies organized in town
included:
Hose
No.1 Teaticket
(1897) Area of current Mall & Stop Shop
Hose
No.2 East Village (1897)
Area of current HQ
H&L Co.2 East Village
(1897) Area of current HQ
Hose
No.3 West
Village (1897) Area of village green
Hose
No.4 Quissett
(1902) Area of lights between town and Woods Hole
H&L No.4 Quissett
(1909) Area of lights between town and Woods Hole
Hose
No.5 Woods Hole (1899) On
Water St (then Main)
Hose
No.6 West Falmouth (1904)
Hose
No.7 Falmouth Heights (1905)
Hose
No.8 East Falmouth (1906)
Hose
No.9 North Falmouth (1912)
Hose No.10 Waquoit
(1913)
Chem No.1 Main st
(1913)
The hand drawn hose reels
were limited in response due to the large areas that were involved. In
1918, a New England Insurance Exchange study of Falmouth's fire and water
departments recommended several improvements including hiring a fulltime fire
chief, full-time firefighters, motorized fire apparatus, and other improvements.
By 1915, the department included 131 men, with 10
companies include 9 hose, 1 chemical pumping engine, a hook & ladder, and 64
extinguishers.
Reorganization 1919
In 1919, Ray D. Wells was hired as the first fulltime fire chief, serving for 36 years
as chief until 1955. The department was reorganized, companies consolidated or
eliminated, and fire stations built in the villages. Hand drawn apparatus was
retired and the department was motorized in the early 1920s.. The Falmouth Headquarters was built on Main Street in 1929. A telegraph
type fire alarm system was installed with call boxes distributed around town
providing a "modern" alarm system.
Early motorized apparatus included:
1919 - A small Ford Chemical Engine
1920 - A 750 gpm Ahrens Fox with chemical tank Engine 1
1920 - A motorized Hose Truck
1920 - A reconditioned Maxim Hose & Chemical Hose 5 in Woods Hole
1920 - The 1897 H&L moved to Woods Hole
1922 - A Ford Truck for North Falmouth
1922 - A Reo/Maxim city service ladder truck at HQ Ladder 1
1927 - Maxim Pumper for North Falmouth Engine 3
1927 - Ahrens Fox 1000 gpm Pumper Woods Hole Engine 2
1930 - Maxim Pumper Engine 5
1931 - Ahrens Fox city service Ladder Truck Ladder 1
1935 - Ford 800 gallon Tanker
1938 - Maxim city service Ladder Truck Woods Hole Ladder 2
1938 - Maxim 500/1000 Pumper Engine 5
Rescue Squad 1928
In 1928, Falmouth FD
developed a "rescue squad" with a station wagon staffed by 1 fireman
and some first aid equipment. Patients could not be transported until a
doctor came to the scene. They were then transported to Wareham's Tobey
Hospital, a trip of over 30 minutes. Falmouth got its own hospital in
1962, greatly improving care for Falmouth residents. EMT training began in
1973 with the founding of the Cape's EMS system and a grant by Johnson and
Johnson Foundation. Paramedics and modern rescue equipment followed.
