As the town grew, 1937-75

Written by Administrator | 05 March 2010

As the Town of Trumbull grew so did the fire company. In 1937 another bay was added to the firehouse for the new Seagrave apparatus. The third chief, Carl R. Peterson, served for over 17 years. Under his leadership the Fire Company gained the reputation of being a well-organized and trained department. Regular drills were scheduled. Chief Peterson also imparted the latest knowledge and skills in firefighting techniques which he gained from attending the yearly State Fire Conventions. He served on many committees and was the working chairman for many carnivals.

During the Second World War the Fire Company activities greatly diminished, and rightly so. Almost half of the active members (56 men) were in the Armed Forces serving their Country. Two members, Joseph Lenhard and Robert Thornburn, lost their lives in combat. To sustain the loss of manpower, the Company dropped the minimum age requirement to 17 years of age.

The ever constant growth of Trumbull demanded greater fire protection, and the Fire Company did not stand still. Two more bays were added to the firehouse as well as another apparatus in 1950. With a larger firehouse and three fire trucks, the carnival could not bring in sufficient revenue to cover the rising operational and maintenance costs. After almost 30 years of self-support, help was needed. A fire commission was formed in Trumbull Center Fire District, and the first fire tax was levied. The Fire Commission is still in existence today, and the taxes you pay are used to operate and maintain the fire trucks, purchase new equipment and pay for specialized training.

Although now assisted by a fire tax, the members of the Fire Company carried on. The firemen, themselves, purchased a 1956 Chevrolet chassis and built the Company's first ladder truck. The project took several years and many hours to complete. This truck has been in constant service even after the Fire Commission purchased the 85-foot aerial tower in 1970. Like anything getting older, the usefulness of the truck to modern day firefighting techniques is questionable, and the Company plans to retire it. Some of the older members feel the loss of it as losing a departed "friend". However, this decision did not dampen the spirit of the members as they are in the formative stages of purchasing another truck.

A rescue type truck is needed for the increasing traffic flow through Town-especially with the future Route #25. The responsibility of rescue and extrication has been required of the Fire Company. To perform this operation, special equipment is needed as well as skillful training in its use.

In 1960 the Fire Commission also dedicated a new three-bay brick firehouse located on upper Daniels Farm Road. In addition two new fire apparatus were also purchased. The volunteers now covered the fire district by manning both firehouses on all alarms.

Several years later the Fire Commission purchased a four-wheel drive pickup truck to combat the increasing brush and woods fires. After several precarious predicaments using the larger fire trucks, the men decided a smaller truck would be better. To supplement the pickup, the Company again with their own funds purchased a smaller four-wheel vehicle with a pump and water tank. The high-pressure water supply system on this "brush" truck drastically reduced the long hours spent fighting woods fires. This vehicle is also serving as the current "rescue" unit.

As the men constantly spent many hours at fires, drills, work details, and other activities, the time spent home was limited. The mothers and wives of the volunteers met in 1958 and formed the Ladies Auxiliary. Although completely independent, these ladies assisted the Fire Company as did the Community Club in the past.

In 1975 a decision was made to replace the quaint but aging firehouse on White Plains Road. At that time the District Fire Commission, along with the officers and men of the Fire Company, are preceding in a joint and cooperative effort to build a modern, more functional firehouse thus maintaining the best possible fire protection.

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Administrator