B. Matheny
Note: The following information was compiled by retired DFD Captain Burt Matheny. It is a work in progress, as research on historical data can be difficult to obtain due to incomplete, dated records.
Department History by Year or Decade
FORWARD
This History has three goals.
The first is to try and remember those that have served with the Department and as a result served the community.
Second we hope remember the emergencies faced by the community and the Firefighters.
Last it is hoped that by tracing the departments evaluation, we, the present members of our community and those who come after us, will be able to build on past achievements and avoid past mistakes.
The Early 1900’s
In the early 1900’s the fire service in the Town of Durham was an entirely voluntary. There was little real organization. When a fire alarm sounded anyone and everyone so inclined would run to a shed at the rear of Thompson Hall. This shed house a hose reel, a hand drawn trailer with a few ladders stacked on it and a hand drawn chemical tub. These units would be taken to the fire and do what they could.
In later years the hand drawn tub was replaced with a Reo chemical truck and an old International truck was converted to a ladder truck by the Service Department of the University
1910
Note from the 1910 Town report - The town meeting approved the purchase of a “Two-Wheeled Chemical Extinguisher to be located and housed in the village” Judging by Chief Taylor’s report in the 1911 Town Report, fire station site selection and construction were less complex in those days. Chief Taylor wrote: “During that year a semi suitable place was fitted up for the wheeled apparatus in the basement of Pettee Block which is now known as the “Fire Station”
1920’s
The fire equipment is housed in garages at the rear of DeMeritt Hall. These garages had been built by S.A.T.C during their WW I training period. These garages were taken over by the Army ROTC because of their increased need.
1927
In April of this year thirteen members of the community “recognized the necessity for a properly drilled fire department for the University and the Town hereby agree to become members of such a department” This was the start of an organized fire department in Durham. (Was this group called the UNIVERSITY FIRE COMMITTEE?)
The members were to be paid the sum of $25. The sum to be paid jointly by the Town and the University. They were subject to a fine of one dollar for each drill or fire missed, unless said person was ill, out of town or the fire to far away to be gotten to.
(At the time the Agreement was signed it is not sure if the Town or the University had agreed to the $25 pay. There is a meeting in 1928 where the issue of fire protection is discussed)
Two Companies were formed, a hose company and a ladder company, each with a captain and a lieutenant with all men subjected to the orders of an elected chief. The men agreed to serve for two years. (See Copy of this agreement)
1928
In February of this year there was an informal meeting with the President of the University – Mr. Lewis, The University Fire Committee, selectman, James Chamberlin and Chief Carroll Nash of the Dover Fire Department to “discuss matters pertaining to fire conditions at the University and the Town”. Ten issues were discussed and ideas put in place. The President of the University, Mr. Lewis, stated that the University would pay half the cost of the fire department and it was left up to the selectman of Durham to get the Town to pay it’s share at the next town meeting. (see copy of the report of the meeting)
This meeting lead to the first agreement between the Town and the University to establish and pay for an organized voluntary fire department. This first agreement was for April 1928 to April 1929. This memorandum of Agreement included the following points.
1. The department shall consist of two companies of men. There will be two fire chiefs, one appointed by the town and one by the university.
2. Each member of the department will be paid $25 per year.
3. The Department chiefs will have absolute authority over all equipment.
4. The Department Chiefs will have authority to purchase equipment necessary to maintain equipment. Major equipment to be authorized by the town and the university
5. The University and the Town will jointly pay all bills contracted by the chiefs
6. The Department chiefs shall have absolute authority at all fires and that under no consideration, except in the case of double alarms, will the fire equipment be allowed out of the territory occupied by the Town of Durham.
7. The university and the Town shall jointly pay the sum of $3 per day for the services of one driver of the fire truck, during vacation periods between terms
(Some thoughts on the agreement. How did two fire chiefs get along at emergencies? What is a double alarm and why did that allow equipment to leave town?)
