* Fire
Department Organization
* Fire Chiefs
* Fire Station History
* Fire Apparatus History
* Major Fires & Incidents
History
* Run Stats History
FIRE DEPARTMENT
ORGANIZATION
The Dennis Fire Department was established in March 1932.
Dennis rescue established in 1951
. In March 1993, Lt. Paul Tucker was
promoted to Fire Chief replacing retiring chief Robert Hersey who served as
chief for 22 years. Dennis replaced its 18 year old 1975 Maxim 100' aerial
in 1993 with a 110' Emergency One valued at approx $350,000.
-----
Prior to the establishment of
a fire department, the extinguishment of fires fell under the responsibility of
the Forest Wardens. The Forest Wardens were appointed positions, who had a small
budget, to put out fires. There were several wardens in the 1920s including:
FOREST WARDENS
(1920-21) Charles E Pierce
(1921-25) Alvin S Taylor
(1925-28) Nathan D Eldridge
(1928-30) Earle H Wittemore
(1930-39) Richard S Hall served as Forest Warden
(1932-39) Richard S Hall became first Fire Chief in 1932
Annual reports typically included mention of several
fires each year.
1928
The first mention of a Fire Truck, apparatus, and
equipment comes in the 1928 Annual Report. About $300 was appropriated at March
1928 meeting and paid out to Hyannis Auto Sales for a truck. In addition, about
$3000 was appropriated to buy (2) forest fire pumps and 5,000 feet of hose,
split between the North and South sides of town.
Another meeting held in Aug 1928 appropriated $300 for
a second Fire Truck.
1929
The 1929 Report mentions the (2) Fire Trucks with 200 gallon
tanks, (1) in South and (1) in North.
1930
1931
1932
The First Annual Report of the Dennis Fire Department, for the year ending Dec
31, 1932, was submitted by Fire Chief & Forest Warden Richard S. Hall. It showed
the department responded to 68 calls in 1932. The (1927?) Dodge truck (E1?)
purchased by the Firemen's Association, who gave it to the town in 1932, proved
valuable, being equipped with a 250 gallon tank. He recommended the same for Engine 2 (E2?). He mentioned the
"supply truck" (E3?) on the South side was in
good shape mechanically, but needs a new body. Members are willing to do the
work if the town provides the materials. He mentioned the Fire Towers were
helpful for the 1 forest fire in town.
Fire Dept 1932 appropriation $1000. Forest Warden appropriation $750
Mar 8, 1932 - Art.17 Voted: Adopt MGL Ch.48, sec 42, 43, 44 ESTABLISHING
Fire Department and Fire Chief.
1933
The Second Annual Report for 1933, by Chief Richard S Hall. Responded to 35
calls in 1933, $25,000 fire loss.
Apparatus could be modernized, 3 trucks being
7 years or older, but told to economize. So using apparatus that might start or
might not. One example, truck would not start, had forest fire cost $1500.
Recommend 1934 budget $1000 FD and $750 Forest.
Need 12 tires older than 5
years, 2000' 1" hose, build new ceiling South Station.
Fire Dept Appropriation $1400. Forest Warden appropriation $750.
1934
The Third Annual Report for 1934, Chief Hall, reported 48 calls in 1934.
Apparatus in good shape.
Budget reflects purchase of GMC chassis, body, tank, hose, equipment $2000,
Northside.
(Art 68)
Recommend remodeling South Station.
1935
The Fourth Annual Report for 1935, Chief Hall, reported 23 calls in 1935. Very
low fire loss.
Appropriations included
Art.34 $600 for various equipment.
Art.35 $200 for wells,
Art.36 $400 for South Station work,
Reports apparatus and equipment in good
condition.
Recommend a 500 gpm pump be installed on the (1934?) GMC truck at Sta.2
and a
completely (new) V8 Ford 500 gpm pumper for the Central (South station).
Comment
that Dennis is only department on Cape without a 500 gpm pumper.
