Springfield Fire Department

The Springfield Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the city of Springfield, Massachusetts. The department is one of the oldest established fire departments in the United States.[3]

Springfield Fire Department

Operational area
Country	United States
State	Massachusetts
City	Springfield
Agency overview[1]
Established	January 17, 1794
Annual calls	16,053 (2018)
Employees	272 (2019)
Annual budget	$23,149,354 (2012)
Staffing	Career
Commissioner	Bernard J. Calvi
IAFF	648
Facilities and equipment[2]
Battalions	2
Stations	8
Engines	8
Trucks	4
Rescues	1
HAZMAT	1
Wildland	1
Website
Official website
IAFF website

History

In the 1670s, Springfield was burned to the ground during the King Philip's War. As a result, the settlers started to focus on the need for fire protection. Technology of the time limited this protection to a simple bucket brigade.[3] On January 17, 1794 citizens formed a volunteer fire club that agreed to "preserve the lives and property of each other from destruction by fire". This was the start of what would become the Springfield Fire department and makes it one of the oldest established fire departments in the country.[3]

This volunteer department was supplemented by aid from the Springfield Armory until the late 1800s. In 1852 the town was incorporated into a city and this called for a new fire organization.[3] Years later in 1872, the department transitioned to an all paid department. This transition brought about the establishment of a central telegraph alarm system and the creation of a gravity-fed, reservoir water system which is still in use. In 1913, the Department became one of the first municipal department in the country to be completely motorized, using Knox fire engines manufactured in Springfield.[3]

Stations and apparatus

The Springfield Fire Department operates out of 8 fire stations.[2]

Fire Station Number	Address	Engine Company	Truck Company	Special Unit	District Chief Unit
1	605 Worthington St (HQ)	Engine 1	Truck 1	Tac 1(Haz-Mat Unit) , Rescue Boat
3	382 White St	Engine 3	Truck 3	Med 3	District Chief 2
5	15 Odessa St.	Engine 5 (Quint)
8	33 Eastern Ave	Engine 8	Truck 2	Rescue 1
4	1212 Carew St	Engine 4	Truck 4	Arson/Bomb Squad Unit	District Chief 1
7	2729 Main St	Engine 7		Rescue Boat
2	1265 Parker St	Engine 2		Brush 1
6	14 Massreco St	Engine 6

Disbanded Fire Companies

Throughout the history of the Springfield Fire Department, several fire companies have been disbanded.

• Engine 2 - 14 Massreco St.
• Engine 4
• Engine 6 - 25 Mill St.
• Engine 7 - 605 Worthington St.
• Engine 11
• Engine 13 - 157 Pine St.
• Engine 14 - 1045 Sumner Ave.
• Engine 15 - 833 Page Blvd.
• Ladder 5 - 15 Odessa St.
• Ladder 10 - 2729 Main St.
• Ladder 12 - 1265 Parker St.

References

1. "Fiscal year 2014 Budget" (PDF). Retrieved 1 April 2015.
2. "Firehouse Locations". Springfield Fire Department. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
3. "History". Springfield Fire Department. Retrieved 2 April 2015.