1930’s
Some time during the 30’s the fire station was placed in the old Dairy Barns when new ones where built near the Concord Turnpike (Rt. 4, now Main St.)
Later in the 30’s an addition was placed on the Service Building at Colovos Rd to consolidate the Fire department to one location. This was the location for about the next 50 years until the other end of the service building was remolded for the present fire station.
Two students were responsible for clean and polishing the equipment and keeping the station clean during the school year.
1931
The REO Chemical truck was replaced with a Seagraves 500 gpm pumper at a cost of $5,500 (the pump was rebuilt in 1943 at a cost of $703)
1934
This was the year that the first permanent man was hired. The person hired was Ralph G. Manning. Prior to this time two students were responsible during the University year for keeping the equipment and the station clean. When school was out other the Chiefs made other arrangements.
1937
A set of “Regulations for the Durham – University of New Hampshire Fire Department” was drawn up by Harold W. Loveren and Edward L. Getchell, Board of
Engineers.
These are rather detailed and are listed in their entirety in the end of this book. Some of the rules included the following items.
1. The Department shall consist of and Executive Board or Board of Engineers of two men.
2. A Permanent Fireman, who shall have charge of station, men and equipment.
3. The Board of Engineers shall have one man appointed by the Town and one the University.
4. The Permanent Fireman shall be appointed by the Board of Engineers……
He has absolute charge of his equipment and crew at fires and is responsible for results. ….Drills shall be held monthly and the men taught how to conduct themselves at fire. A criticism of lack of drill is a criticism of the Permanent Fireman , alone…………(was some one not doing training?)
5. It should be held in mind that the student drivers are working their way through college and the Fireman in charge should see that they are given a reasonable time to perfect themselves in their studies…..(so students were on duty much of the time.)
6. Permanent Man: In order to arrange for proper coverage of the station, at all times, it is suggested that the Permanent Man take his days off on the second, third and forth Thursdays of each month (It would seem that the Permanent Fireman got 3 days a month off.)
7. Student drivers: As in the past, the students will be employed as drivers. They will be paid the sum of $25 and will receive rent free quarters during the University year.
The Fire Station was in the Old Dairy Barns but moved to garage space adjacent to Hewitt when this build burned in July of this year. The fall of this year work as started on a new station at the site of the old Dairy Barns. This space became the UNH print shop and is now part of the Book Store.
1941
The International Ladder Truck was replaced by the Robinson City service truck built in 1916 and originally in service at Reading Massachusetts. It was equipped with a White engine at Reading in 1937 or 1937. The cost to the Town was $300 one –half which was paid by the University.
1942
A second permanent man was hired and the use of students as members of the department was discontinued. The chief and the permanent man were on duty 24 hours a day with one day off in seven. (This work out to at least 144 hours per week. Needless to say, but I will, this schedule made it difficult to keep the help. Though Chief Nash lived with it for many years.)
1944
The Board of Fire Commissioners was established. The board was to have 3 members. One appointed from the Town, one appointed from the University and the third to be appointed by the commission. The Board of Fire Commissioners continued to run the fire department until 1986? When a new agreement between the Town and the University did away with the Board and place more control in the position of Fire Chief.
A letter from the Fire Commissioners to the Town and University explains that the two Permanent Firemen should work 12 hour shifts with one day being a 24 hour shift to allow the other to have a day off. The letter explains that the work schedule of 24 hour six day weeks was too much of a strain on most to the Permanent Firemen and so it was hard to keep the second Permanent Fireman on the job. It seems Chief Nash was able to handle the schedule. (This schedule worked out to be a 84 hour week. It was 24 hours on, 12 off, 12 on, 12 off, 12 on, 24 off, 12 on, 12 off, 12 on and 12 off. This is repeated 7 times in a 6 week cycle)
The Combined salary of the two Fireman was $3300. One of these firefighters was the Chief.
