History
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An hour or so before sunrise on October 29, 1886, a fire was discovered in the center of New Hartford at Patrick Meyer's Saloon. Townspeople were quickly summoned and pails of water were passed frantically from one person to the next in a bucket brigade that made little impact on the raging blaze. By the time the flames were extinguished, 10 buildings had been reduced to ashes. Thankfully no lives were lost, but the small community mourned the destruction of the town center. Faced with the harsh reality of a fire's power and cruelty, residents knew forming an official fire department was a necessity. Although it took several years, on January 22, 1895 the New Hartford Fire Department was organized. With 31 charter members William Platt, a blacksmith, was voted in as foreman. Being a charter fireman around the turn of the century required not only strength of character but physical stamina as well. The original volunteers purchased a hand-drawn hose cart, known as the "Old Handrail," as their first piece of equipment. The 31 charter members had to hitch themselves to the hose carriage and pull it to the scene of the fire. The main area that the department was organized to protect was the village area, with plenty of hydrants to do so. Once called for outside of this area though they had to depend on the bucket brigade style of firefighting. In 1897 a hook and ladder was purchased and in 1922 a Reo fire truck was also purchased. The Reo fire truck, a red chemical truck, was the department's first motorized apparatus. The truck held two tanks carrying only 30 gallons of chemicals to extinguish fires. In 1941 a Ford American LaFrance fire pumper was purchased. This was the first truck for the department that resembles the trucks of today. Since then only five other pumpers have been purchased, one used pumper from Winsted, CT and four new ones. Three of those pumpers are still in service today, including a 1976 Oren and the newest, a 1991 Boardman. The first hose house of the department was the old Temperance Hall, which was purchased in the early 1920's, according to an article from The Winsted Herald. It is believed that this building was originally located west of the current Town Hall. In August of 1955 a flood devastated the fire department. The waters of the Farmington River rose and washed the fire station away. Though the trucks were moved to higher ground, much of the equipment was lost. The only thing salvaged from the station was the bell and siren. The fire district then purchased the old freight house from the railroad company. That building was the only station until 1969 when the West Hill area of the town became part of the village fire district. A station was then built on Arrowhead Drive. Later, in 1982 a new station came under construction to replace the outgrown freight house at the intersection of Rt. 219 and Greenwoods Road. The bell from the old station now hangs atop the new firehouse. Today, the department continues to operate out of the two stations. Over the years the membership has dwindled for several reasons. When the department first began in 1895, volunteering for duty was a clear and essential obligation. The 31 charter members were given the duty to protect the community from fires. Today with only 26 members the fire department must still try to protect the community from fires with the same care as our forefathers. |
