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Dedham Fire Department

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Dedham Fire Department
Operational area
CountryUS
State Massachusetts
Town Dedham
Agency overview
Established1858 (1858)
Employees68 (2023)
Annual budget$7,925,821 (2023)
StaffingCareer
Fire chiefWilliam F. Spillane
IAFF1735
Facilities and equipment
Stations2
Engines3
Website
Official website
IAFF website

The Dedham Fire Department is the fire department for Dedham, Massachusetts.

History

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Early history

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A vote of Town Meeting to purchase a bell for the meetinghouse was made in 1648,[1] but a bell was not hung until February 1652.[2] The bell was rung not only to alert residents of a fire, but also to announce the start of public meetings, to announce a death, and to signal the start of church services.[3]

In the 1600s, each resident was cautioned to keep a ladder handy in case he may need to put out a fire on his thatched roof or climb out of harm's way should there be an attack from the Indians. It was also decreed that if any man should tie his horse to the ladder against the meetinghouse then he would be fined sixpence.[4]

In 1796, a new company was charted by the General Court granting Calvin Whiting the right to deliver water from Federal Hill to houses in the High Street and Franklin Square areas using hollowed out pine logs.[5] The water cost $5 a year and was transported to homes in pipes made of hollow pine logs.[6] The flow was not sufficient to bring it into the second story of a house, or to put out a fire.[6]

Connecticut Corner

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The firehouse on Westfield Street.

A fire truck made by Paul Revere was purchased by a group of citizens and donated to the Town in 1800 as "a public utility and a very great security against the calamities of fire."[7][5] It was known as Hero No. 1.[7][5][8] It was stationed at the Connecticut Corner firehouse.[5]

A firehouse was constructed on Westfield Street, near High Street, in 1906.[9][10] The lower level had horse stalls, a stable room, a hose wagon, and engine room, and an opening to the paddock in the rear.[10] The second story had a sleeping room, a company room, a lavatory, a bath, and a hay and grain room.[10] The building housed horse drawn steamer engines.[10] It went out of service sometime in the 20th century, but still exists as a private residence.[9][10]

Central village

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The original Water Witch and its engine house which stood on Washington Street near School Street.

A second hand tub, the Good Intent No. 2, was purchased in 1802 and stationed in the central village.[11][8] The third engine, the Enterprise, was purchased in 1826 for the central village.[8] In 1831, Town Meeting purchased eight more engines, including the Niagara and Water Witch, for the central village.[12] The Water Witch's engine house stood on Washington Street, near School Street.[13]

The central fire house was built at the corner of Washington and Bryant Streets.[10] It housed Steamer Number 1, Hose Number 1, and Hook and Ladder Number 1.[10] Both Hose Number 1, which carried 1,000' of hose, and Hook and Ladder Number 1, were drawn by two horses.[10]

East Dedham

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A firehouse in East Dedham was constructed in 1846 on Milton Street near the Old Stone Mill.[14][a] It was used until 1897, when the firehouse on Bussey Street was constructed.[14] Hose Number 3[b] was purchased by the town for the Milton Street station in 1891 and then moved to the Bussey Street location.[14] That building also housed a supply wagon.[14]

Hurricane Carol knocked down the East Dedham firehouse's 80-foot bell tower on August 31, 1954.[15] It flew across the station and landed on 219 Bussey St, the house next door, where Maria Guerriero was feeding her one-year-old son, Joseph.[15] It also crushed three cars parked on Bussey St.[15]

On the first Sunday of December, a truck from the East Dedham station brings Santa Claus to the Civitarese-Cushman House for the lighting of their annual Christmas light display.[16]

Modernization

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In the early days of fire services in Dedham, each engine had its own company of men attached to it and keen was the rivalry existing between the organizations.[12] The Norfolk House was often selected for the annual meetings and dinners of the different companies.[12]

In 1858, the Fire Department was first organized.[17] The first steam engine was purchased in 1872.[18][17] The Dedham Water Company was founded in 1882, and provided hydrants for firefighters to use.[17] Prior to their introduction, those attempting to put out fires were dependent upon private wells, small town reservoirs scattered around town, and streams and rivers.[17]

Starting in 1905, the Dedham Fireman's Relief Association starting hosting an annual fundraiser at Memorial Hall to benefit firefighters who were injured or killed in the line of duty.[19][c] The first professional fire chief was appointed in 1920.[20] Prior to that there was a four-member Board of Fire Engineers who had charge over fires.[20]

Chief Henry J. Harrigan oversaw the changeover from horse-drawn apparatus to motorized trucks in 1919.[21] Firefighters began wearing uniforms in 1906.[14]

As of 2016, the department still used a telegraph system to report instances of fire.[22] Each of the several fire alarm call boxes has a unique number associated with it and the department may sound a horn to announce the location of the fire, or other information.[22] If the horn sounds box 2-2-2-2, that means the Dedham Public Schools have been canceled due to snow.[22]

Modern stations

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Today, the department has two stations: one in Dedham Square and one in East Dedham.

