Springfield Fire Department
 | |
| Operational area | |
|---|---|
| Country |
 United States |
| State |
 Massachusetts |
| City | Springfield |
| Agency overview[1] | |
| Established | January 17, 1794 |
| Annual calls | 15,953 (2012) |
| Employees | 225 (2012) |
| Annual budget | $19,149,354 (2012) |
| Staffing | Career |
| Commissioner | Joseph A. Conant |
| 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 | |
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]
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]
| Address | Engine | Ladder | Special | Command | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 605 Worthington St | Engine 1 | Ladder 1 | [4] | ||
| 3 | 382 White St | Engine 3 | Ladder 3 | District Chief 2 | [5] | |
| 5 | 15 Odessa St. | Engine 5 (Quint) | [6] | |||
| 8 | 33 Eastern Ave | Engine 8 | Ladder 8 | Rescue 1, Special Hazards Unit | [7] | |
| 9 | 1212 Carew St | Engine 9 | Ladder 9 | Arson/Bomb Squad Unit | District Chief 1 | [8] |
| 10 | 2729 Main St | Engine 10 | [9] | |||
| 12 | 1265 Parker St | Engine 12 | Brush 1 | [10] | ||
| 16 | 14 Massreco St | Engine 16 | [11] |
References
- ↑ "Fiscal year 2014 Budget" (PDF). Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- 1 2 "Firehouse Locations". Springfield Fire Department. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "History". Springfield Fire Department. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
- ↑ "Station 1". IAFF Local 648. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ↑ "Station 3". IAFF Local 648. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ↑ "Station 5". IAFF Local 648. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ↑ "Station 8". IAFF Local 648. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ↑ "Station 9". IAFF Local 648. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ↑ "Station 10". IAFF Local 648. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ↑ "Station 12". IAFF Local 648. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ↑ "Station 16". IAFF Local 648. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
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