DEPARTMENT HISTORY
 

     The Town was established in 1727.

     Town reports make reference to early fire fighting equipment as early as 1826.

     The first actual "fire engine" Washington No.1 was purchased in 1836.

     Provincetown Fire Department became the first fire department established on Cape Cod when it was officially established on May 19, 1859 according to Massachusetts General Laws with a fire chief and board of engineers.

     A Rescue Squad was established in Provincetown in the 1950's.

The following dates and information were found in the Provincetown town records.....

1620, Nov 11......Pilgrims arrived in Provincetown, established "Mayflower Compact"

1727....................Town of Provincetown is Established.

1775....................Provincetown population 205, about 20 homes.

1800....................Provincetown has approximately 144 dwellings.

1820....................Provincetown population 1,252.

1820....................PTown voted to purchase 4 fire hooks (first noted fire purchase)

1826, Mar 6.........PTown voted NOT to purchase a fire engine.

1829, Mar 6.........PTown appointed 6 Fire Wards.

1830, Apr 5.........PTown again voted NOT to purchase a fire engine.

1831, May 11......PTown voted NOT to purchase a fire engine "Already in possession" of
                            Jonathan Cook.... So some kind of used fire engine had apparently been brought to
                            PTown as early as 1831!

1836, Mar 7........PTown voted "to buy a fire engine" (No.1 The "Washington" - 1836
                           Hunneman)

1836, Mar 7........PTown voted "to purchase 30 second hand leather buckets and 100 feet of hose"
                           to support the fire engine. (needed to provide a bucket brigade to fill the hand
                           pumper with water.... there was no water system.)

1837...................Ptown voted Fire House No.1 @ 351 Commercial Street (Center)
                           Home to "Washington No.1"?

1839...................PTown voted as additional 10 buckets for the engine company.

1840...................PTown population 2,122.

1850, Feb 11......PTown voted to "buy a fire engine" (No.2 The Franklin - 1850 Hunneman)

1853...................(mention of Hook & Ladder being placed in service)

1854...................Ptown Town Hall built on High Pole Hill... with high tower that can be seen half
                           way to Boston Light. (destroyed by fire on Feb 16, 1877)

1855...................PTown population 3,096.

1858...................PTown voted "Fire House No.2" @ 117 Commercial Street (West End)
                           Original home to Engine 2 - eventually Station 1.

1859, Feb 14......PTown voted to elect fire wardens, but did NOT approve "formation" of a Fire
                           Department.

1859, May 19.....PTown "APPROVED FORMATION OF A FIRE DEPARTMENT"
                           E. C. Loring appointed First Fire Chief.
                           (followed by Eben S. Smith fire chief...unknown date)

1859...................PTown purchased "Rescue Hook & Ladder No.1" built by B. A. Ellison in
                           Wellfleet.

1859...................Ptown Fire House - Rescue Hook & Ladder No.1 - 252 Commercial St.?

1866...................Ptown board of engineers... J. D. Hilliard joined board.

1867...................Ptown voted NOT to purchase a Steam fire engine. Initial vote to approved the
                           steam engine was rescinded at a subsequent meeting. Not purchased until 1889.

1868...................Ptown voted "to purchase (2) used fire engines."
                           (No.3 - the "Mazeppa" - used 1854 Hunneman from Lowell, MA fire dept)
                           (No.4 - the "Excelsior" - used 1854 Hunneman from Lowell, MA fire dept)
                           (some reference to engines being built in 1850)

1868...................Ptown Fire House 3 originally @ Commercial & Pearl Street.

1869...................Ptown voted to "purchase a fire engine" to replace No.1, the Washington.
                           (No.1 - the "Ulysses" - 1869 Hunneman.)

1869...................Ptown Fire House @ 514 Commercial Street. (current Station 5)
                           Original House Engine No.1, currently Engine 5

1869...................Ptown Fire House @ 189 Commercial Street. (former Station 2)
                           Originally Engine No.2.

1870...................PTown Fire Department profile....
                           4 engine companies, each having a hose cart....
                           1 hook & ladder company....
                           1 relief engine and 1 relief hose company....
                           5 fire houses...
                           3,650 feet of hose, 26 reservoirs...
                           370 firemen on roster...

1870...................PTown has 794 dwellings.

1871...................PTown "J. D. Hilliard" is Fire Chief. (see 1872)

1871...................Ptown Engine to replace the 1850 Franklin No.2
                           (1871 Hunneman "Franklin No.2)

1871...................Ptown... Railroad reaches Provincetown.

1872, May 7.......Ptown John D. Hilliard becomes fire chief... serves 25 years. Replaced chief
                           Eben S. Smith.

1873...................PTown "Tiger Company No.5" is organized. Used original 1850 Franklin No.2.
                           (youth training company)  (also called Wide Awake No.5)

1875...................PTown population is 4,357

1889...................PTown voted to "purchase steam engine" ("J. D. Hilliard" Engine No.3)

1889...................Ptown Engine House 3 - relocated to Johnson street.

1889...................PTown voted to "purchase chemical & hose" ("Excelsior" Engine No.4)

1890...................PTown population over 5,000.

1897...................Ptown, Chief Hilliard replaced by Chief George H. Holmes, served 7 years.

1899...................PTown - Mention of Excelsior Fire Engine No.4 being shipped off to Smith Mills,
                           Mass where it will be used fro fires, still in good condition. Many pleasant
                           memories of her high ranks and records at fires and musters.

1902...................Ptown moved fire house No.3 from Commercial Street to Johnson Street.

1904...................Ptown Chief James H. Barnett replaced chief Holmes.