FIRE CHIEFS
2020-Present
- Timothy Smith (Actg Aug 2020 - Full Dec 9, 2020)
2016-2020
- Michael Small (June 2016 - July 2020)
2016-2016
- Michael Small (acting 01/2015 - /06/2016)
2011-2016
- Mark Sullivan (Sept 2011)
2010-2011
- Mark Sullivan (acting 10/2010 - 09/2011)
1997-2010
- Paul D Brodeur (Fire Chief)
1987-1996
- George W Packish (Fire Chief
1986-1987
- Charles A Clarkin (Actg Chief)
1977-1986
- James F Rogers (Fire Chief)
1955-1977
- Leighton F "Pat" Peck (Fire Chief)
1946-1955
- Ray D Wells
(Fulltime Chief)
1942-1946
- William Denham (Actg while Chief Wells in
WWII)
1919-1942
- Ray D Wells
(First Fulltime Chief)
1916-1919
- Harry V Lawrence (Chief Engineer)
1910-1915
- George W Jones (Chief Engineer
1906-1910
- James M Watson (Chief EngineerO
1905-1906
- Wilfred E Godfrey (Chief Engineer)
1898-1905
- George E Dean
(Chief Engineer of Dept)
1897-1898
- Board of Engineers
Deputy Chiefs
2020-Present
- Chad Absten (Actg Aug 2020 - Full Dec 9, 2020)
2016-Present
- Scott Thrasher (actg 02/2016 / full 06/2016
2012-2020
- Tim Smith (Actg 11/2012 / full
04/2014)
2010-2011
- Mike Small
(Deputy)
-2012 - Glen Rogers
(Deputy)
2000
- Mark Sullivan (Deputy)
1990s
- Paul D Brodeur (Deputy)
1985-1987
- George W Packish (Deputy)
1980s
- Charles A Clarkin (Deputy)
1970s
- Russell E Robbins (Deputy)
1970s
- Clifford B Amaral (Deputy)
1956-1977
- James F Rogers (Deputy)
FIRE STATIONS
HISTORY
1915 - Station 3 - North Falmouth Station, 212 Old Main St
1920 - Station 2 - New Woods Hole Station, 72 Water St
1929 - Station 1 - New HQ Station, 399 Main Street
1930 - Station 4 - New West Falmouth Station, 555 West Falmouth Highway
1930 - Station 5 - New East Falmouth Station
1950 - Station 3 - New North Falmouth Station, 204 Old Main St
1976 - Station 2 - New Woods Hole Station, 419 Woods Hole Road
1980 - Station 5 - New East Falmouth Station & Shops, 505 E Fal Highway
2002 - Station 1 - Major renovation to HQ at 399 Main St
FIRE APPARATUS HISTORY
1995 Apparatus Roster
Station 1 - Falmouth
20 Truck
20 - 1976 Dodge /
Continental 250/300 Brush Breaker (red)
21
Engine 21 - 1989 Ford C / E-One 1250/500
Pumper (red/white)
27 Truck
27 - 1988 Ford Pickup Fire
Prevention
28 Truck
28 - 1988 Ford Pickup Duty
Officer
31 Car
31 -
1995
Ford LTD Fire Chief George Packish (maroon)
31A Car 31A
- Deputy Charles Clarkin
31B Car 31B
- Deputy Paul Broduer
31C Car 31C
- 1989 Ford LTD Deputy Duty Car (red/white) was 31
32
Engine 32 - 1981 Hendrickson /
Continental 1250/1000 Pumper (lime)
33 Truck
33 - 1987 Ford F150 4x4
Pickup - EMS Officer
34 Truck
34 - 1991 Ford Fire Alarm
Bucket Truck (red/white)
36
Rescue 36 - 1987 Ford CO / EVF Heavy
Rescue (Jaws) (white/orange)
37
Rescue 37 - 1992 Ford E350 Excellence
Type III Ambulance (EMS 312)
39
Rescue 39 - 1988 Ford E350/Excellence
Type III Ambulance (EMS 313)
Boat Boat
- 17 foot Boston Whaler
Ice
- Ice Sled
Haz
- 8' Haz Mat Trailer
Foam
- Foam trailer - 18 5 gallon
cans
Med 1
- Medic Gary Sabens
Med 2
- Medic Alden Cook
Med 3
- Medic Mark Albert
Med 5
- Medic Tim Smith
Med 6
- Medic Joe Farland
Med 7
- Lt/Medic Glen Rogers
Med 8
- Medic Mike Small
Station 2 - Woods Hole
22
Engine 22 - 1979 Maxim F 1250/500 Pumper
