In the earlier years, 1922-27

Written by Administrator | 05 March 2010

A disastrous fire in April 1922 completely destroyed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Albert H. Christie on 253 Daniels Farm Road. This incident was the key in organizing a fire company.

 
Mr. Charles F. Ensign requested that the members of the Trumbull Development Society meet in the basement of the Nichols Memorial Library, and from this meeting the Trumbull Fire Company was later formed with its first official meeting being held on January 2, 1923. Mr. Ensign was nominated chairman with the following officers being elected: Chief- Charles S. Shepherd; Assistant Chief- Charles Kurtz; Secretary- Wycliffe Brown; Treasurer- Burr Beach.

With a charter membership of 47 men, the Company had a busy first year. Using Mr. Bailey's Hall as a meeting place, new members were solicited, a committee was formed to set up by-laws, and extra meetings were held to look into purchasing a fire apparatus. Mr. Kurtz's offer was accepted to house the fire apparatus in his grain store until a suitable location was found. In September 1923 a Model-T Ford with a 40-gallon chemical tank was ordered.  The response of the community was overwhelming as prior to the delivery of the apparatus donations were received from various organizations which included the Trumbull Development Society, the Community Club of Trumbull Center, and the Trumbull Grange No. 134.

In late November of the same year the apparatus was delivered and housed in the grain store. L. William Bearsley, an Assistant Chief of the Bridgeport Fire Company, made a donation for upkeep of the chemical apparatus. He had on previous occasions given talks on fire and firefighting techniques to the Trumbull volunteers.

For the next several years the men in the Fire Company were very active. The membership grew to 130 men. A donated stove was installed in the grain store. The Daniels Farm Development also joined the Trumbull Fire District. A telephone was also later installed in the grain store setting up the first fire communications by the Company. A committee was organized to locate a site for a permanent firehouse. Mr. Charles P. Noyes made a donation of $500 toward a new firehouse with Charles F. Ensign donating a parcel of land to the Fire Company on White Plains Road.

On August 25, 1925, the Fire Company voted to incorporate as the Trumbull Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Inc. All new fire company holdings were voted over to the newly formed company, and the by-laws were adopted. In 1926 the old White Plains schoolhouse was given to the Fire Company by the Town. This schoolhouse was moved to the White Plains Road property by the firemen, and a garage was added to this structure for the apparatus. On September 13, 1927, the apparatus was moved into its new quarters. A siren was later added to sound fire alarms.

With a permanent firehouse, the need for its upkeep and the maintenance of the apparatus was evident. The Fire Company held dances, card parties, and yearly carnivals as the main sources of revenue. Supplementary income through donations of time, money and gifts was made by the members of the Company, organizations within the fire district, and individuals from the community itself. One of our main supporters was Ida G. S. Plumb. A plaque was added to the firehouse honoring Ida G. S. Plumb, Charles F. Ensign, and Charles P. Noyes for their outstanding contributions.

Another organization whose help was greatly appreciated was the Community Club of Trumbull Center. This group of dedicated ladies acted as the forerunner to the current Ladies Auxiliary. They put up curtains in the hall and purchased dishes and cooking utensils for the kitchen. The women also provided refreshments and entertainment for the various meetings and functions of the Fire Company in addition to pledging yearly contributions.

Written by :

Administrator