1913...................PTown roster....
                           126 firemen...
                           1 steam engine.... (No.3... 1889 J.D.Hilliard)
                           1 chemical engine... (No.4... 1889 Excelsior?)
                           1 hose carriage...
                           6 hose reels...
                           2 hand engines.... (No.1... 1969 Ulysses? & No.2... 1871 Franklin?)

1918...................PTown voted to purchase their "first motorized" fire engine.
                           (Truck 5 - 1918 Ford Model T/American LaFrance)
                           (First motorized fire engine appears to have been purchased in 1918.
                           It was a Ford Model T/American LaFrance combination with a chemical tank,
                           sufficient hose, ladders, etc. Reference to it being called "auto truck 5" or
                           simply "Truck 5"  April 1918

1920...................PTown Hose 1 at House No.5 East end.

1925...................Ptown voted a "motorized ladder truck" for Rescue Hook & Ladder No.1
                           (1925 Ford Model T- Ladder Truck) would have replaced 1859 H&L?

1931...................PTown voted purchase of motorized engine.
                           (Engine No.1 - 1931 American LaFrance 500 gpm)
                           would have replaced the 1869 Ulysses?

1931...................PTown voted purchase of motorized engine.
                           (Engine No.2 - 1930 American LaFrance 500 gpm)
                           would have replaced the 1871 Franklin?

1933...................Ptown fire chief T. Julian Lewis, replaced Chief Barnett (see 1904)

1936...................Ptown voted purchase of motorized fire engine.
                           (Engine No.4 - 1936 American LaFrance 500 gpm)
                           would have replaced the 1889 Excelsior No.4 chemical wagon (?)

1940...................Ptown purchased engine.
                           (Engine No.3 - 1940 Ford / Maxim 500 gpm)

1945...................Ptown voted the purchase of 2 fire engines.
                           (Engine No.1 - 1946 American LaFrance series 600 200/500 Pumper)
                           would have replaced the 1930 American LaFrance
                           (Engine No.5 - 1946 American LaFrance series 600 200/500 Pumper)
                           would have replaced the 1918 Ford Model T

1947...................PTown Pumper 4 at East end.

1947...................Ptown Chief Lewis retired Dec.31, 1947. He served on the Ptown FD 66 yrs
                           (see 1933). Joined Tiger at age 14 c.1888

1950...................Ptown put a Willy's Jeep and pump trailer in service as "Engine No.6"

1953...................Ptown organized Rescue Squad. Conceived by Engineer Bob White, father of
                           Ronald White

1950's................Ptown rescue first used 1940 Ford Engine 3.

1958...................Ptown voted funds to buy and equip a Rescue Truck.

1962...................Ptown Engine No.2 - 1962 Chevy/Maxim 750/500 Pumper. Dec 1962.
                           would have replaced 1931 American LaFrance.

1968...................Ptown Engine No.3 - 1968 Chevy/Maxim 750/500 Pumper.
                           would have replaced 1940 Ford/Maxim.

1970...................Provincetown Fire Signals
                           District 1 - Provincetown Inn to Franklin Street (1 Blast on siren)
                           District 2 - Franklin to Court Street (2 Blasts)
                           District 3 - Court Street to Center Street (3 Blasts)
                           District 4 - Center Street to Howland Street (4 Blasts)
                           District 5 - Howland Street to Truro Town Line (5 Blasts)

1972...................Ptown had van style ambulance.

1973...................Ptown Engine No.1 - 1973 Ford/Maxim 1000/500 Pumper
                           would have replaced 1946 American LaFrance.

1975...................Ptown purchased modular style ambulance.

1976...................Ptown purchased 2 fire engines...
                           (Engine No.4 - 1976 International/Maxim fm 1000/500 Pumper)
                           would have replaced 1936 American LaFrance.
                           (Engine No.5 - 1976 International/Maxim fm 1000/500 Pumper)
                           would have replaced 1946 American LaFrance.

1976...................Ptown's first paramedics - Rescue Captain Ronald White and RN Judith Jahnig.
                           Other members in training Mark Robinson, Adam Wolf, and Moe VanDerick

1978...................Ptown has 911 available for emergency phone calls.

1980...................Ptown Fire Chief Wilbur Cook resigned. Deputy Clement Silva became chief.

1983...................PTown 1 fire department ambulance and 1 lower Cape ambulance housed in a
                           garage at Gosnold and Bradford St. 5/26 - problem with heat in garage.

1983...................PTown Fire Chief James F Meads

1991...................PTown Fire Chief James F Meads retiring age 65. Michael Trovato elected
                           acting fire chief Jan 11, 1991

1993...................PTown Fire Dept, all volunteer, lowest cost on Cape $129,000 in 1992
                           compared to other departments. Active fire trucks 1961, 1967, 1973, and 1976.
                           currently 87 volunteers.

1993...................Ptown built new central fire station at 25 Shank Painter Road.
                           (replaced No.1 @ 117 Commercial & No.2 @ 189 Commercial, No.3 moved
                           from Johnson Street)

1993...................Ptown purchased used Engine No.3 - 1975 Young 1250/500 Cab Forward.
                           replaced 1968 Chevy/Maxim.

1996...................Ptown built Ladder 2 - 1996 Ford/Middleboro/Maxim with 1000 gpm pump from
                           former Sandwich 1970 Maxim Eng.3. 500 gallon tank, and 1961 Maxim 75' aerial
                           from Central Falls, RI ladder truck.
                           replaced 1962 Chevy/Maxim Engine No.2 - became first aerial in Provincetown
                           and first ladder company since 1925 Model T went out of service 30+ years ago.

1997...................Ptown purchased used engine... Engine 4 - 1980 Mack MB 1000/1000 Pumper.
                           replaced 1976 International/Maxim.