Equipment : A 487 gallon water tank and a 90 gpm pump were mounted on a 1938 Chevrolet 1 ½ tone model Chassis. It was designed by a Dover Auxilary Fire Chief and cost $500. “It proved to be a most useful piece of equipment in the department insofar as getting water on a fire in a hurry, fighting chimney fires and fires in buildings beyond the Town Water system.”
1946
Department had two paid positions. The Fire Chief and the Second Regular Man. These two worked 6 days on with 1 day off. Each 24 day would be divided between the two paid personnel. One of the 6 workdays had to be a 24 hour shift. They also received 1 week vacation and 5 days sick leave. The chief was paid $1800 and the Second Permanent Man was paid $1600
Some of the requirements for the Regular Men were to –
a. Arrange for winter marking of Hydrants.
b. Arrange with local Boy Scots a snow removal project for fire hydrants.
c. Carry out necessary house keeping duties at Fire Station.
d. Maintain all Equipment in efficient operating condition.
e. Chief of Regular Man to make a yearly inspection of all places of business, fraternity and sorority houses, and University Buildings in Durham. (Yearly inspections of property to be started January 1, 1947)
f. Respond promptly to all call and still alarms in Durham.
There were also 30 Call Firemen positions. They were to receive $50 dollars a year for their services.Call Firemen were to –
a. Obey all orders of Chief.
b. Be familiar with the use, maintenance and operations of all department equipment.
c. Help re-load equipment after recall from fire unless specifically excused by man in charge.
d. Be familiar with locations of all hydrants and water holes.
(1.Department Regulations)
1947
A Ford 500 gpm pumper was obtained from the Portsmouth Navy Yard as US Government Surplus property for $1000 It was built during World War II
After a disastrous fire in RochesterNH, A forest fire burning nine miles long and consuming over 30 houses. Leaving 1 volunteer FF dead from being run over by a truck. The chiefs of 10 communities met in Portsmouth and set up a mutual aid agreement. The towns in this Mutual Aid Organization are:
Brentwood; Civil Air Patrol of Portsmouth; Dover; Durham; East Kingston; Eliot; Exeter; Greenland; Hampton Beach; Hampton Falls; Kensington; Kingston; Kittery; Kittery Point; Lee; Madbury; Navy Yard; Newfields; Newington; Newmarket; North Hampton; Portsmouth; Rollingsford; Rye; Salisbury; Seabrook; South Berwick; Stratham; York Beach; and Yourk Harbor.
Durham responds to Dover, Madbury Newmarket and Lee. At the time all requests for Mutual Aid were to go through Portsmouth Dispatch.
1949
The State Fire Marshall Recommends a new structure for the Fire Station so that it can suitably house new apparatus.
1953
About this time a study was done in regards to the number of men on duty, hours worked and pay. By this time the average workweek was still 84 hours but the shifts were 10 hour days and 14 hour nights instead of 12 and 12. This schedule was the desire of the permanent men and had one man on duty at all times. The study found that hours worked varied around the state. None were found to work more hours a week then the men in Durham. The Fire Commissioners felt that the workweek was not excessive and “creates no hardship on the men or their families”
There was also a question if the work force should be increased by two so that two permanent men are on duty at all times. This was desired by the University but the Town felt that in increase in manning might require the University to pay more then it’s present 50%. The thought was also made that “an increase in the number of permanent men would tend to discourage the present high morale and civic duty that now prevails among the volunteer fire department members. In short, if too many permanent man are added to the crew there will be a tendency to expect fires to be covered entirely by permanent men.”
The study also showed that the pay in Durham to be the lowest, except for Hanover, in the state.
The Chief was paid $2850 and the Permanent Man $2550.
The need for a new 75 foot aerial to replace the present obsolete ladder truck is discussed this year. The Town feels that it would be able to only offer a token payment toured the purchase of the new truck.
A new section was added on to the station to accommodate the Ladder and the engine.
NOTES: It appears that the University started paying 2/3 of the cost when more manpower was added. While the University was paying 50% they were also supplying
the fire station building.
1965
A B Model Mack pumper purchased.
