History and Tradition: The History of the Fire Service, and the Quincy Fire Department

The History of the Fire Service, and the Quincy Fire Department

Late 1800s: Major restructuring of the Fire Department

and the City of Quincy is Incorporated

1876

Quincy erects Wollaston Fire Station at Warren Av and Prospect Av. L. W. Lovell Chemical Engine Co No1 in service in Wollaston.

Telephone invented.

December 5. Brooklyn Theater Fire; 295 killed.

“The Hayseeds” formed with the "Quinceticikality-Flacfonorous Co No92", an 1840 Hunneman tub

Used primarily for musters

Niagara House and hand tub go up in flames. A report reads:

"About midnight on Saturday evening last, smoke was seen issuing from the Niagara engine house, corner of Washington and Sea Streets. As soon as discovered, an attempt was made to enter the building, but lo and behold the doors were found to be more securely fastened than usual, and it was with great difficulty that they were forced open. Those present succeeded in getting the hose carriage out, which stood near the doors, but the fire had made such rapid headway that they found it impossible to stir the engines, and the tub together with the house was entirely consumed."

1877

Granite Engine Co disbanded

1878

Washington Co No #2 Hand tub goes into service in West Quincy. Quincy's first fire main: 2,500’ of pipe laid between School St and Washington St with 6 Hydrants.

As fire stations developed into 2-story buildings, the second floor was used for sleeping and relaxation. When the alarm sounded the men charged down spiral staircases made of iron. Several stations had sliding chutes. Chicagoan David Kenyon of Engine Company No. 21 felt a pole would be faster than a chute. He built a wooden pole three inches in diameter and carefully sanded it and oiled it. The chief needed to be convinced Kenyon’s idea would work. He gave permission for a hole to be cut for the pole, but the inventor had to promise to repair it if the pole failed. It was first used in 1878 and was very successful. In 1880, the first brass pole was built in Worchester, Massachusetts by Charles Allen of Engine Company No. 1.

Quincy No1 Steamer went in service in 1881

1885

Chemical Engine Co No5 put in service in Houghs Neck near the corner of Sea St and Bell St

Chemical Engine Co No2 moved to new Atlantic firehouse on Myrtle St

1886

Quincy Firemen’s Relief Association formed

1888 Quincy incorporated as a city

The first loss of life ever to occur at a fire in Quincy, March 1.

Telephone line connected to Central Station

A curious note mentioned in the Quincy Patriot, “It seems to be the custom in Quincy to have 3 fires in close succession…”

Full time fire fighters averaged 21 hour days, 7 days a week

•1889

Willard School in W Quincy gutted by fire

Straight pipes replaced with Shutoff nozzles

1892

Fire fighters given 1 day off for every 7 days worked.

1893

3 new firehouses built: Hose 3 built in West Quincy, Hose 4 built in Quincy Point, and Central Station is moved to Quincy Av where High School Av is today. Holloway Hose Chemical Co No2 placed in service at Atlantic

Wollaston's Chemical #1 replaced with Quincy Hose Co No5

1894

Quincy goes to 3 digit box numbers

1880

Quincy adds John Quincy Adams Chemical Co No2 to Atlantic fire station in the Atlantic district located at Hancock St and Atlantic St

1881

Sliding poles installed in Boston.

Quincy votes in the purchase of a Steam Engine, a third class Amoskeag that pumped 550gpm, designated Quincy No1.

The Tiger Engine Co was retired and replaced with Quincy No1.

Quincy Steamer Engine No1 and Hose No1 were housed together on School St. This is the beginning of the two-piece-houses in Quincy.

1882

The Gamewell Company installs a fire alarm system in Quincy (134 boxes by 1916)

First box struck was Box 34, Corner of Union and Main St (false)

Aug 29, first multiple alarm struck for Box46, Copeland and Cross St

1883

First aid kits distributed to fire companies.

1884

Quincy restructures the fire department due to the installation of a fire hydrant system by the Quincy Water Company. Granite, Vulture, and Chemical No1 retired. Hose companies were put into service in their place.

Manpower at the time was:

Hose No1, Ladder No1, Steamer Hose No1: 12 men each

Hose Co2, Co3, and Co4: 10 men each

Hose 1 and Steamer Hose No2 at Wollaston (Winthrop Av) Hose 3 replaced Granite Hand tub on Franklin St Hose 4 replaced Vulture Hand tub on Washington St. Prior engine companies had 50 men each The department drops to 74 men from 237