2000...................Ptown Rescue 196. New ambulance.

2001...................Ptown new engine - Engine 5 - Freightliner / Ferarra 1250/500 Pumper.
                           replaced 1976 International/Maxim.

2001...................Ptown Station 5 renovated - 514 Commercial Street

2003...................Ptown new engine - Engine 3 - HME / Ferarra 1500/50 Pumper.
                           replaced 1975 Young.

2003...................Ptown new Ambulance 197 - Ford/Lifeline Ambulance.

2006...................Ptown new Engine 4 - HME/Ferarra 1500/500/30A/30B Pumper.
                           replaced 1980 Mack MB.

2007...................Ptown purchased new Ambulance 198 - 2007 Ford/Osage Ambulance.

2008...................PTown Ladder 2 rolled over in MVA Nov 9, 2008 at Route 6 & Snail Rd
                           1996 Ford truck destroyed.

2009...................Ptown borrowed former Orleans 1974 Maxim S Ladder truck after 1996 Ford/
                           Middleboro/Maxim Ladder 2 was destroyed in a rollover MVC.

2009...................Ptown purchased new Ladder 2 - Ferrara Inferno 1500/300 77' Smeal Aerial
                           Ladder Truck.  replaced 1996 Ladder 2.

 

Provincetown had fire apparatus as early as 1820. It had the first fire engine on Cape Cod c.1836, decades before any other town had any fire apparatus. The department officially organized in May 1859, first on Cape Cod.

The information on the Provincetown Fire Department is in some cases very well documented, and in other cases is somewhat confusing and conflicting. It is presented here as a way of trying to understand it and investigate it further. If anyone has additional information or photos, please contact us via email so we can continue to learn about this historic fire department.

STATIONS HISTORY
 

FIRE STATIONS

Provincetown - Believed to be the original fire station - 351 Commercial Street.
Served as home to the Washington No.1. Built c.1837.
Later it was home to the first motorized fire truck No.5 c.1918
Unsure when it ceased serving as a fire house. Currently a retail store.
 

Provincetown Engine House No.2 built around 1858 - 117 Commercial St, West end.
Shown with the Franklin No.2 & hose 2 in c.1918 photo.

Provincetown Station No.1 - 117 Commercial Street (west end)
Home to Engine No.2 originally in 1850.
Was home to Engine 5 at some point also.
Home to Engine No.1 until 1993 when closed and eventually sold to private owner.

Provincetown Fire Station - 189 Commercial Street
Believed to have been built c.1869.
Originally home to Engine No.2.
Served as Station No.2 until closed in 1993 when Shank Painter Station opened.

Provincetown Fire Station - 252 Commercial Street - built c.1859
At one time served as home to "Rescue Hook & Ladder Co.1"
April 1948 the Hook & Ladder house became Pumper No. 3
Also believed to have served as home to Engine No.3.
Served as Department Headquarters.
Believed to have closed c.1970's as an active fire house.

Provincetown Station - 4 Johnson Street - built c.1889
Originally home to Engine Co.3 - 1889 Amoskeag Steam Engine "J. D. Hillard"
Also home to Engine Co.4 and Engine Co.6.
Rescue also served from here until new Shank Painter Road station opened in 1993.
Currently home to Engine 4 (194) and antique 1936 American LaFrance E-4.
 

Provincetown Station 5 - 514 Commercial Street. Built c.1869
Originally home to 1869 "Ulysses" No.1
Then home to Engine No.5
Currently home to Engine 195.

1976, September - A fire department study was recommending a combined police and fire station to be located at Route 6 and Jerome Street. At the time the "central" station was Johnson street, which was totally inadequate for a central station according to reports. Alternative sites included: Bradford & Alden, Shank Painter Road, Standish Street, and Town Hall.

1988 March - Fire station to be located on Shank Painter Road across from 2 year old police station.

1989 January - Funding still delayed for Shank Painter fire station.

1992 May - $77K awarded to Architects for building design.

Provincetown Station - Central Station - 25 Shank Painter Road.
Built 1993. Combined Station 1, 2 and 3 into one house.

APPARATUS HISTORY
 

No.1

Provincetown Engine No.1 - "George Washington" 1836 Hunneman  hand tub #170.
First "fire engine" on Cape Cod. Served as "Washington" Engine No.1 1836-1869
Served as Relief company 1869-1871.
Served as "Tiger No.5" Junior engine company 1871-
Was preserved at Pilgrim museum.

After the purchase of "Washington" No.1 in 1836, Provincetown purchased 30 used leather buckets and 100 feet of hose to support the engine.

Provincetown Engine No.1 - "Ulysses" - 1869 Hunneman hand tub #704.
"Ulysses No. 1" was delivered to Provincetown July 14, 1869.
Replaced original Engine No.1 "Washington (1836 Hunneman)
Served as Engine No.1 from 1869-1925
Still maintained by Provincetown FD.

Provincetown  Engine 1 - 1931 American LaFrance 500 gpm pumper.
Would have replaced 1869 "Ulysses" hand tub?
Served from c.1931 - 1946.

Provincetown Engine No.1 - 1946 American LaFrance series 600
200 gpm/500 gallons. Would have replaced 1931 American LaFrance.
Served 1945 to 1973.

Provincetown Engine No.1 (190) - 1973 Ford/Maxim 1000/500 Pumper.
Replaced 1945 American LaFrance.
Served 1973 until replaced in 2002.

Provincetown Engine No.1 (190) - 1992 Freightliner/Ferarra 1250/500 Pumper
Replaced 1973 Ford/Maxim.