1972
A 1000 gpm Maxim Pumper Truck was purchased. It had a gasoline engine that was changed to diesel in 1979
1973
In 1973 the permanent firefighters had 2 men per shift with 3 shifts working 24 hours days for a total of 72 hours a week.
The Department created four bureaus: Suppression, Training, Prevention and Communications with each headed by a Captain.
Fire calls for the year were 569
The Tone Alert system started, no longer relying on the fire horn alone to call personnel to an emergency. The horn was located at the UHN heating plant and was manually operated.
The “Memorandum of Agreement” which had been last approved in 1954 was updated and approved this year.
1974
This year was the start of a ten-year struggle to get new quarters for the fire department. While this was not the first time that the issue was addressed to move out of its present location (Colovos Rd end of the ServiceBuilding) it was the year that proper planning was started and a Fire Station Site Committee was formed.
Mutual Aid to Hayes Rd, Madbury. House fire, one fatality.
The tanker was being stored in the Livestock Barn of UNH.
One EMT on each shift
Size of the Department 15 permanent Firefighters, 30 Call Firefighters and 4 Dispatch Center.
1975
The Department Budget for this year was $232,114.50
Old Engine 1 (1931 Seagrave pumper) was sold to the Call Firefighters for one dollar.
The work hours for firefighters was changed to 56 per week (down from 72) in June 1974 (was this when the University took over the job of paying the firefighters?)
Each shift now has at least 2 EMT on duty
2/7/75 - Barn Fire at Highland House, Barn and surrounding buildings destroyed
2/8/75 – Lee NH Mutual aid, UNH system Complex, Barn Fire
1976
Fire personnel decided to remain under the university system due to better benefits. While under the University System it appears they were not in the University Personnel Policy (see 1978)
Voters approved money to study the need for a new fire station. The problems with the station included lack of space for men and equipment as well as safety issues with the station itself. All the department equipment could not be kept in the station. The rescue and tanker were left out side and the second ambulance was stored in the Lee Fire Station. The tanker was also stored in Lee during the winter.
One Emergency phone number implemented for the Town and University
There were 823 calls answered by the Department
7/5/76 Barn fire Emerson Rd. – loss of building
10/1/76 Wiswall Rd – House – Barn fire – Buildings burnt to ground on arrival
1977
It was decided to continue to notify the student backup call men with one blast of the steam fire whistle. (the steam whistle that was on the heating plant would be diconnected in the next couple of years)
Vehicle Rescue Equipment purchased. This included the Jaws of Life
1978
Personnel were continuing to work a 56 hour work week, working 24 hour shifts.
Fire Department personnel where place in the University pay system for the first time.
Operating budget for this year was 310,000, this is for both Fire and dispatch
The turn over rate of the dispatch center is discussed and an attempt to have the dispatch only handle emergencies was attempted.
The Ladder truck is now 25 years old (bought in 1953?) and in need of repairs to the hydraulic system and other mechanical items. This unit was never place back in service.
The call force has about 15 members and is in very short supply of drivers
A report was made to the fire commissioners about the turn over rate in the dispatch center. From 73 –78, 17 persons left the center. The center has five full time employees and 4 part time employees at this time.
Budget for the year was $78,440.67
4/23/78 – Structure fire 140 Madbury Rd 3rd alarm 2 firefighters injured
10/17/78 – Barn Fire Mast Rd – building destroyed
1979
The Town Votes to approve $1,025,000 for the construction of a new station in B-lot. This vote fails and ends the chance of moving the fire station to a new building.
$140,000 was approved to purchase a new ladder since the old 26 year old, 75 foot Seagraves which was condemned when it went out for repair.
Engine 2 is re-powered with a diesel engine.
ISO Rating goes from class 6 to class 4
2/79 – A fire in the court house/police station “destroys” the building yet within the year it is reoccupied by the court and the historical society.
11/25/79 Structure Fire – 48A Edgewood Rd – Barn attached to house on fire. 3rd alarm. Damage confined to Barn.
