|
|
|||
|
Give Something Back to Your Community Become a Southwick
Firefighter or Emergency Medical Technician Call (413) 569-6363 |
Our History
Click Patch for Former Apparatus Pictures For many years after Southwick
became a town it did not have fire fighting equipment or ambulance service. When
a fire occurred, people in the neighborhood formed a bucket brigade from the
nearest water supply. They did their best to put the fire out before it got
out of control, but most of the time the building burned to the ground. When
a medical emergency would arise, an ambulance was summoned from another town
to respond for emergency aid and transport. Often, treatment was delayed due
to the travel time required. Forest fires were also a problem. Generally, before being
spotted, fires would have burned a large area. Fires were fought by men of
the neighborhood; their equipment was a shovel or a rake. In the early 1900’s the first organization of fire fighting
came into being. Forest fire wardens were appointed in most outlying areas of
the town. Mr. Benjamin Hastings was head warden. When a fire occurred in an
area, the warden would mobilize a group of men to help fight the fire. Each warden was issued a few hand pumps, these being his
only fire fighting equipment. Mr. Hastings had a horse drawn express wagon on
which he used to carry a few hand pump cans and shovels. Many times he would
be seen going to a fire as fast as his horse could run. In 1919 the town purchased its first piece of motorized
fire fighting equipment. A 1919 Reo Chemical truck was put into service and
used until 1937. In 1929 the town voted to purchase a new pumper, which was
delivered in the spring of 1930. The 1919 Reo Chemical truck and the 1930
Roe-Buffalo Pumper were Southwick’s first pieces of fire fighting equipment.
The organization of the Southwick Fire Department took
place in early 1930. Mr. Benjamin Hastings was appointed Chief by the Board
of Selectmen. There were 20 men who made up the roster of the first organized
fire-fighting group. The credit for the training of the men and the success
of the fire department belongs to Chief Benjamin Hastings. Through his
efforts, the fire department became an important unit in the town. In January 1934 the death of Benjamin Hastings was a great
loss to the Town of Southwick. His son Warren had worked closely with his
father in the fire department and carried on the leadership until May of 1934
when he was elected Chief by the Board of Fire Engineers. The department at
that time had a roster of 25 men. In 1937 the old Reo Chemical was replaced by a 1932 Model B
Ford, which was built by the men of the department. They acquired the chassis
from the highway department and installed a tank, pump, and all necessary
equipment for the forest fire fighting. This truck was used until 1962 when
it was replaced by a Dodge Power Wagon. During the years of World War II the department was faced
with a man power shortage. This situation was greatly overcome by recruiting
older men on a temporary program, and through the leadership of Chief Warren
Hastings; the fire department was able to meet all emergencies. In 1948 the Selectmen purchased a Ford-John Bean
high-pressure fire-fighting unit. The addition of this new fire fighter
brought on a new technique in fire fighting, as well as a reorganization of
the department. A new five member Board of Fire Engineers was appointed.
These men were not members of the Fire Department. Later this board was
changed to a three-man board. New officers were also appointed under the
direction of Chief Hastings. The membership was increased to 35 men and a new
training program was adopted. Through this reorganization and with the help of the
Firemen’s Association, the Fire Department made great strides forward. The
Association equipped the department with 2-way radios, purchased uniforms for
the men, inaugurated the ambulance service with the town’s first ambulance, a
1940 LaSalle and conducted many civic functions. In 1955 a new Mack Pumper was purchased. The addition of
this truck brought the standards of the department up to Underwriter
requirements. In 1960 Chief Hastings retired and was honored at a
testimonial for his years as a member and Chief of the Fire Department. A
considerable amount of progress had been made under his leadership. First
Deputy Elbert Hollister was appointed Chief, receiving his Chief’s badge at
this testimonial. Chief Hollister being a charter member of the department
and familiar with department operations assumed his duties as Chief
graciously. Under the leadership of Chief Elbert Hollister the
department’s roster grew to over 40 members. The acquisition of a 1971
International Pumper proved to be a valuable asset. They were now a
well-trained and equipped fire department that maintained a very low fire
loss.
The Southwick Fire Department had undergone many changes
since its inception. Along with the added responsibility of running an
ambulance service, came the requirements by the Commonwealth to staff
certified Emergency Medical Technicians. Two long time members, Clyde Jones
and Melbert Johnson stepped forward to become Southwick’s first certified
EMT’s. Chief Hollister retired in 1975 with the comfort of knowing
that the town he served for so long would be in good hands. Melbert Johnson
assumed the duties of Chief of the department sworn to protect the lives of
more than 7,000 residents. With the construction of a new generation of larger
residential dwellings than the previous years, so the need for larger more
versatile equipment arose. In the years to follow, the town voted to purchase
a new 1979 Ford Pumper, a 1982 –3,000 gallon Emergency One Tanker, for use
where hydrants are unavailable, and a state of the art 1991 Pierce Ladder
truck. Through the generosity of town residents, the Firemen’s Association
was able to raise funds to donate a new rescue vehicle and ambulance all in
the same year. When Chief Johnson retired in 1991, he left behind an
impressive arsenal of fire and rescue apparatus. The Fire Department was a
well-armed organization ready to meet the challenges of the future. Deputy
Don Morris was appointed Chief by the five man Board of Fire Engineers that
same year. In 1998, 958 burning permits were issued and fire fighters
responded to 159 fire calls. The men and women of the fire department are
highly dedicated individuals, well trained throughout the year to remain
current in the latest fire fighting tactics. The Fire Department Ambulance
responded to 479 calls for help during 1998. The 24 Emergency Medical
Technicians that comprise the Ambulance service endure constant training
throughout the year to remain current in the latest pre-hospital medical
care. |
||
|
|
In Memory
of Retired
Chief Melbert K. Johnson 1930-2007
Copyright © 2009-2010 Southwick Fire
Department |
|
|