No.2

NO PHOTO

Provincetown Engine 2 - "Franklin" - 1850 Hunneman hand tub #389.
Delivered to Provincetown June 19, 1850.
Served 1850-1871 as "Franklin No.2"
Became "Relief No.2" 1871-1873
Reactivated as "Tiger No.5" in 1873

Franklin No.2 - 1871 Hunneman and hose cart - at West end station.
(photo 1916)

Provincetown Engine No.2 "Franklin" - 1871 Hunneman hand tub #716
Replaced original Engine No.2 "Franklin" - 1950 Hunneman hand tub #389

Provincetown Engine 2 - 1930 American LaFrance 500 gpm pumper.
Would have replaced 1871 Franklin. (?)
Served c.1931 - 1962

Provincetown Engine 2 (192) - 1962 Chevy/Maxim 750/500 Pumper
would have replaced 1930 American LaFrance.
Served 1962 to 1996.

In 1996, Company No.2 became the Ladder company.

Provincetown Ladder 2 (192) - 1996 Ford CF8800 / built by Middleboro Fire Apparatus,
using a 1000 gpm Hale pump from the former 1970 Sandwich Engine 3 (150) and a 75' Maxim
aerial ladder from a 1961 Central Falls, RI ladder truck.
Ladder 192 was a unique apparatus, built for the narrow streets of Provincetown. It was the first
aerial ladder truck in town. Purchased for $164,000. The Ladder carried the Jaws and served as the "heavy rescue" unit in town.
The truck was rolled over on Nov 2, 2008 and was permanently out of service.

Provincetown Ladder 192. Provincetown borrowed the former Orleans Ladder 176 after the Ptown
Ladder was rolled over in 2008. The 1974 Maxim 1000 gpm 85' aerial served from early 2009 until the new Ladder 192 was delivered in late2009.

Provincetown Ladder 2 (192) - 2009 Ferarra Inferno - 1500gpm / 300 gallons / 77' Smeal aerial
ladder truck. It is equipped with a pre-piped water way. It carries the department Jaws of Life.
Serving 2009 to present.

Rescue Hook & Ladder No.1

NO PHOTO

Around 1859, Provincetown organized Rescue Hook & Ladder No.1.
Its original apparatus was an 1859 hand drawn hook & ladder built by B. A. Ellison in Wellfleet.
The original ladder company served until replaced c.1925.

Provincetown Ladder No.1 got a 1925 Ford Model T. It served from 1925 until approx 1942 when a replacement was approved, but apparently never purchased.
1948 article mentions Mack-Sennat Hook & Ladder being an ancient and amusing relic
that was relocated to the Johnson Street Station.

No.3

NO PHOTO

Provincetown Engine No.3 - "Mazeppa No.3" - 1854 Hunneman hand tub #517
Originally built in 1854 for Lowell, Mass (Mazappa No.10) delivered Aug.29, 1854.
Purchased used from Lowell, MA fire department for Provincetown in 1868
and renamed "Mazeppa No.3."
When it finished its duty in Ptown c. 1889(?) it was sold to Acushnet, Mass.

The 1889 Steamer J. D. Hilliard.

Provincetown Engine No.3 "J. D. Hilliard" - 1889 Amoskeag Size 3 Steam Engine
could pump 550 gpm. First, and only known, steam fire engine on Cape Cod.
Built in Manchester, NH, it weighed 6,000 lbs, was 24' long, 6' wide, and 8'10" high.

Provincetown Engine No.3 Steamer

Provincetown Hose Company 3 assigned to Engine No.3 Steamer.

Provincetown Engine No.3 - 1940 Ford/Maxim 500 gpm Pumper
would have replaced 1889 Steamer "Hilliard" ?
(May have been another piece from c.1925 to 1940 since another
reference talks of Hilliard's last fire as being in 1925.)
Served 1940 to 1968.

Provincetown Engine No.3 (192) - 1968 Chevy/Maxim 750/500 Pumper
would have replaced 1940 Ford/Maxim.
Served 1968 to 1993.

Provincetown Engine No.3 (193) - used 1975 Young 1250/500 Pumper.
Purchased by PTown in 1993 to replace 1968 Ford/Maxim.
Served 1993 to 2003.

Provincetown Engine 3 (193) - 2003 HME/Ferarra 1500/500 Pumper.
Replaced 1975 Young pumper.
Served 2003 to present.

No.4

NO PHOTO

Provincetown Engine No.4 - "Excelsior No.4"  - 1854 Hunneman #518"
Originally built for Lowell, Mass "Torrent No. 12" delivered Aug. 29, 1854.
Purchased used from Lowell Fire Dept - Arrived in Provincetown in 1868
Renamed "Excelsior No.4"
Served as Engine No.4 from 1868-1889
Later sold to Acushnet, Mass.

Provincetown Engine No.4 - "Excelsior Chemical & Hose No.4" - 1889 Chemical wagon
Company had a couple chemical (soda & acid) tanks. Replaced 1854 Hunneman.
Served from 1889, into possibly the 1930s! 
 

Provincetown Engine No.4 - 1936 American LaFrance 500 gpm pumper.
would have replaced 1889 chemical Excelsior No.4 (?)
1936 Engine 4 retired in 1976.
Was refurbished and put in service as antique for parades in c.2010.

Provincetown Engine No.4 (194) - 1976 International / Maxim front mount 1000 gpm / 500 gal
Pumper. Would have replaced 1936 American LaFrance pumper.
Served 1976 to 1997.

Provincetown Engine No.4 (194) - Used 1980 Mack MB 1000 gpm / 1000 gallon pumper, bought by Provincetown in 1997.
Replaced 1976 International / Maxim.
Served 1997 to 2006

Provincetown Engine No.4 (194) - 2006 HME / Ferarra 1500/500/30A/30B Pumnper.
Replaced 1980 Mack MB Pumper.
Served 2006 to present.