12/15/79 – Structure fire – Woodruff House, room fire
1980
Personnel turnover continues to plague the department (see the list of Department personnel)
The old ladder is replace with a new 100ft, Seagreaves Light Duty Ariel (check on date of delivery) On delivery it was found that it could not be placed in the fire station and was stored in the ROTC building
EOA Training taken by Firefighters
1/11/80 – Structure fire – Langley Rd. – two sheds fully involved on arrival. Loss to structure and contents
5/16/80 – Structure Fire – Mutual Aid NewmarketNH
12/19/80 – Structure Fire – Dame Rd – Wade Farm, barn and another building – Total loss
1981
A sprinkler ordinance was proposed but did not pass.
The firefighters were asked if they would prefer a reduction of hours or in increase in pay. They voted for an increase in pay. (A reduction of hours was to follow with out the increase in pay)
A building burn was held on Dame Rd.7
5/8/81 – Structure Fire – Beaudet Farm, Bennett Rd – 2 barns both total losses (4th alarm)
5/14/81 – Structure Fire – Wineceller Rd. – House fully involved on arrival – Total loss.
7/2/81 – Airplane Crash into house – 36 Woodridge Rd. – A plane ran out of full and hit the roof of the house. No fire and no one hurt in house. The pilot was announced dead at scene by a Doctor in the area.
1982
Five Permanent Firefighters leave the department this year.
New rescue vehicle was placed in service. This Box unit built by International replaced an old Civil Defense REO that was received from Fire Service Training for a swap for a van truck that was used for the rescue tools. This new unit would be replaced with a used International Coca Cola Truck.
11/11/82 - Structure fire Laurel Ln. – Room fire, damage confined to room
12/28/82 – Structure fire – Old Piscataque Rd. Garage with two cars, fully involved on arrival
1983
At this time the department consists of the Chief, Deputy Chief (todays Assistant Chief), Fire Prevention Officer, 3 Shift Captains, 9 Firefighters, 20 Call Firefighters and 2 Secretaries. The Town is paying 1/3 of the budget and the University 2/3.
Again the issue of hydrant shoveling is discussed with the commissioners stating it is the responsibility of the university and the town public works
Extra firefighters were hired in anticipation of a reduction of the work week to 48 (was this the year the first extra firefighter was hired?)
The town Voters approved a bond to move the fire station from the Colovos Rd end of the service building to the Zais Hall end. The cost to the town was $290,000 with the University originally providing the space to cover their share of the cost.
Five Permanent Firefighters leave the department this year.
1984
The workweek was reduced to 48 hours on 24-hour shifts. A new wage plan was give to the firefighters along with the reduced hours. While it was thought that this plan would help keep firefighters from leaving the department the fact was that every firefighter was unhappy with the plan and turnover continued to be a problem.
Seven Permanent Firefighters leave the department this year.
Bids for the new fire station reconstruction were opened and the lowest bid was for $350,000 while the bond to pay for the construction was $290,000. After much discussion it was decided that the University would have their personnel do the work in the living quarters and would pick up the tab for the cost of the work. (While this allowed the reconstruction to continue it ultimately made for lower quality station)
1/9/84 Bennett Rd Fire – Damage to room of origin.
1/84 Fire in Stoke Hall
3/84 Durham Point Rd Barn Fire – totally destroyed
Fire loss was 185,000
1985
Fire Personnel and equipment moved to it’s present location. While the station fits all the Fire equipment the Ambulance Corp. moves in to a building across the parking lot. (While this move was necessary because of space requirements, there was a loss of contact between the two groups) The new station also came with a 25 year lease.
The department receives delivery of a pumper/tanker. This unit carries 3,000 gallons of water and has a 1500 gpm pump. While purchased as a tanker it meets the requirements of a pumper.
Two Permanent Firefighters leave the department this year.
Hurricane Gloria came to Durham
Busiest Brush/Woods fire season in 50 years
1557 calls for the year
1986
Eight Permanent Firefighters leave the department this year.