Recommend for 1936, $1932 for equipping GMC Eng.2; $4500 for new Eng.1.
Central Station was remodeled and is first class now.
Art.28 - Purchase 500 gpm Ford Pumper
Art.29 - Equip (1934) GMC Eng.2 with 500 gpm pump and 1200' hose.
1936
The Fifth Annual Report for 1936, Chief hall reported 45 calls in 1936, with
$8700 fire loss.
Equipment and apparatus in good shape, but the newest apparatus on Southside is 8
years old.
Fire Dept budget $2100. Forest fire $350.
Recommendations for 1937 budget:
$8500 for (1) 500 gpm Maxim pumper;
$1900
for (1) 500 gpm Barton pump for GMC (1934) on North side.
Art.28 - Indef Postponed - To buy Ford 500 gpm pumper
Art.29 - Indef Postponed - To equip GMC on Northside
1937 Warrant -Art.47 - See if appropriate $9500 for 500 gpm Ford Pumper
1937 Warrant -Art.48 - See if appropriate $5490 for 500 gpm pumpers for both
North and South Stations
1937
The Sixth Annual Report for 1937, Chief Hall, reported 42 calls in 1937, $5500
loss.
Apparatus in good shape, except for hose.
Budget recommendation $3200 for FD operations
Appropriations: Fire Dept operations $1853
Appropriations: 500 gpm Ford Pumper and equipment $4500
Mar 1937 Meeting -
Art.47 - See if appropriate $9500 for Maxim 500 Pumper.
Motion by Chief and voted to spend $4500 on Ford 500 gpm Pumper (E1) and
equipment.
Art.48 - See if appropriate $4590 to equip Eng.1 and Eng.2 with 500 gpm pumps.
Indef Postponed.
Art.63 - $10,000 to acquire land in Dennisport, construction of a fire station,
and equipping with a 500 gpm Maxim Pumper on a Ford or Chevy chassis with hose
and equipment.
1938
The Seventh Annual Report for 1938, Chief Hall, reported 49 calls in 1938.
Apparatus in good shape except for Forestry truck in North Station which is
unsafe.
In past year members completed first aid classes with Capt Bayles.
Mar 1938 meeting -
Art.63 - Indef Postponed - $10,000 To acquire land in Dennisport for a fire
station, build a station, and equip it with a 500 gpm Maxim pumper on a Ford or
Chevy chassis, with hose and equipment.
Art.26 - See if appropriate $1600 to buy, equip forestry truck for Station 2.
Art.27 - See if appropriate $400 for a booster pump for Tank truck Engine 1
1939
The Eighth Annual Report for 1939, Chief Hall, 46 calls
in 1939.
Appropriations show $1800 FD operations, $1600 for Fire Engine, $400 for Leonard
pump and hose.
Report recommended 1. Install 100 gal booster pump on International, 2.
Searchlite on Chevy, 3. Pay the fire
chief.
1940
FIRE CHIEFS
2023-Present
- Christopher Guerreiro
2021-2023
- Robert "Buster" Brown
2005-2021
- Mark Dellner
2004-2005
- John Donlan (acting chief)
1993-2004
- Paul Tucker
1971-1993
- Robert Hersey
1966-1970
- Mahlon A Chase
1962-1966
- Raymond S Hersey
1943-1962
- Clarence W Bayles
1940-1943
- Edward N Clough
1932-1940
- Richard S. Hall (First Chief)
Assistant Chiefs
2023-Present
- Geoffrey Mullholand
2021-2023
- Christopher Guerreiro
2008-2021
- John Donlan (ret 8-13-21)
Deputy Chiefs
2021-Present
- Tony Kent
(7-15-21)
2012-2021
- Robert "Buster" Brown
2008-2012
- Robert Tucker
-2004
- John Donlan
1971-
- W Bradford Morse
Captain Robert Tucker promoted to Deputy Chief 7/1/08.
Retired 2012.
