OUR HISTORY

Through 1982, to be updated soon

By Topper and Nancy Mack

“The Essex Fire Engine Company was enlisted under a charter given by the Legislature of this State in A.D. 1833.  The following are the enlistments into said Company by the committee appointed for the purpose, June 22, 1833, and the mankind then are taken from the militia.”

The above is the actual recording taken from the first Secretary’s Log of the Company.  There were 21 men listed.  Information and some dates are very sparse during the years from 1837 to the early 1900 era.  Most of the following information is taken in part from early Log Books and from “word of mouth” passed on to the present generation.  Whenever possible, we have compiled this history from Log Books that were, fortunately, preserved.

On September 5, 1833, “having accomplished their duty of enlisting the Fire Company,” the committee met for the purpose of selecting officers.  They were called upon to make a choice for a Commanding Officer.  By ballot, Gardner K. Dickinson was duly chosen to fill that office.  At this same meeting, it was also resolved “that the Commanding Officer be authorized to call the Company together for the next meeting at any time that he shall see proper.”

During this period, the Log Book reports that the engine was worked and exercised, but there is no written proof that an engine was available or that one had been purchased.

At the meeting of July 2, 1836, the Officer titles of the Company were changed to designations of First Foreman, Second Foreman, Clerk and Treasurer.  Fines were very popular, and were levied rather freely by the Foreman to the enlisted members.  Non-payment of dues was the reason for most of the fines.

According to the Secretary’s Log, at a meeting on May 3, 1846, the Company was now called The Washington Company.  We have been unable to locate any documents as to how or why this change of the Company name occurred.  However, on May 7, 1859, by unanimous vote, the following By Laws vote was adopted: “II This Company shall be known as The Essex Fire Engine Company #1.  This meeting of the Company was held at the store of H.H. Starkey.”

The membership list recorded on September 27, 1881, showed a roll of 43 Company members.  This particular meeting was held at the Masonic Hall.  At the meeting, the membership also appointed a committee of two to draw up specifications and plans for a new engine house which would be proposed at a Town Meeting on October 3, 1881.  In addition, a committee of three was appointed to procure a new hose.

At a meeting on October 7, 1881, the Company voted to add two more members to the Building Committee so that the plans could be completed and prices submitted.  A motion was made and passed that the new engine house be 28 feet long, 16 feet wide and 14 feet high of post and beam construction.

On December 21, 1881, a special meeting was called regarding the new engine house.  A roll call was taken, and the minutes of the previous meeting were read, approved and ordered recorded.  The Building Committee for the new Engine House reported that said House was built.  A motion was made and passed that the Building Committee be discharged.

The meeting of July 1, 1882 opened under new business.  Jared Redfield handed to the Foreman a handsome trumpet presented to the Washington Fire Company from Mr. Harry Redfield of Hartford.

On January 31, 1885, it was voted under new business that a Fireman’s Ball be held on February 23, 1885.  The net proceeds of the Ball, if any, would be given to the Public Hall Fund (the Public Hall is presently known as the Duclos Apartment Complex on Prospect Street).  At the meeting of February 28, 1885, a motion was made and passed that the Secretary deliver the net proceeds (five dollars) of the Ball to G.D. Stevens to be placed in the Public Hall Fund.

It is interesting to note that much mention is made in the original Logs about fires and about some of their locations (1885-1905).  Almost all the fires are recorded as being “a total loss” or “not much left.”

As far as can be ascertained, the original Engine House was located somewhere on North Main Street near the intersection of what is now known as Bushnell Street.  The Log reports of 1898 state that no meeting was held in November because the Engine House was being moved.  It was moved to the present location on Prospect Street, and is still a part of our existing station.

During a meeting in July of 1880, two motions were passed which stated that the Company pay their dues to the State Fireman’s Association.  It was voted that a delegation be sent to the State Convention (G.S. Hunt) with all expenses to be paid by the Company.

It is also noted that the Fireman’s Ball held in 1891 had expenses of $89.12 with proceeds of $84.12.  The company voted to make up the deficit!  In 1892, the Company voted to spend $25.00 on a new desk for the Commanding Officer.  The record also indicates that on July 7, 1905, the first hydrant was available for practice on Champlin Square.

A Truck Purchase Committee was formed in 1922 to investigate the procurement of a Pumper.  The October 24, 1924 meeting records a lengthy report from the Truck Committee.  After their report was read and accepted, the Committee asked for permission to appear before the Essex Board of Trade to present their findings and to request an appropriation of $1,500 from the Town of Essex.  At a special Town Meeting in January of 1925, the ordering of a Pumper with extra expenses not to exceed $8,500 was approved.  It is recorded that a Mack Pumper was ordered on May 22, 1925 with an anticipated delivery on or around September 1, 1925.  The October 1925 Quarterly Meeting minutes state that the truck had been delivered and the Truck Committee was discharged.