No.5

Provincetown organized "Tiger Engine No.5" in 1873. Tiger was a company of younger members (high school aged) used to train younger members.
The original "Tiger No.5" apparatus was the 1850 Hunneman of first "Franklin No.2"

Provincetown "Truck No.5" got what appears to have been the first Ptown
motorized apparatus. It was a 1918 Ford Model T/American LaFrance combination
which carried a chemical tank, hose, ladders, and extinguishers.
(originally believed "Truck 5" to have been a 1925 Ford Model T, but info suggests it was 1918)

Provincetown Engine 5 - 1945/1946 American LaFrance series 600
200 gpm / 500 gallons.
would have replaced 1918 Ford Model T / American LaFrance combination.
Served 1945 to 1976.

Provincetown Engine No.5 (195) - 1976 International / Maxim front mount 1000 gpm / 500 gallon
Pumper. Replaced 1946 American LaFrance.
Served 1976 to 2001.

Provincetown Engine 5 (195) - 2001 Freightliner / Ferarra 1250 gpm / 500 gallon Pumper.
Replaced 1976 International / Maxim.
Served 2001 to present.
 

No.6

Provincetown Engine No.6 - c.1950, Willy's Jeep with Maxim 500 gpm trailer served as Engine 6 from c.1950 into the 1970's. The pump trailer may have been made by Maxim, as they made many during WWII, probably 500 gpm.

Crash Truck 198 / 199

Provincetown Crash Truck 198 - 1996 AM General Hummer 4x4 / Fire  Attacker 300 gpm /200 gallon / 450 lbs PKP crash truck. Purchased on a grant to provide ARFF capability at small Provincetown Airport.
First ARFF unit in Ptown. Initially 198, reassigned as 199 c.2007. Served 1996 to about 2009 when it went out of service.

Crash Truck 199

Provincetown Aiport Crash Truck 199 - 2011 Rosenbauer Panther 1500, 4x4 Crash Truck,
1850 gpm, 1500 gallons, 200 AFFF, 500 lbs PKP.
Replaced 1996 Hummer.
Served 2011 to present.

Ambulances

A 1940's - 1950's Provincetown Ambulance.

Provincetown Van style ambulance in 1970's.

Several ambulances from 1970s to 2000's.

Provincetown ambulance c.1970s

Provincetown late 1970s and early 1980s ambulances.

Provincetown 1980s ambulance

Provincetown 1980s ambulance.

Rescue 196

Provincetown Ambulance Rescue 196 - 2000 Ford E450 / Life Line Type III Ambulance.
Replaced.....
Served 2000 to 2010?

Provincetown Ambulance 196 - 2010 Chevy / Osage Type III Ambulance.
Replaced 2000 Ford / Life Line.
Served 2010 to present.

Rescue 197

Provincetown Ambulance Rescue 197 - 2004 Ford / Life Line Type III.
Replaced 1993 Ambulance
Served 2004 -

Rescue 198

Provincetown Ambulance 198 - 2007 Ford / Osage Type III Ambulance
First 3rd ambulance - became 198 (former crash truck 198 became 199).
Served 2007 to present.

INCIDENTS HISTORY
 

Major Fires & Emergencies
 

1858 - summer - MULTI-STRUCTURE FIRE - Commercial Street
                           3 large buildings across from the old Massonic Hall / Union House on south side
                           of Commercial street totally destroyed by fire.  Old Union House / Massonic Hall
                           barely saved.

1858 -               - BOWEN FIRE - Commercial Street
                            Bowen fire, 6 buildings on Commercial Street, between land of Josiah F. Small &
                            land of  estate of Jesse Cook were destroyed.
 

1875 - Mar 4    - ADAMS HALL FIRE - Commercial Street
                            Large 2 story Adams Hall destroyed by fire during blizzard - engines were pulled
                            through 2-4 foot snow drifts. Saved exposures on all sides. (1875?) Corner of
                            Winthrop Street & Commercial St.
 

1877 - Feb 16   - TOWN HALL FIRE - Town Hill / High Pole Hill
                            Town Hall Fire  8:25 pm - Located on hill where Pilgrim Monument is today.
                            Town hall destroyed. Also housed the high school...school held at Congregational
                            church until new school built in 1880.
 

1886 -               - PURITAN SHIRT FACTORY FIRE -
                            Fire destroyed Puritan shirt factory owned by E.A. Buffinton of Leominster.
 

1908 - Mar 14   - CENTENARY CHURCH FIRE - 170 Commercial Street
                            Centenary Church spire 165' high struck by lightning at 1:55 am. Fire spread
                            through building and at about 3:00 am the steeple fell nearly killing a dozen
                            firemen. Buildings on both sides were spared by the firefighting efforts.

1927 - Nov 1    - PILGRIM COLD STORAGE FIRE - Commercial Street
                            Reported to be last fire the Steamer J. D. Hilliard battled. Hand hose Reel 4
                            came out of Court St fire house.
 

1930 - Mar 26    - GOVERNOR BRADFORD SCHOOL FIRE - Bradford St.
                             Gov. Bradford High School Fire - 2:00 am, 44 Bradford Street - total loss
                             Sparks with strong northwesterly wind spread fire to roofs of several
                             other buildings. The fire destroyed the school and one residence, and caused
                             damage to 20 other structures as far away as a quarters mile away. Fire trucks
                             came from Chatham, Orleans, and Harwich. A Hyannis engine responding with
                             10 men apparently crashed while responding injuring several. 
 