Public Safety Building

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After most of the Town's administrative offices move into the Ames Schoolhouse, the town hall was demolished and a combined public safety building for both the Dedham Police Department and Fire Department was built.

On March 5, 2021, a ceremonial groundbreaking took place for the new building.[23] The new building at 26 Bryant Street was opened for the first time on March 12, 2023.[24] The public was invited to take tours following the ribbon cutting.[24]

Inside the statue of William B. Gould are three photos of the ribbon cutting of the Public Safety Building.[25][d]

Notable fires

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1800s

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  • October 30, 1832 – A fire broke out in the stables of what would become the Phoenix hotel and destroyed both.[26]
  • January 7, 1834 – There was another fire in the stables at the Phoenix Hotel.[27]
  • Dedham station burned down in 1837, destroying a great deal of rolling stock in the process, and necessitating a temporary return to horses instead of steam engines.[28]
  • A second fire at Dedham station occurred in 1849, leaving only the walls standing.[29]
  • January 7, 1850 – A third fire broke out at the Phoenix Hotel.[30]
  • December 25, 1880 – The final fire destroyed the Phoenix Hotel.[26][31][32][17]

1900s

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2000s

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  • Following a 2015 fire on Harding Terrace, two more members of the department, Lieutenant William Walsh and Firefighter Jared Blaney, were awarded the Harrigan Medal of Honor.[41]

Chiefs

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Henry J. Harrigan Medal of Honor

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In 1994, a difficult fire broke out on Rockland Street. A woman was trapped inside, and was rescued by members of Engine Company 3. The Henry J. Harrigan Medal of Honor was established to honor the members of the engine company for their bravery.[40] The medal was awarded for a second time in 2015 to Lieutenant William Walsh and Firefighter Jared Blaney for "going above and beyond the call of duty and putting themselves at extreme risk" by entering a burning building on Harding Terrace to save a victim trapped inside.[41]

A plaque was unveiled in Harrigan's honor outside the main firehouse on October 18, 2015, the 75th anniversary of his death, in a ceremony organized by Deputy Chief John Fontaine.[48][39][21][49][i]

Both Harrigan and Joseph C. Nagle, who pulled Harrigan from the blaze, were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.[39][21][49] Harrigan's granddaughter, Joan Sullivan Gray, accepted the award on his behalf.[48][21] Nagle's daughter, Ellen Rea, accepted the award on his behalf.[21] The ceremony was attended by three former fire chiefs, several retired members of the department, as well as six selectmen, a state senator, a state representative, and the assistant town manager.[21]

Notes

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  1. ^ a statue of William B. Gould is now on the site.
  2. ^ Hose No. 3, which had 300' of house, was built by J.V. Fell, J. Wally & Brother, and J. Lynas.[14]
  3. ^ The fundraisers continued for at least 8 years.[19]
  4. ^ The first photo shows Deputy Police Chief Mike Buckley, State Representative Paul McMurtry, Select board member Erin Boles Welch, Select board member Kevin Coughlin, Select board member Dennis Teehan Jr., Select board member Dimitria Sullivan, Joe Albanese from Commodore Builders, retired firefighter John Brown. The second shows retired firefighter John Brown, James MacDonald, Select board member Jim MacDonald, retired Fire Chief Jim Driscoll, retired firefighter Artie Kirohn, retired firefighter Kenny Pike, retired Deputy Fire Chief John Fontaine, retired firefighter Bob Reissfelder, and retired firefighter Al Romanish. The third shows retired Deputy Fire Chief John Fontaine, retired firefighter Bob Reissfelder, retired firefighter Al Romanish, former Select board member Mike Butler, Town Manager Leon Goodwin, Planning board member Jessica Porter, Building, Planning, and Construction Committee chairman Jim Sullivan, Police Chief Mike D’Entremont, Fire Chief Bill Spilanne, Assistant Town Manager Nancy Baker, retired Police Chief Dennis Teehan Sr., Business Manager for the Police Department Karen Camerano.[25]
  5. ^ Harrington was chief by 1913.[19]
  6. ^ Driscoll became lieutenant in 1978 and was named Acting Fire Chief in 2001.[46]
  7. ^ Cullinane joined the Department in September 1978. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1997, deputy chief in 1999, and chief in the summer of 2009.[46]
  8. ^ Spillane joined the department in 1984 and was promoted to lieutenant in 1999.[46] He was appointed Acting Chief on Aug. 13, 2012 and sworn in as the permanent chief on December 29, 2014.[47]
  9. ^ Fontaine credited his wife, Mary, with doing much of the research.[21]