(lime)
26
Ladder 26 - 1991 E-One 110' rm Aerial
Ladder (red/white)
E2 Eng 2
- 1927 Ahrens Fox 1000 gpm Antique (red)
Station 3 - North Falmouth
15
Breaker 15 - 1971 International / Thibault 350/1000 Brush Breaker (red)
23
Engine 23 - 1987 Ford C / E-One
1250/500 Pumper (red/white)
Station 4 - West Falmouth
24
Engine 24 - 1987 Ford C /
E-One 1250/500 Pumper
Station 5 - East Falmouth
16 Car
16
- 1979 International Canteen Truck Falmouth CD
17 Truck
17 -
1981 ('94) Chevy Step Van Dive Truck
25
Engine 25 - 1989 Ford C /
E-One 1250/500 Pumper
29 Truck
29 - 1988 Ford Pickup
Mechanic
30
Breaker 30 - 1982 Ford / Farrar 300/700
Brush Breaker (lime)
35 Tank
35
- 1965
International / Maxim 250/1000 Tanker
38
Rescue 38 - 1989 Ford /
Excellence Type III Ambulance (EMS 314)
L2
Ladder 2 -
1938 Maxim City Service Ladder Truck (old Ladder 2)
--------------------------------------------------
1992 Apparatus Roster
Station 1 - Falmouth
20 Truck
20 - 1976 Dodge /
Continental 250/300 Brush Breaker (red)
21
Engine 21 - 1989 Ford C / E-One 1250/500
Pumper (red/white)
27 Truck
27 - 1988 Ford Pickup Fire
Prevention
28 Truck
28 - 1988 Ford Pickup Duty
Officer
31 Car
31
- 1990
Ford LTD Fire Chief George Packish (maroon)
31A Car 31A
- Deputy Charles Clarkin
31B Car 31B
- Deputy Paul Broduer
31C Car 31C
- 1987 Ford LTD Deputy Duty Car (red/white)
32
Engine 32 - 1981 Hendrickson /
Continental 1250/1000 Pumper (lime)
33 Truck
33 - 1987 Ford F150
4x4 Pickup - EMS Officer
34 Truck
34 - 1991 Ford Fire Alarm
Bucket Truck (red/white)
36
Rescue 36 - 1987 Ford CO / EVF Heavy
Rescue (Jaws) (white/orange)
37
Rescue 37 - 1987 Ford / EVF Type III
Ambulance (EMS 312) (white/orange)
38
Rescue 38 - 1989 Ford / Excellence Type
III Ambulance (EMS 314) (whte/ornge)
Boat Boat
- 17 foot Boston Whaler
Station 2 - Woods Hole
22
Engine 22 - 1979 Maxim F 1250/500 Pumper
(lime)
26
Ladder 26 - 1991 E-One 110' rm Aerial
Ladder (red/white)
E2 Eng 2
- 1927 Ahrens Fox 1000 gpm Antique (red)
Station 3 - North Falmouth
15
Breaker 15 - 1971 International / Thibault 350/1000 Brush Breaker (red)
23
Engine 23 - 1987 Ford C / E-One
1250/500 Pumper (red/white)
Station 4 - West Falmouth
24
Engine 24 - 1987 Ford C /
E-One 1250/500 Pumper
Station 5 - East Falmouth
16 Car
16
- 1979 International Canteen Truck Falmouth CD
25
Engine 25 - 1989 Ford C /
E-One 1250/500 Pumper
29 Truck
29 - 1988 Ford Pickup
Mechanic
30
Breaker 30 - 1982 Ford / Farrar 300/700
Brush Breaker (lime)
35 Tank
35
- 1965
International / Maxim 250/1000 Tanker
39
Rescue 39 - 1988 Ford /
Excellence Type III Ambulance (EMS 313) (whte/ornge)
L2
Ladder 2
- 1938 Maxim City Service Ladder Truck (old Ladder 2)
--------------------------------------------------
Early 1980s Apparatus Roster
Station 1 - Falmouth Center
20 Truck
20 - 1976 Dodge / Continental 60/300
brush breaker (red)
21 Eng
21 - 1979 Maxim F
1250/500 (lime)
26 Ladd
26 - 1969 American LaFrance 100'
Aerial Ladder Truck (Jaws) (red)
28 Truck
28 - 1981 Chevy 4x4 Pickup Duty Officer
28A Car 28A
- Fire Inspector R Garnue
28B Car 28B
- Fire Inspector Crocker
31 Car
31 - Fire Chief James
Rogers
31A Car 31A
- Deputy Chief Clifford Ameral
