A
Short History of the Fire Department of Springfield, Ma.
by
Stanislaus Skarzynski
Ever since the fledging settlement of Springfield had been burned down by enemy action during King Phillips War in the Seventeenth century, the settlers had been very conscious of the need for some sort of fire protection. However, technology and finances limited efforts to the bucket - brigade and fire warden sort of approach until, by private subscription, the leading citizens of the town purchased a tawny yellow, hand drawn pump which they named "The Lion" in 1792. On January 17, 1794, these same citizens formed a "fire club" agreeing "to associate together as a fire company, and do hereby pledge our faith to each other, to use every lawful exertion to preserve life and property of each other from destruction by fire...." and thus the first incarnation of the Springfield Fire Department, which continues to exert itself to preserve life and property from destruction by fire, was born.
The system of a volunteer department, supplemented by mutual aid from the Federal Armory located in town, continued to serve the community well. However, the introduction of new technology, in this case horse drawn steamers (1862), and the growth of the town into a city (1852) called for a different organization, and in 1872 a paid department was established.
This was a period of great advancement for the department, as it was able to cooperate with the many insurance companies located in the city (most notably, the companies that later became Massachusetts Mutual) in developing new tactics and approaches to control fire. Included were the establishment of a central telegraph alarm system, the establishment of a gravity-fed, reservoir supplied water system that feeds the city through 48" mains. This system still is in use and it is not unusual to get a static pressure of 150 psi at some hydrants in the downtown area. Also, in 1913, Springfield became the first municipal department to become completely motorized, using Knox fire engines which were manufactured in the city. It was also a period of great challenge as there were several large fires during this period, including one which burned down most of the central business district in the late 1870's.
In 1936, the Springfield Association of Firefighters was formed and became Local 648 of the International Association of Firefighters, amidst consternation by the city's power elite that the community would soon be held hostage by striking firefighters. However, despite various serious issues over the years, the firefighters have never neglected their duty to the community. In the 1970's, a declining industrial base and a chaotic social environment led to a period of intense fire activity for the department. Later in the decade, and continuing until the mid 1980's, the department also ran the city ambulance until giving it up to a private contractor. In response to growing concerns about the environment and the number of business in the city with hazardous chemicals in their inventory, a Hazardous Materials Response team was formally organized in 1985. This team has since responded to several notable incidents, such as a three day fire at a warehouse containing tons of calcium hypochorate, which necessitated the evacuation of over 30,000 people several times, and a 2 a.m. collision on a highway running through downtown between a drunken driver and a truck hauling nuclear fuel rods.
Today, the department continues to provide service and protection to the city with a strength of 385 , 6 ladders, 12 engines, 2 district chiefs, 1 rescue squad, 1 hazardous materials unit, 1 brush wagon. Engine companies usually are manned by three firefighters and an officer, ladder companies have an officer and two firefighters, the Rescue Squad has and officer and four firefighters and each district chief has an aide.