1949 - Jun 4       - ARNOLD FURNITURE FIRE - Commercial St.
                             Arnold Inc., Furniture store on Commercial Street, destroyed by major fire 2:30
                             pm, estimated 1 million gallons pumped. Building was originally the old school
                             house on Long Point, floated across the harbor. Fire burned for hours.
                             Fire chief Joseph E. Matta 1949

1956 - Apr 30    - CASTLE FIRE - Commercial St.
                             The Castle Fire, opposite the Provincetown Inn, Commercial Street. A large
                             Spanish style mansion, destroyed by 4:40 am multi-alarm fire.
                             Fire Chief Manuel White. 2400' of 2-1/2" and 3200' of 1-1/2" hose provided
                             12 hose streams. Building was up a steep hill.

1958 - Aug 7      - PEAKED HILL USCG STATION FIRE - Back shore dunes
                             Historic building - part of old Coast Guard station near Race Point.
                             Fire at 9:30 AM.  Fire Chief James J. Roderick

1961 - May 28    - MOORS NIGHTCLUB FIRE - West end
                              Moors Nightclub located near the breakwater in the far west end destroyed
                              in $70K loss fire.

1961 - Aug 24    - WOOD END LIFE SAVING STATION -
                             Old Wood End Coast Guard station intentionally burned down by authorities.
                             Built in 1896.

1962 - Jan 17     - SKLAROFF'S WHARF FIRE - Monument Dock
                             Large fire destroyed a building at the end of the wharf. Monument Fish Co,
                             9:30 AM. 10:45 AM second alarm. Truro and Wellfleet fire departments
                             assisted. Exposure to east was MacMillan Wharf.

1962 - Jul 26      - SALTWATER FISHERIES FIRE - MacMillan Wharf
                             Fire destroyed an addition to the building at the end of MacMillan Wharf.
                             Approx 1:10 PM.  Chief Wilbur Cook.
 

1973 - Dec 8      - MACARA'S WHARF FIRE
                             Macara's Wharf hit by 11:26 am fire. 100 foot long 2 story building on wharf
                             destroyed by fire. 2 firefighters injured and 6 treated for smoke inhalation.
                             Chief Russell Perry was out of town. Deputy Chief Joseph Trovato commanded
                             the fire. Wharf was located about 100 feet east of MacMillan Wharf

1977 -                 - ROYAL COACHMAN MOTEL FIRE - East End
                              Royal Coachman Motel, east end of Commercial street heavily damaged by fire.
 

1977 - Mar 25    - PROVINCETOWN PLAYHOUSE FIRE - Commercial St & Gosnold
                             Fire destroys Provincetown Playhouse on wharf near Crown & Anchor.
                             9:20 PM Friday night fire broke out. By 10:30 fire broke thru roof. 80 firemen
                             battled the fire. 5 engines operated. A north Truro engine came in on a 2nd alarm.
                             Fire Chief Wilbur Cook. The 3 story wooden structure was heavily damaged.
                             2 teenagers later charged with arson.
 

1978 -  Jan 1       - PIED PIPER LOUNGE FIRE - Commercial St.
                              1:58 AM Fire spreads from a unoccupied 2 story apartment house to the 1 story
                              Pied Piper Lounge at 199 Commercial St, next to the No.2 Engine house. 
                              High winds whipped the fire. Deputy Fire Chief Clement Silva. Fire appeared
                              to be arson.
                             
 

1978 - May 21     - PLANE CRASH - Race Point
                              Plane crash and fire in dunes near Race Point lighthouse kills 1.   
 

1978 - Nov 8       - ATLANTIC HOUSE FIRE - Commercial St.
                              Historic Atlantic House off Commercial street damaged by fire. Built in 1700's
                              the A-House fire appeared to have been started from a fire place in the 2-1/2
                              story wooden building. Not suspicious. Moderate damage $30K damage.
                              Fire rekindled about 14 hrs later.

1979 - Jun 23      - P-TOWN COMMUNITY CENTER - Bradford St
                              About $100K damage to community center yesterday morning, careless disposal.

1980 - Jan 31      - FRANKLIN STREET FIRE -
                              Last Sunday, early morning fire discovered on Franklin Street burned house
                              to the ground and damaged neighboring structures in the congested west end.
                             About 10 minutes later, a second fire did considerable damage to a cottage on
                              Kings Way. Both suspicious. 
 

1980 - Jun 15       - PLANE CRASH - Ocean off Provincetown
                               Plane crashes in ocean after takeoff from P-town. 4 killed. Cessna 210 single
                               engine. 3:50 PM.

1985 - Jul 4          - FRANKLIN STREET EXPLOSION -
                               House exploded killing 1 woman and injuring others 5:15 PM. Possibly gas
                               explosion, related to power outage at time. 34 Franklin St.

1989 - Oct 3         - RED INN RESTAURANT - Commercial St
                               Fire yesterday injured 2, appears suspicious. 2:30 AM

1990 - Aug 29      - PLANE CRASH - Cape Cod Bay
                               Cessna 152 single engine - 2 souls on board - tuna spotter - crash 8 mi SW
                               of Provincetown. Divers from across Cape responded to scene. 2 bodies
                               recovered Sept 16.

1990 - Oct 18       - STRUCTURE FIRES - Crown & Anchor
                                Two sheds destroyed in suspicious fire 2:00 AM behind Crown & Anchor,
                                Commercial St. Guests evacuated for about an hour.
 