FIRE STATIONS
HISTORY
1932 - Company 1 - 293 Main Street, old South Dennis
Grammar School
1932 - Company 2 - Old Bass River Road, old North Dennis Grammar School
1949 - Station 1 - 883 Route 28, West Dennis
(old station)
1956 - Station 2 - 1015 Old Bass River Road, North Dennis
1999 - Station 1 - 883 Route 28, West Dennis (new station)
FIRE APPARATUS HISTORY
1995 Apparatus Roster
Station 1 - West Dennis
100 Truck 4
- 1989 Ford F250 Pickup Truck
101 C-1
- 1992 Ford LTD Fire Chief Paul Tucker
102 C-2
- 1986 Ford LTD Deputy Bradford Morse
103 Rescue 1
- 1990 GMC 7000/Frontline Type I Ambulance (EMS 344)
104 Rescue 2
- 1991 Ford F350/Horton Type I Ambulance (EMS 345)
105 Truck 3
- 1976 Dodge Pw300 150/300 Forestry
106 Engine 1
- 1988 E-One Cyclone 1500/500/40 Pumper
108 Ladder 1
- 1994 E-One Hurricane rm 110' Aerial Ladder Truck
112 Engine 3
- 1972 Maxim F/'86 Murphy 1000/500 Pumper
119 C-5
- 1985 Ford LTD Fire Prev Car
Haz
- 1990 Wells Cargo Pollution Control Trailer
Boat
- Boston Whaler 17' / Evinrude 50hp Boat
Ice
- Zodiac 9' Ice Boat
Station 2 - North Dennis
107 Engine 2
- 1981 Ford C8000/E-One 1250/500 Pumper
110 Truck 2
- 1971 Dodge PW300/Maynard 250/300 Brush Breaker
111 Car 3
- POV - Deputy Paul Prue
115 Engine 4
- 1980 Maxim F/'89 Greenwood 1500/500 Pumper
--------------------------------------------------
1992 Apparatus Roster
Station 1 - West Dennis
100 Truck 4
- 1989 Ford F250 Pickup Truck
101 Car 1
- 1989 Ford LTD Fire Chief Robert Hersey
102 Car 2
- 1985 Ford LTD Deputy Bradford Morse
103 Rescue 1
- 1990 GMC 7000/Frontline Type I Ambulance (EMS 344)
104 Rescue 2
- 1991 Ford F350/Frontline Type I Ambulance (EMS 345)
105 Truck 3
- 1976 Dodge PW300 4x4 150/300 Forestry Truck
106 Engine 1
- 1988 E-One Cyclone 4cf 1500/500/50 Pumper
108 Ladder 1
- 1975 Maxim F ms 100' Aerial Ladder
112 Engine 3
- 1972 Maxim F /'86 Murphy refurb 1000/500 Pumper
Haz
- 1990- Wells Cargo Pollution Control Trailer
Boat
- Boston Whaler 17'/ Evinrude 50hp Boat
Ice
- Ray Ice Sled
Station 2 - North Dennis
107 Engine 2
- 1981 Ford C8000/E-One 1000/500 Pumper (lime)
110 Breaker 2
- 1971 Dodge PW300/Matnard 250/300 Brush Breaker
111 Car 3
- POV - Deputy Paul Prue
115 Engine 4
- 1980 Maxim F/'89 Greenwood 1500/500 Pumper
--------------------------------------------------
1979 Apparatus Roster
Station 1
West Dennis
100 Truck 1
1970 GMC Pickup
101 C-1
Fire Chief Robert Hersey
101A C-2
Deputy Brad Morse
103 Rescue 2 1975
Ford/Providence Body Modulance Class I Lifepak 4. EMS 345
104 Rescue 1 1976 Chevy/Horton
Modulance Class I Lifepak 5 EMS 344
105 Truck 3
1975 Dodge Power Wagon 250/250 Brush Truck
108 Ladder 1 1975 Maxim F