In June the work week went from 48 hours to 42 hours
Moved into New Quarters at other end of service building
Shift Lieutenants have title change to Captain
Dispatch center may have been removed from Fire Department control this year.
7/25/86 – Structure Fire – Cedar Point Rd.
1987
Seven Permanent Firefighters leave the department this year.
Local 2253 became the bargaining unit for the firefighters, Captains not allowed to be members by court order.
Town had floods during this year
4/7/87 Flooding – rescue from vehicles
4/10/87 – Structure fire – 99 Mill Rd. Burns to home owner
12/26/87 – Structure Fire – Dover Rd, BachelorBuilding.
1988
Nine Permanent Firefighters leave the department this year.
1/11/88 – Falls Way – Structure Fire. Started along chimney moved to basement and attic.
1989
Five Permanent Firefighters leave the department this year.
The Town took over sole responsibility for operation of the Fire Department (the University still assisted with funding.) The name of the Fire Department changed from the Durham-UNH Fire Department to Durham Fire Department.
1990
1. Received a 1990 Emergency one Cyclone Pumper (E-4)
2. Fire Explorer Post stated with in the department.
1991
A false alarm ordinance was passed that started charging buildings with mutable false alarms.
Dispatch at this time run by UNH Police instead of the fire department.
1992
Burned the Clark House at UNH for training
1993
Live Training Burns at Ritzman Barns
July – 2nd Alarm brush fire Longmarsh Rd
October – 2nd Alarm Structure Fire at 18 Main St. One room involved.
1994
September – 2nd Alarm Structure fire. 18 Faculty Rd. Fire in first floor bedroom that extended to the second floor.
1995
State wide 911 in place but not on UNH
2107 calls for the year
1996
1. Sever Flooding in the Town in October
2. Rail Emergency Training
3. Natural Gas Training
1997
New command vehicle purchased 1997 Chevy suburban 4x4
March – 2nd Alarm Structure Fire. A shed at Leawood Orchards was burnt due to arson.
1998
November – 3rd Alarm Brush Fire near West Foss Farm Rd.
November – 2nd Alarm Apartment Fire at 2 Smith Park Lane. Damage to room of origin.
1999
Department wide training continued with live burns of 3 large chicken barns which were burnt to allow for expansion by the University. Below grade training was also done
The department continued to have a large amount of fires with in the town. Some of these fires are listed below.
May – 3rd Alarm Barn Fire at 35 Main St. Fire was arson and confided to rear of structure.
May – 5th Alarm Apartment Fire at 10 Main St. Due to a delay in notification building suffered heavy damage.
August – 5th Alarm House Fire at 51 Durham Point Rd. Another delayed notification. Fire on all floors and exterier on arrival. Building total loss.
September – 2nd Alarm Fire at 35 Madbury Rd. Fire on a porch.
September – 2nd Alarm Fire at 20 Bagdad Rd. Fire in basement. Heavy smoke and heat damage through out building.
October – 3rd Alarm House Fire at 144 Packers Falls Rd. Small fire but person trapped and needed rescue.
December – 3rd Alarm Fire at High School. Cause was arson and damage done to Wood Shop.
December – 2nd Alarm Fire in house at 30 Cedar Point Rd. Minor damage to rear of building, fire arson.
A new position of Training Captain was added and filled. This allowed a full time Training/ Safety Officer.
2000
The Department received delivery of a new Pumper at a cost of $360,000. The Engine was designated E-1. It replaced a 1975 Mack (also called E-1) it has a 1500 gpm pump and a 750-water tank.
Two Thermal imaging cameras were purchased with donations from the community.
The position of Fire Marshal was created in prevention, which brought the Department back to where it once was.
Two additional firefighters were added to the suppression force. This gave two of the 4 shifts and extra firefighter for a 5 man shifts. All shifts to have 5 man shifts in 2001
January – 2nd Alarm. Tanker roll over Route 4
April – 3rd Alarm Fire 8 Main St. Caused by faulty chimney, damage to all floors. Occupants smelt smoke for hours before calling the fire department.