1990 - Oct 29       - PILGRIM HOUSE FIRE - Commercial Street
                               The Pilgrim House, a 3 story hotel fully involved on arrival at 11:41 pm. 
                               Mutual aid from across the Cape in 4 alarm fire. 7 buildings damaged or
                               destroyed with 14 civilian and firefighters injured. Located in a block between
                               Commercial, Bradford, Freeman and Center Streets. Suspected arson.
                               12 left homeless.
 

1991 - Apr 17      - ATLANTIC HOUSE FIRE - Commercial Street
                               Fire damages Atlantic House again - see 1978. The 1:09 PM fire gutted a
                               2nd floor area and caused $100-$250K in damage. Several hours to control.
                               Assistance from Truro and Wellfleet FDs. Related to heater.

1992 - Jun 22       - PEPE'S WHARF RESTAURANT FIRE - 371 Commercial St.
                               Suspicious fire damaged deck at restaurant.

1992 - Aug 1        - FRANCO'S BY THE SEA FIRE - 429 Commercial St
                               2nd floor gutted by suspicious fire in restaurant. About 2:00 AM yesterday.
 

1993 - Aug 4        - PLANE CRASH - Coastal Acres Campground
                               Plane crashed into a campground off Bradford Street killing 2.
                               Piper Cherokee took off Provincetown Airport approx 10:45 AM.
                               Struck an RV.  No fire. required Jaws extrication.

1993 - Oct 12       - STRUCTURE FIRE - Mayflower Heights
                               2 story home destroyed by fire 12:09 PM.

1994 - Mar 31      - STRUCTURE FIRE - 273 Commercial St
                               2 story cottage heavily damaged 8:08 PM fire Tuesday. Suspicious.

1995 - Feb 9         - FAIRBANKS INN FIRE - 90-92 Bradford St.
                                10:30 PM fire Tuesday. 3 story - fire on 2nd and 3rd floors. Blames on
                                plumbers torch thawing pipes. Historic building.

1995 - Nov 18      - STRUCTURE FIRE - 7 Carnes Ave
                                Fire last night 9:45 PM killed dog and gutted a cottage. Not suspicious.
                              
 

1996 - Nov 14     - MAUSHOPE HOUSING FIRE - Harry Kemp Way
                              One woman was killed and dozens evacuated from Maushope elderly housing
                              complex off Harry Kemp Way at 2:30 AM 3 alarm fire. 3 story complex.
                              Mutual aid moved 100 fire fighters and 30 pieces of apparatus. A Level 2 MCI
                              with about 10 patients treated. 22 residents displaced. Multiple rescues made.
                              A 2nd victim, 69 year old man, died a few days later. That man had survived
                              a fire at his home in 1994 in Franklin St. Two additional victims passed away
                              making a total of 4 deaths.

1997 - Jan 26     - AIRCRAFT INCIDENT - Provincetown Airport
                             Cape Air Cessna 402C with 4 souls on board skidded off runway. 2:00 PM.
                             No injuries. 
 

1998 - Feb 10      - WHALER'S WHARF FIRE - Commercial St.
                               6:45 pm - Whaler's Wharf Fire.  5 Alarms with many special calls and extensive
                               mutual aid is one of largest fires in Cape history.  39 departments activated from
                               2 counties.  Large Whalers Wharf complex, Crown & Anchor Inn, Handcrafters, 
                               and Marine Specialties buildings destroyed. 

1998 - Apr 5         - MONTELLO STREET FIRE - 20 Montello St  Fatal
                                A 73 year old woman sustained burns in a fire at her home at 4:30 PM
                                yesterday. She was able to escape the house on her own, but her burns took
                                her life a few days later at a Boston hospital.

1998 - May 28      - AIRCRAFT INCIDENT - Provincetown Airport
                                A Cessna landed on its belly without landing gear at Provincetown Airport.
                                No injuries.

1998 - Oct 9          - PLANE CRASH - Ocean
                                7:30 PM crash of Grumman AA-5 with 1 man on board 2.5 miles west
                                of Provincetown airport. 1 Fatal.
 

1998 - Oct 19       - POST OFFICE CAFE - Commercial St.
                                Fire at Post Office Cafe & Caberet, 303 Commercial street 2:45 pm 2 alarms.

1998 - Nov 29      - AIRPLANE EMERGENCY -Provincetown Airport
                                A 2 passenger Canadian airplane made emergency landing at Provincetown
                                Airport when an engine failed. Enroute from Nova Scotia to New York.

2001 - Jan 2         - STRUCTURE FIRE - 758 Commercial St.
                               5:58 Am yesterday (1-1-01) house heavily damaged by fire. 9 hrs on scene.

2001 - Apr 13      - AIRCRAFT EMERGENCY - Provincetown Airport
                               Nantucket Air twin engine Cessna 402 emergency landing Provincetown
                               airport with 10 on board. Was enroute from Hyannis to Nantucket, had
                               loss of instruments after takeoff in heavy fog. Landed 6:15 PM
.

2002 - Mar 14      - STRUCTURE FIRE - 278 Commercial St
                               3 alarm fire at 280 Commercial street destroys house over commercial
                               occupancy at midnight.  Mutual aid from across Cape.
 

2002 - Jun 8         - WHALE WATCH BOAT - Roque Wave
                                A rogue wave struck the whale watcher vessel Dolphin VII injuring 22
                                passengers.

2002 - Jul 20        - STRUCTURE FIRE - Oppen Lane
                               A 2-1/2 story house under construction destroyed in 12:30 AM fire.

2002 - Jul 20        - AIRCRAFT INCIDENT - Provincetown Airport
                               Two people were uninjured when Beachcraft airplane skidded off end of
                               runway during landing 6:30 PM.

2003 - Sep 27       - AIRCRAFT INCIDENT - Provincetown Airport
                                A privately owned Cessna 320 twin engine ran off the end of the runway
                                on landing. 2 on board not injured yesterday.