100' Aerial Ladder Truck
112 Engine 3 1972
Maxim F 1000/750 Pumper. Deckgun, 4" hose. Jaws
115 Engine 4 1967
Maxim S 1000/500 Pumper. Deckgun, 4" hose
C-12 Truck 4 1963
Maxim 800 gallon County Brush Breaker
Station 2
North Dennis
106 Engine 1 1956
GMC/Maxim 750/500 Pumper
107 Engine 2 1962
GMC/Maxim 1000/500 Pumper
110 Truck 2
1971 Dodge Power Wagon 250/400 Brush Breaker
Apparatus History
1925
1926
1927 T1 1927 Dodge 200 gal - Eventual Hose Reel (later
1928
1929 T2 1929 Ford Model A 200 gal Fire Truck
1930
1931
1932
DENNIS FIRE DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHED MARCH
1932
Fire Chief Richard S Hall
1932 1 Dodge 250 gallon Fire Truck (Asso
to Dept)
2
3
(1933) Three of apparatus are more than 7 years old (<1926)
1933 T3 1933 Chevy Fire Truck
1934 T4 1934 GMC
1935
(1936) Best apparatus South Side 8 yrs old (~1928)
Article for Ford 500 South and GMC 500 North (Indef on both)
1936 T3
1936 Chevy
1937 Engine 1 1937
Ford/Maxim 500 Pumper (1937-1957)
1938
1939
1940
Fire Chief Edward N Clough
(1940) T5 1929 Ford Model A
- needs work
T7 1927 Dodge
- needs work
T4 1933 Truck
1941 T5 1941 International/Maxim (1941-1967)
1942
1943
Fire Chief Clarence W Bayles
1943
1944 Recommend Patrol Truck Sta 2
1945
(1945) T2 Recommend replace 10 yrs (~1935)
1946 Patrol 178 1946 Chevy
Patrol Truck 150 gals (1946-1968)
1946 Engine 2 1946 (Inter?/Maxim) 500 gpm Pumper (Sta 2) (1946-1972)
1947
1948
1949 STATION 1 New Fire & Police
Station Route 28 West Dennis
(1949) T2 Recommend replace 16 yrs (~1933)
T3 Recommend replace 14 yrs (~1935)
T2 Recommend replace GMC Sta 2
1950 T2 Approved T2 Sta 2 (GMC? Farrar?)
1950 T2
1950 GMC/Farrar Tank Truck (Sta.2) (1950-1979?)
Res Approved Panel Truck rescue
Amb Approved Ambulance
1951 Res 1951 GMC Panel Rescue Equip Truck (1951-1968)
1952
(1953) T3 Replace T3 Sta 1 - Sell 1936 Chevy T3 Sta 1
1953 T3 - 105
1953 GMC/Farrar Tank Truck (1953-1975) Sta.1 (replaced 1936)
1953 Amb 1953 Caddy Ambulance (1953-1958)
1954
1955
1956 STATION 2 New
Fire Station 2 Old Bass River Road
1956 Patrol Purchase Pickup Patrol
1957 Engine 1-106 1957 GMC/Maxim 750 Pumper -
(Replaced 1937 Ford)
1958 Amb 1958 Caddy Ambulance - Replace 1953 (1959-1967)
1959
1960 C1 1960 Ford Station Wagon Chief Car
1961
1962
Fire Chief Raymond S Hersey
1962 Engine 2-107 1963 GMC/Maxim Pumper Sta 2 - Replace 1939
Inter T2 (1962- )
1963
1964
1965
1966
Fire Chief Mahlon A Chase
1966
1966 SUKW (1966) CD Amphibian DUKW
1967 Amb 1967 Caddy Ambulance (1967-1973)
1967 Engine 4 - 115 1967 Maxim S 1000/500 Pumper
Engine 3 Trans from Sta 1 to Sta 2
1968 Patrol 1968 Patrol Truck
1969 Rescue 1968 Chevy Rescue Truck (Replaced 1951 Panel)