References

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  1. ^ Hanson 1976, p. 44.
  2. ^ Hanson 1976, p. 50.
  3. ^ Hanson 1976, p. 64.
  4. ^ Abbott 1903, pp. 290–297.
  5. ^ a b c d Hanson 1976, p. 195.
  6. ^ a b Warren 1931, p. 318.
  7. ^ a b Bryant, David (September 17, 2020). "East Dedham Fire House". Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c Austin 1912, p. 18-19.
  9. ^ a b @DedhamFire (November 8, 2018). "#TBT In the 1800's the area of High at Westfield St. was known as Connecticut Corner and was the center of business activity in Dedham. This station was built in 1906 on Westfield St. and still exists today as a private residence" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h Dedham Historical Society 2001, p. 16.
  11. ^ Hanson 1976, p. 195-196.
  12. ^ a b c Austin 1912, p. 19.
  13. ^ Parr, James (December 8, 2024). "Exploring Dedham's Fire & Police History". Dedham Tales. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Dedham Historical Society 2001, p. 15.
  15. ^ a b c East Dedham Firehouse, Dedham Historical Society Archives, May 13, 2017
  16. ^ MacDonald, Sarah (December 1, 2003). "Tradition Lives". The Daily News Transcript. p. 1.
  17. ^ a b c d e Dedham Tercentenary Committee 1936, p. 36.
  18. ^ Hanson 1976, p. 245.
  19. ^ a b c "Dedham Firemen to Give Dance". The Boston Globe. November 19, 1913. p. 5.
  20. ^ a b "States Dedham has no fire engineers". The Boston Globe. April 23, 1923. p. 7. Retrieved November 20, 2019 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h Angiolillo, Paul (October 21, 2015). "Firefighters and family unveil plaque to Henry Harrigan". The Dedham Transcript. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  22. ^ a b c Herwick III, Edgar B. (May 19, 2016). "The 19th Century Technology Powering New England's 21st Century Fire Departments". WGBH. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  23. ^ Heald, Scott (March 12, 2021). "Ground broken on Public Safety Building". The Dedham Times. Vol. 29, no. 10. p. 1.
  24. ^ a b Parr, Jim (March 11, 2023). "Where in Dedham? The Dedham Police Station". Dedham Tales. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  25. ^ a b "List of items in the William B. Gould time capsule". The Dedham Times. April 21, 2023.
  26. ^ a b Cook 1918, p. 128.
  27. ^ Hanson 1976, p. 223.
  28. ^ Hanson 1976, p. 228.
  29. ^ Clarke 1903, p. 17.
  30. ^ Hanson 1976, p. 225.
  31. ^ Hanson 1976, p. 226.
  32. ^ Parr 2009.
  33. ^ a b Parr, Jim (July 2, 2023). "Circle the Wagons! (Repost from 2010)". Dedham Tales. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  34. ^ "History". The Endicott Estate. Archived from the original on December 8, 2006. Retrieved December 15, 2006.
  35. ^ Robert Hanson (1999). "Stories Behind the Pictures in the Images of America: Dedham Book". Dedham Historical Society Newsletter (December). Archived from the original on December 31, 2006.
  36. ^ "Police at Last Have a Description of the Man Responsible for North End Fires – Incendiaries Destroy Ashcroft Station". Boston Evening Transcript. Boston, Massachusetts. 1 May 1905. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ Parr 2009, p. 22.
  38. ^ "Ashcroft rail station destroyed by firebug". Boston Globe. June 30, 1937. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ a b c "Town to Honor Former Fire Chief at Ceremony This Sunday". The Dedham Times. October 16, 2015. p. 1.
  40. ^ a b Bowen, Max (December 31, 2015). "Dedham's top stories of 2015". The Dedham Transcript. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  41. ^ a b c d Seltz, Johanna (December 31, 2015). "Two Dedham firefighters presented with medal for bravery". Boston Globe. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  42. ^ a b Smith 1936, p. 404.
  43. ^ History and directory of Dedham, Mass. for 1889 : containing a complete resident, street and business directory ... ; Census of Massachusetts and a history of the town from the first settlement to the present time. Needham MA: A.E. Foss & Co. 1899. p. 72.
  44. ^ "JOHN "JACK" DONOVAN". Legacy.com. January 8, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  45. ^ Parr 2009, p. 103.
  46. ^ a b c d e f Heald, Scott (April 19, 2024). "Retired Fire Chief Bill Cullinane was dedicated to family and duty". The Dedham Times. Vol. 32, no. 16. p. 1.
  47. ^ a b "William Spillane named new Dedham Fire Chief". Wicked Local. January 5, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  48. ^ a b Bowen, Max (October 8, 2015). "Dedham Fire Chief to be memorialized for sacrifice". Wicked Local. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  49. ^ a b Heald, Scott (October 23, 2015). "Fire Department Unveils Plaque Honoring Chief Harrigan". The Dedham Times.

Works cited

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