2004 - Nov 28      - STRUCTURE FIRE - Fisherman's Wharf
                                A 24x36 building about half way down Fisherman's Wharf was heavily
                                damaged in a 2:30 AM fire.

2005 - Jan 26        - SAINT PETERS CHURCH FIRE - Prince Street
                                130 year old St Peter the Apostle Church was destroyed in a 6:30 AM fire
                                after a blizzard. Snow chest deep and strong winds made access difficult.
                                3 alarms brought help from across the Cape. The fire was battled for several
                                hours. The steeple collapsed.

2005 - Jul 4           - JULY 4 MELEE -
                                Near riot conditions broke out following Fireworks. 20 arrests.

2007 - Jun 30         - FISHING BOAT FIRE - MacMillan Pier
                                 59 foot "Ancora Praia" damaged in 8:25 AM fire yesterday at MacMillan
                                 pier. 50 year old vessel.

2007 - Oct 26        - FIRE FIGHTER EVICTION - Johnson St Fire House
                                A 22 year former Captain, Larry Flores, who had been living in the Johnson St
                                Station for several months after falling on "hard times" was evicted by the
                                Chief.  Flores had previously been fired from a town DPW job.

2007 - Nov 2         - 10 ARSON FIRES IN 2 WEEKS
                                 Fires included a grass fire on Oct 17, a dumpster fire at 81 Province Lands
                                 Road on Oct 23, a trash can fire at West Vine & Commercial on Oct 23, a
                                 fire inside a house under construction at 98 Bayberry Ave on Oct 26, a fire
                                 on the outside of a building at 81 Commercial on Oct 26, fire in a house
                                 at 2 Commercial St early on Oct 31, a house fire at 473 Commercial St at
                                 7:00 PM on Oct 31, followed by a fire at 10 Bradford St at 9:18 PM.

2007 - Nov 3          - STRUCTURE FIRE - Oppen Lane
                                 A house under construction on Oppen Lane was heavily damaged by
                                 a fire that appeared to have started on the outside of the house around 6:30 PM.
                                 Firefighters making entry were nearly killed when a piano fell thru the second
                                 floor nearly hitting 2 of them. The latest in a series of arson fires has the
                                 community on edge and rewards are offered .

2007 - Nov 28        - STRUCTURE FIRE - 781 Commercial St
                                  A house at 781 (777) Commercial Street was damaged in a 7:30 PM fire.
                                  last night. Fire also suspicious.

2008 - Mar 5           - STRUCTURE FIRE - 313 Bradford St.
                                  A shed was destroyed in a 4:32 PM fire behind 313 Bradford St.
                                  Suspicious.

2010 - Jul 22           - BOAT FIRE - Off Provincetown
                                   11:43 AM - 3 rescued from motor boat 6 miles off Provincetown.
                                   Boat fully involved. USCG rescued 3 from the water.

2011 - Sep 1            - PLANE CRASH - Provincetown Airport
                                   A plane crashed about 11:00 PM near the Provincetown Airport after
                                   take off. Pilot killed, 1 injured. Plane burned. Piper PA-28 crashed into
                                   woods off end of runway.

2012 - Jun 26           - PLANE CRASH - Provincetown
                                   A single engine Piper with 3 on board crashed into the marsh at Hatches
                                   Harbor about 1 mile short of the Provincetown Airport about 10 PM.
                                   No injuries.
                                
                                

NAMES PERSONNEL HISTORY
 

Anthony, Robert.................P-Town Police Chief. Retired Oct 2001

Barnett, James H................P-Town Fire Department, Fire Chief c.1928. Died 1933. Replaced by
                                           T. Julian Lewis.

Bragdon, David.................P-Town - 65 year old care taker of Whaler's Wharf on night on the
                                          February 10, 1998 fire. Committed suicide in weeks following fire.

Callis, Sidney MD.............Barnstable County Medical Examiner. 1990s.

Hilliard, John D.................P-Town Fire Department, Fire Chief May 7, 1872 - 1897 (25 yrs)

Holmes, George H.............P-Town Fire Department, Fire Chief succeeded Chief Hilliard c.1897
                                           Served 7 years.

Lewis, T. Julian.................P-Town Fire Department, Fire Chief 1933-1947. Joined PFD at age 14
                                           with the "boys company" (Tiger Co) c.1881. Became Capt of old E1
                                           then E4 in 1888. Appointed to BOE in 1904. Became chief in 1933.
                                           Served total 66 years retiring at end of 1947. Resigned because he was
                                           "getting pretty old" at age 80.

Loring, E. G.......................P-Town Fire Department, first Chief c.1859.

Martinez, Elias..................P-Town Fire Department, 21 year old driver, over turned Ladder
                                          truck on road test Nov 2008.

Matta, Joseph E.................P-Town Fire Department, Fire Chief c.1949

Meads, James F.................P-Town Fire Department, Fire Chief 1983-1991

Meads, James J.................P-Town Police Chief

Oliver, Franklin.................P-Town Fire Department, District 4 Chief - LODD 1982

Rogers, William N............P-Town Police Chief in 1956

Smith, Eben S...................P-Town Fire Department, second fire chief relieved E.G. Loring.

Trovato, Michael...............P-Town Fire Department, Fire Chief Jan 1991, former Deputy and
                                          District Chief.

Trumbo, Douglas..............P-Town Fire Department, joined 1976, paramedic in 1983. Full time
                                          Lower Cape Ambulance medic 1985. Passed away in Oct 1996 at
                                          age 45 from Lou Gehrig's disease.

White, Manuel...................P-Town Fire Chief in c1956