1970
1971
Fire Chief Robert Hersey
1971 Truck 2 - 110 1971 Dodge PW/Maynard 250/300 Brush Breaker
1972 Engine 3 - 112 1972 Maxim F 1000/500 Pumper
(1972- )
1972 Ladder 1 - 108 1942 Seagrave 65' Ladder Truck (old Onset) (1972-1975)
1973 Rescue 1 - 103 1973 Dodge/Prov Rescue Truck (amb)
1974
1975 Ladder 1 - 108 1975 Maxim F 100' Aerial Ladder (1975-
1975 T3 - 105 1975 Dodge Brush Utility - (Replaced 1953 Tank Truck)
1975 C1 - 101 1975 Ford Station Wagon Chief
1976 Rescue 2 - 104 1976 Chevy/Horton Type I Ambulance
1977
1978
1979 Engine 1 - 106 1979 Maxim F 1500/500 Pumper
(lime) (1980-2004)
(1979) Engine 4 - 115 1967 Maxim S 1000/500 Pumper
(reassigned Sta.2)
(1979) Ladder 2 - 109 1950 GMC Truck 2 (Retired?)
1980 Rescue 1 - 103 1979 Chevy/Horton Ambulance
1981 Engine 2 - 107 1981 Ford C8000/E-One 1250/500 Pumper (lime/'93 r/w)
1982
1983
1984
1985
(1986) Engine 3 - 112 1972 Maxim F (1986 EJ Murphy Refurb)
1987
1988 Engine 1 - 106 1988 E-One 1500/500/40 Pumper-HR
(1989) Engine 4 - 115 1979 Maxim (1989 Greenwood Refurb)
(was E1) (r/w)
1989 Rescue 1 - 103 1989 GMC 7000/Frontline
Type I Ambulance
1990 Rescue 1 - 103 1990 GMC 7000/Frontline
Type I Ambulance
1991 Rescue 2 - 104 1991 Ford F350/Horton
Type I Ambulance
1992
1993
Fire Chief Paul A Tucker
1993
1994 Ladder 1 - 108 1994 E-One 110'rm
Aerial Ladder Truck
1995 Rescue 1 - 103 1995 Chevy/Horton Type I
Ambulance
1995 Rescue 2 - 104 1995 Chevy/Horton Type I
Ambulance
1996
1997 Engine 3 - 112 1997 E-One
1500/500 Pumper (1997- )
1998
1999 Forestry 110
1999 Ford F450/Gary's 225/400 Forestry
2001 Rescue 103
2001 Ford F450/Horton Type I Ambulance (2001-2009)
2001 Rescue 104
2001 Ford F450/Horton Type I Ambulance (2001- )
(2002) Ladder 1 - 110 1994 E-One 110'rm Aerial Ladder
Truck (was 108)
(2002) Forestry 108 1999 Ford F450/Garys
Forestry (was 110)
2003 Engine 1 - 106 2003
American LaFrance 1500/500 Pumper (2003-2016)
2004 Engine 4 - 115 1988 E-One
1500/500/40 Pumper (was E1-106)
2005
2006 Amb 104
2006 Ford F450/Horton Type I Ambulance (2006-2015)
2007 Engine 107 2007 Pierce Dash
1500/500 (2007-2012) (Replaced 1981)
2008
2009 Amb 103
2009 Ford F450/Horton Type I Ambulance
2010
2011 Amb 105
2011 Ford F550/Horton Type I Ambulance (2011-2019)
2012 Engine 115
2012 E-One Cyclone 1500/500 Pumper (replaced 1988)
(2012) Engine 111
2007 Pierce Dash 1500/500 (was 107)
(2012) Engine 114
2003 American LaFrance 1500/500 (was E1-106)
2013
2014
2015 Amb 104
2015 Ford F550/Horton Type I Ambulance
2016 Engine 114
2016 Pierce Arrow XT 1500/500 Pumper (replaced 2003)
2016 Amb 106
2016 Ford F550/Horton Type I Ambulance
2017
2018 Amb 105
2018 Ford F550/Horton Type I Ambulance
