There were some references to
fire apparatus in Wellfleet prior to the official acceptance of Ch.48 in 1934.
Back in Feb 1875, there is mention of a committee planning specs for Town Hall
to procure all necessary info regarding hooks, ladders, the chemical engine and
extinguishers. Another reference in 1879 mentions procuring such fire apparatus,
ladders, ropes, axes, etc along with a shelter for same. A similar
reference is made in 1882, so perhaps these articles failed in town meetings or
follow-up to same. In 1911, $500 was authorized for purchase of fire
apparatus. In 1912, there was an article for$1000 for the purchase of fire
apparatus - this may have been for the forest fire warden. A fire tower was
built in town in 1928. In 1932, the fire warden's report states the fire
apparatus is now obsolete and should be replaced by modern forest fire fighting
equipment. There was also some reference to the fire station in 1932 with a vote
to extend and enlarge the facilities. That station was on Commercial Street,
opposite Bank Street.
There was a Model T forest fire truck with a small pump and tank prior to the
establishment of the department. A 1929 American LaFrance pumper (Engine
1) was also bought in town before the department was officially organized. It
had a 500 gpm pump and only an 80 gallon tank, but it could pump a stream over
the Congregational Church at draft. It remained in service until about 1959.
The Wellfleet Fire Department was officially established
February 12, 1934 with the acceptance of Ch.48, sections 42, 44, and 45 of
general laws. A Board of Engineers was appointed with Dr. C.J. Bell, Cyril
Downs, Edward B. Lane, Fred Howard, Benjamin Paine, and Clarence Hicks.
From that group, Edward Lane was appointed as Chief, Fred Howard 1st Asst
Deputy, and Cyril Downs 2nd Asst Deputy. The board of Engineers found the
equipment lacking. A siren was donated to the department. In 1935, there
were 19 brush and grass calls, including one 14-1/2 acre fire at which the town
'moth sprayer' was utilized. The report for 1935 reports the pump was overhauled
and now produces 3 streams, where before it only produced one. Of the original
1200' of hose, 200' was condemned. The department had 15 members.
A tank truck was bought in 1935. It had about a
1000 gallon tank on a Ford chassis.
The separate forest fire department retired its Model T in 1939 and bought a
1939 forest fire truck that served until the forest fire department and fire
department merged in 1950. The fire station was expanded to 3 bays in
1938-39.
A 1946 Chevy (engine 2) was bought and became the first due engine with a 500
gpm pump and a water tank. Truck later known as 92. A 1955 Dodge pumper was
bought as Engine 3 (93) with 1000 gallons. In 1958, a Ford/Maxim 750 gpm pumper
was bought for Engine 4 (94). In 1974, another Ford/Maxim was bought for
Engine 5 (95).
The
Wellfleet rescue squad was established in the 1950s. Lower Cape Ambulance served
Wellfleet as well from about 1954 to 1960. The LCA was in Truro. Wellfleet
got its first ambulance, a retired military Cadillac from Fort Drum, NY. A "good
body" from another 1953 Cadillac was refitted onto the military chassis by
members of the department.
A Panel Truck rescue truck was purchased from CD in 1957-58 and carried some
equipment.
Wellfleet moved out of the cramped, waterfront station on Commercial Street into
a modern Fire-Police facility on Lawrence Road, just off Route 6 in 1982.
The new station, featured the fire station in the lower level and the police
above facing another road. The station had 4 bays, double deep and able to
hold more modern equipment.
Major Fires & Emergencies
1934 - July 19 - Chequesett Inn Fire.
1960 - March - Wellfleet Town Hall Fire during a
blizzard.
Incident History
Year
Fire
EMS Total
1950
1960
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1992 183
497 673
1993 184
548 733
1994 183
631 814
!995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
1034
2001
1362
2002 349
967 1316
2003
1068
2004
1488
2005
1212
2006 288
906 1194
2007
1163
1975 Apparatus Roster
90 - 1970 Dodge Power Wagon brush truck 300 gals
91
92 - 1948 Chevy 4x4 250/600 fire truck
93 - 1940s Chevy 500 gpm pumper
94 - 1958 Ford F800 / Maxim 750/500 pumper
95 - 1975 Ford F750 / Maynard 750/500 Pumper
96
97 - 1974 Dodge / Providence Body Rescue Truck
98
99
01/06/07 |