May – 6th Alarm Fire 47 Main St. Business was lost when a fire at “Nicks” was lost at this fire. The fire started in the ceiling area. The false ceilings and extra roof’s prevented extinguishment in a timely fashion. Department did well to confine the fire to building of origin.
Remodeling was done to the kitchen with new cabinets and counters.
2001
Two Additional firefighters hired so each shift had 5 man shifts. Shift would drop down to 4 on weekdays.
The forestry vehicle was replaced with a rebuilt 1967 jeep kieser---- A trailer was purchased to carry the extra gear required for confined space rescue and heights rescue.
The Department made a comment to Rapid Intervention Team training (RIT). This included equipment and training with Exeter FD.
Department wide training continued with below grade, water and RIT training done.
February – 3rd Alarm Fire 56 Main St. at the Town and Campus. Fire in second floor rear of store. Damage confined to area of origin.
April – 4 Alarm brush fire Foss Farm Rd. 28 Aces burnt
April – Truck vs Train at BigDiamondBridge
2002
Since the shift went to five persons the town has been considering going back to four persons shifts. Much of the department’s time and energy has been put into maintaining the five person shifts.
The firefighters contract has expired and much of their time and energy have gone into attempting to find agreement with the Town. They had an agreement that they had TA’d and the town counsel voted it down.
A new rescue truck was purchased 2002 International with a Marion walk in box and it allows up to six persons to respond with it.
We entered an agreement with Exeter FD to be their RIT team and they are to respond in kind to Durham. This takes place at a second alarm.
2003
The Firefighters still have no contract and moral is being affected. The department is seeing most members looking at employment opportunities elsewhere. This year three permanent firefighters let to take jobs elsewhere. The low pay is also affecting the ability to hire. Persons who are asked to an oral board are saying no thank you to the offer. This greatly reduces the amount of persons the department has to choose from and the quality.
Department wide training continued this year through the training office. It included a Building Burn on Bennett Rd and a Basic rescue class.
2004
The Firefighters started the year with no contract, which caused the loss of firefighters. A contract was signed in May and duty shifts were changed back to 24 hours. All personnel but non-union employees started paying for health insurance. The Call Firefighters burnt a Barn on Newmarket Road for training and the Department burnt a building on Spinney Lane for training in April. This house had a one-room fire a few years back and the University decided not to repair it.
Five persons left the department this year. Four fire personal and on Administrative.
The Firefighters got a contracted signed and 5 firefighters were hired to fill the openings. One of the openings was created when FF Marcoux was called to service in Iraq.
2005
Three Fire personnel left this year.
Early in the year, Capt. Richardson retired after 30 years of service. With just over 30 years as a permanent firefighter he was the longest full time employee ever for the fire department. With the retirement of a shift captain, the training captain moved into that position, this allowed the training/safety captain’s position not to be filled.
Chief O’Keefe also retired from the fire service. A long process was started to hire a new chief that lasted till the end of the year. A new chief was hired to start in 2006. During this time the Assistant Chief was acting chief. The assistant chief position was not filled during that time.
Addition of a Jet ski for water rescue on a grant. Return at end of each year.
2006
The new Fire Chief comes to work in January. Chief Peter O’leary from wheatonIL. E-3 changed to Tanker 1. Dave Blatchford resigns to take job in Hampton.
When did firefighters get a contract?
When did Captains get a contract?
When did E-4 come in?
When did a 2 person go into prevention?
When was the Deputy Chief not filled?
The Short Story
What follows is a very brief look at the history of the Durham Fire Department. For more detailed information look at the pages that follow this short story.
In the early 1900’s the fire department consisted of a very unorganized group of people who would show up to fight fire when the alarm sounded. All the fire fighting equipment was hand drawn. This effectively meant that the only part of the town that was covered by the fire department was the area around the University because the equipment was stored around the university campus.