31B Car 31B
- Deputy Chief Russell Robbins
31C Car 31C
- Deputy Duty Car
39
Rescue 39 - 1979 Ford / Custom EVF Type III
Ambulance (EMS 313) (white/orange)
Boat Boat
- 16' Boston Whaler
Station 2 - Woods Hole
22
Eng 22 - 1962 Maxim S open
1000/500 Pumper (red)
27
Ladd 27 - 1938 Maxim S open 250/90 City
Service Ladder (red)
27A Truck 27A
- 1955 Dodge PW Lighting Plant (red)
27B Truck 27B
- 1927 Ahrens Fox 1000gpm Antique (red)
Station 3 - North Falmouth
15
Truck 15 - 1971 International / Thibault
500/1000 Brush Breaker (red)
23
Eng 23 - 1981 Hendrickson /
Continental 1250/1000 Pumper (red)
Station 4 - West Falmouth
24
Eng 24 - 1961 Maxim S open
1000/500 Pumper (red)
Station 5 - East Falmouth
25
Eng 25 - 1963 Maxim S
1000/1000 Pumper (red)
29
Truck 29 - 1981 Chevy Pickup Mechanic
(red)
30
Truck 30 - 1982 Ford / Farrar 300/600
Brush Breaker (lime)
32
Eng 32 - 1956 Maxim S
open 750/300 Pumper Reserve (lime)
34
Truck 34 - 1983 Chevy Fire Alarm Bucket
Truck (lime)
35
Tank 35 - 1965 International /
Maxim 350/1000 Tanker (red)
36
Car 36
- Falmouth CD Truck (white)
36A Car 36A
- Falmouth CD Director
37
Rescue 37 - 1978 Ford / Custom EVF Type III
Ambulance (EMS 312) (whte/orge)
38
Rescue 38 - 1982 Ford / Custom EVF Type III
Ambulance (EMS 314) (whte/orge)
--------------------------------------------------
1979 Apparatus Roster
Station 1
Falmouth
--------------------------------------------------
MAJOR FIRES &
INCIDENTS HISTORY
Fires and Incidents in Falmouth:
1947 - October - A general alarm forest fire destroyed over 1,500 acres in Beebe
Woods threatened Falmouth center.
1963 - A general alarm fire destroyed Wood Lumber Company threatening downtown
Falmouth with flying brands.
1967-1968 - An organized arson spree resulted in dozens of working fires.
A 4 month period in 1968 saw 24 working house fires. Many fires were
multiple alarm and often more than one working fire occurred over night.
Most of the structures were vacant and injuries were few, but the damage and
fear was extensive.
1986 - The Mirmar Mansion on Church Street in Woods Hole was destroyed by a
multiple alarm fire.
1994 - February - The Falmouth Playhouse was destroyed by a 4 am fire. The
unoccupied landmark was 90% involved on arrival and soon collapsed. Water
supply problems and weather conditions added to the destruction of the large
wooden building. Units remained on scene for days.
INCIDENT HISTORY -
RUN STATS
Incident History
Year
Fire
EMS Total
1950
98
183
281
1960
287
387
674
1970
670
589
1,259
1975
428
930
1,358
1980
833
1,561
2,394
1985
582
800
1,382 (reflects 1/2 year / change to fiscal year)
1990
1,027
2,138
3,165
1992
1,470
1,802
3,272
1993
1,065
2,123
3,188
1994
873
2,395
3,268
1995
906
2,481
3,387
1996
1,088
2,682
3,770
1997
1,196
2,739
3,935
1998
1,237
2,858
4,095
1999
1,079
3,138
4,217
2000
4,671
2001
4,773
2002
1,522
3,913
5,435
2003
5,485
2004 5,342
2005 5,455
2006
5,544
2007
5,701
2008 6,011
2009
5,727
2010
6,054
2011
5,954
2012
6,237
2013
6,298
2014
6,674
2015
6,966
2016
7,625
2017
7,801
2018
8,002
2019
8,159
2020
7,372
2021
8,442
2022
8,920
2023
8,493
Updated January 13, 2024
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