(2019) Dive 116
2011 Ford F550/Horton Type I Dive Truck (was 105)
2020
------------
E1 106
1937 Ford/Maxim 500 (1937-1957)
E1 106 1957 GMC/Maxim 750
(1957-1979)
E1 106 1979 Maxim F 1500
(1979-1988) Lime (to E4 1989)
E1 106 1988 E-One 1500
(1988-
106
2003 ALF 1500
(2003-
E2 107
1946 International 500 (1946-
E2 107 1962 GMC/Maxim 750
(1962-
E2 107 1981 Ford/E-One 1250
(1981- ) Lime
E3 112
1972 Maxim F 1000 (1972- )
E3 112 1997 E-One 1500
(1997- )
E4 115
1967 Maxim S 1000 (1967-1989)
E4 115 1980 Maxim F 1500
(1989- ) (1989 Refurb r/w)
MAJOR FIRES &
INCIDENTS HISTORY
Major Fires & Emergencies
1988 - Feb 9 - Two people died in a fire in a duplex on Niblick Road at 0240
hrs.
1990 - Jan 18 - A 2 alarm fire caused heavy damage to the Kings Ransom
Restaurant on Rte.28 at 2000 hours.
1991 - July 9 - A 0100 hours fire caused $400,000 damage to the Barbo's Wayside
Furnature warehouse on Route 28 in Dennisport. The 30' x 60' wing of the
warehouse was destroyed.
1991 - July 28 - A 68 year old woman was rescued from her 75 Cove Road home at
1200 hours and flown to Boston with burns.
1993 - Feb 13 - A stump dump fire on Great Western Road took 6 days to
extinguish.
INCIDENT HISTORY -
RUN STATS
Incident History
Year
Fire
EMS Total
1930
1931
1932
1933 36
36
1934 48
48
1935 23
23
1936 45
45
1937 42
42
1938 49
49
1939 46
46
1940 52
52
1941 56
56
1942 41
41
1943 37
37
1944 63
63
1945 52
52
1946 64
64
1947 86
86
1948 57
57
1949 74
74
1950 66
66
1951 51
51
1952 53
63 116
1953 61
124 185
1954 51
135 186
1955 45
161 206
1956 50
171 221
1957 86
166 252
1958 56
208 264
1959 48
226 274
1960 41
238 279
1961 48
258 306
1962 52
239 291
1963 99
374 473
1964 126
356 482
1965 123
379 589
1966 211
437 648
1967 244
473 717
1968 252
480 732
1969 296
614 910
1970 303
702 1,005
1971 362
758 1,120
1972 283
827 1,110
1973 307
937 1,244
1974 382
1,555 1,773
1975 475
1,219 1,694
1976 453
1,217 1,720
1977 608
1,533 2,041
1978 524
1,504 2,028
1979 486
1,509 2,075
1980 589
1,607 2,196
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1950
45
161 206
1960
48
258 306
1970
303
702 1,005
1975
475
1,219 1,694
1980
566
1,603 2,169
1985
986
1,631 2,617
1990
675
1,681 2,356
1992
1993
1994
1995 1,060
2,121 3,181
1996 1,139
2,146 3,285
1997 1,250
2,181 3,431
1998
882
2,575 3,456
1999 1,071
2,727 3,798
2000
3,747
2001
3,967
2002 1,198
2,777 3,975
2003
2004
4,299
2005
4,491
2006
4,425
2007
4,669
2008
4,676
2009
4,510
2010
4,587
2011
4,948
2012
4,441
2013
4,620
2014
4,686
2015
4,979
2016
5,103
2017
4,963
2018
5,404
2019
5,480
2020
5,030
2021
5,478
2022
5,595
2023
5,512
Updated January 13, 2024
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