In 1927 a group of towns people got together to put some structure into the fire department. The department became organized with officers and firefighter placed in a ladder company and an engine company. Responsibilities and training were also decided on. By this time motorized equipment was in use and the community as a whole had fire protection coverage. The start up of this group caused the Town and University to work closer with each other to provided fire protection
In these early years the “fire station” was any place that could be found to house the equipment. It was not until the station moved to the west end of the service building that the location of the Fire Station become more or less permanent. Yet even with the fire department moving in to this location it wasn’t long before the issue of a new location raised it’s head. When in the 1980’s the Fire Station moved to the east end of the service building many of the station issues were put to rest.
Students were a very important resource for the department in terms of manpower and equipment maintenance. The student firefighter continued to heavily influence the department up into the late 70’s when additional full time personnel were hired. The additional full time personnel effectively stopped the practice of using the students as paid part time help. Students still make up and active part of the Call Force.
In 1934 the first permanent firefighter was hired with the second man hired in 1942. These men had one day off a week. They almost literally, lived at the fire station. How they had any type of personnel life is hard to imagine. They continued to work as many hours as the law allowed. When the law required that firefighters be paid over time after so many hours of work then the work hours were reduced. This was the case until the work hours changed from 48 to 42 in the mid 80’s. This was done not because of a desire to reduce overtime but because of the work load being done.
The history shows that the primary concern of the town was saving as much money as possible and relying on the university to pick up the cost when ever possible. This seems to be the situation until the late 1980’s when the records show the town taking more responsibility, both financially and operationally. The cost became shared by how each part of the community utilized the services of the department.
The first motorized “pumper truck” was purchased in 1931. Over the years the department saved the town much money by purchasing rebuilt and used vehicles and having its members work on them. This process continues even today with the Rescue Truck and Forestry unit.
By 1944 the Board of Fire Commissioners was in charge of the Department Operations and they would continue in this capacity until they were abolished in the late 1980’s. During this time, it is clear from commission records that where to house the fire department and how many man should be on duty were the big issues and problems that were addressed almost on a yearly bases.
In 1973 the department still were running 2 men per shift. By this time the workweek was 56 hours a week and this required 6 permanent men to fill the 3 shifts.
In the mid 70’s the men on shift increased from 2 to 4. The amount of training required to be a firefighter also rapidly increased about this time and continues to this day. As the 70’s came to a close the turn over rate of firefighters, both permanent and Call, began to accelerate until the department was loosing over half it’s members each year. At the same time the need to find a new station also became more important. The need was growing because the ladder, tanker and rescue could not be housed in the station. This was in addition to the work and living issues with in the station.
By the 90’s most of the issues had been addressed and turnover rates stabilized. With the start of the year 2000 things continue to change. In 2000 it was decided to once again to add a supervisor to fire prevention. It was also decided to add an additional man to each shift. This will be accomplished by early 2001. That will bring the shifts up to 5 persons. From there it is hoped to continue to work to add a 6th firefighter to each shift. The issue of a station will be looked at again as the lease for the present station expires in the next 5 or 6 years. New equipment is always being added, as are new requirements for the job. Personnel continue to come and go and to change the complexity of the department.
The calls that the fire department response to has not changed that much over the years. How we handle them has. The job of firefighter in some ways has become easier. No longer do we have to pull our equipment to the scene. We have SCBA to allow us to breath inside of smoke filled buildings. Our turn out gear helps to protect us from the heat. The Jaws of Life, allow use to get people out of vehicles. These things and many others have made the job easier. In other ways it is harder. Newer buildings collapse easier and faster then the older ones. The chemicals we find in burning buildings are more dangerous to the firefighter. Our equipment allows us to get further in to a hazardous area, thereby exposing us to things that can cause great harm. There are more types of emergencies that we are called to. There are more regulations that tell us how we must handle emergencies. All these things make our job interesting and challenging. It will be interesting to see what Durham Fire and Rescue looks like 20 years from now.