Between the years 1920-1930, the Company held two annual fund raisers known as The Ball and The Summer Carnival.  In May of 1928, the Secretary wrote to the Guilford-Chester Water Company and requested that the Town fire hydrants be painted yellow.  At a meeting held on May 24, 1929, it was voted that the fire truck participate in the Memorial Day Parade.  At that same meeting, the Building Committee reported progress on new ideas.  The Prospect Street Engine House had no heat, so the new Pumper was housed at the old Verplex Building.  At that time, the building was known as Tiley Pratt’s Spoke Factory. 

At a special meeting of the company held on February 10, 1930, it was voted that a proposed second story of the Engine House to be constructed of slow burning materials be rescinded.  Heating system specifications utilizing hot water were also vetoed, and it was decided that steam heat would be more efficient.

On April 10, 1930, the Company voted that the Building Committee enter into a contract with Pierette Brothers for the purpose of constructing a new Fire House.  The Building Committee reported “damn slow progress” on July 24, 1931.  The Treasurer’s Report on October 23, 1931 showed that the balance on hand was $2,487.89.  At a meeting held on July 22, 1932, the Company voted to have the Hose Committee look into 1½" hose that was new to the market.

At a special meeting of the Company on August 5, 1932, the membership voted that the Prospect Street Fire House be renovated at a cost not to exceed $1,800.  It was also voted that the Alarm Committee install a Gamwell or an alarm system and siren of equal quality for a cost of no more that $1,700.  In July 1933, it was voted to change the classification of Foreman to Chief.

Progress in the Department was very slow in the early 1930s.  In 1941, a new Mack Truck was delivered and housed at the Prospect Street Station.  The original Pumper was moved to the Behrens and Bushnell Company in Ivoryton. During early 1930, the old hand drawn pumper of the Washington Hose Company, which was housed in a barn on North Main Street, was stolen and dragged up the river on the frozen ice.  It was later located in the headquarters of the Hartford Fire Department and could never be reclaimed.

Much work was done on the 1941 Mack (Engine #2) at the E.E. Dickinson Company by their metal shop to keep Department's costs down.  The late 1940s entailed the building of the Ivoryton Engine House at its present location.  In 1950, two additional bays were constructed at the Prospect Street station.  Also, Engines #3 and #4, both International Chassis with built up bodies, were delivered.  Engine #4 was assigned to Essex and Engine #3 was delivered to Ivoryton.  During the early war years of 1942-1943, a new modern touch was added to the Department when crank telephones were installed in the Officers' homes.  With the installation of these telephones, the Officers could crank when the siren was blown and the operator would advise them as to the location of the fire.  The first DUKW (amphibious vehicle) arrived soon after the war.  The members spent many hours rebuilding the DUKW before it was put into service.

A major dust explosion at the Pratt Read Company did severe damage to Engine #3 soon after it was delivered.  When the truck was sold a few years ago, it still bore the scars.

With the arrival of the 1960s, the first emergency truck also arrived. It was an International Metro which the members worked hard and long to outfit with equipment and storage areas.  In late 1963, Engine #5, a Maxim Custom Pumper, arrived and a replacement DUKW was delivered and rebuilt.  The old DUKW had lived out its life.

Although the firemen’s wives had worked as a support team for many years, it wasn’t until the 1960s that an official Women’s Auxiliary was formed.  The firemen have always appreciated the coffee, sandwiches and support that their wives have provided.

In the early 1970s, our Junior Fire Department was incorporated.  The boys that have served have proved to be dedicated and efficient.

Because some dates have not been recorded during this particular span of time, we can only speculate.  A second Maxim Pumper #6 was delivered in 1971.  Soon after, the first brush truck was acquired.  It was a somewhat worn and battered International pickup which had been procured from the Essex Town Road Crew.  The members worked to upgrade this truck, and parts obtained from an old oil truck were rebuilt along with a rebuilt tank so that the brush truck could serve its purpose.

The early 1970s were very active.  As a gift from a very generous Essex citizen, we acquired a new Emergency Truck, a custom built vehicle designed according to Department specifications.  In 1976, our third Maxim Custom Pumper, Engine #7, was delivered.  A new custom built Brush Truck was delivered in 1975.  During this era, the Company was forced to retire DUKW #2 which was no longer capable of functioning.  The DUKW was replaced by a very fine outboard boat with a trailer and additional equipment.

In 1982, an addition to the Prospect Street Engine House was built.  This included a new meeting room, a kitchen, a work area, and a much needed hose drying tower.

Throughout the years, the men of the Company have purchased and added a multitude of equipment that have helped in all types of emergencies.  It is impossible to list the many generous contributions.

We are proud of our Company and its accomplishments, and we hope that the next 150 years will be as rewarding to the members who follow in the steps of the men who have served.