The fire department met on the second and last friday night of the month. One friday was drill night and the next was association night. On association night the men would discuss bussiness of the association and concerns for the community, plus smoke cigarettes. By eight o'clock in the evening you could not see across the room. Until this day the ceiling at the County Road Station is a dull yellow color.
On drill nights everyone would assemble with their Engine Company, head out and practice. Many of these drills were held on River Rd. just north of the arched bridge. They would put there suction hoses in the river and produce charged hose lines in order for the practice of spraying water. Many drills consisted of firemen from other departments teaching us the new method of the day. The favorite part of the drill was going to Gulf Hill Dairy
( Oxford Creamery ) on the return trip.
At a special town meeting held on Sept. 30, 1968 the town voted to appoint a Board of Fire Engineers to supervise the operation of the fire department. Chief Wood resigned Dec. 31, 1968.
In this era, fire was a fact of life and little was known about how fires burned, the risks firemen took and what could be done for prevention. A life was lost to a farmer who set fire to his field. This common practice was known as life and death. If your fire coat was dirty it meant you were a real firemen. Little attention was paid to the health risks that they were exposed to, no one knew.
When it came to what is now known as protective gear it wasnt much. Firemen were issued a heavy rubber coat and a helmet. You paid for your own boots. The cost was around $8.00 at a marine supply store in New Bedford. One of the members worked in the city and would pick them up. Gloves were for sissies, eye protection wasnt heard of and self contained breathing apparatus was just begining to make is apperance. Many pairs of shoes and clothing were destroyed in those days.
The apparatus used in those days were very primitive compared to present day. Any one with little mechanical ability could keep them running. The tale has been passed down about one such mechanical experience. Rumor has it that one of the trucks wasn't running as good as the local mechanic thought it should. He removed the distributor and sent it off to the city to be repaired. Well in those days that weren't many fires and the thought was he could return before the truck was going to be needed. Well don't ya know a call for a fire went out. The firemen showed up couldn't start the truck so next best thing was to tow it. Maybe it would start that way. The fate of the fire has become little cloudy over the years but it was a gallant effort.
In 1987 a new Pierce Arrow was baught to replace the old Ward Lafrance Engine 1. The old Engine 1 had a 750 gallon per minute pump and cost $17000.
The new Engine 1 has a 1,250 gallon per minute pump and a 1,000 gallon tank.
In 1989 a new Pierce Lance was purchased to replace the 1964 Maxim serving as Engine 2. The old Engine 2 had a 500 gallon per minute pump and cost $14,000. The new Engine 2 just like Engine 1 has a 1,250 gallon per minute pump and has a tank capacity of 750 gallons.