WARNER FIRE DEPARTMENT -
HISTORY
Summary Version for
Warner's Home Page on the Internet
Believed to be one of the oldest organized Fire Departments in our area* (see
note below), the Warner Fire Department was established on August 16, 1830
in the section of town called "Lower Warner" and now officially named, Main
Street East. The Warner Fire Engine Company, as it was then named, consisted of 17
members, with one of the members usually elected as "Foreman" and one as
"Clerk". They had a small "hand-pumping, hand-tub engine" which was
later named "Kearsarge No. 1". This engine was sold around 1903 to a member of
the Lowell Veteran Fireman's Association in Lowell Massachusetts. It was completely
restored and in 1904 was loaned to the Trustees of the Great Exposition in St. Louis,
Missouri to be viewed by all people who attended this grand affair. The exact date of its
construction was unknown, but it was believed to be one of the oldest hand pump engines in
this part of the country.
In 1848 another engine company was formed organized on July 1 and called the
"Niagara Fire Engine Club", to protect the "Central Village". This
company also consisted of 17 original members and their hand-pumping, hand-tub engine, was
built by the Wm. Hunneman Co. of Roxbury Massachusetts in 1824. It is still owned and
displayed by the Department today. This unit was completely restored in the 1960's and we
won many hand-pumping for distance contests around the state with our "muster
team" during the 1980's. In fact we never lost a contest against other hand-pumpers
in our class. We could place sixteen fire laddies & lassies "on the brakes "
each side of the pumping tub and with a person manning the nozzle and a
"Captain" to keep things coordinated. At the end of a 50 foot length of 2
½-inch fire hose, with a straight-tipped nozzle, we could blast a stream well over 200
feet.
In the late 1800's still another hand-pumping engine was purchased. This unit,
built by the J.H. Sickles, Co. of New York, was nicknamed "Old Rooster". A
suction hose engine and a good firefighter, this pumper was sold, (we are not sure why)
about 1907 at which time the Warner Village Fire District bought a hose reel wagon and a
ladder wagon. Suction (or drafting) type of pumping engines many times worked out real
well. Instead of being fed water by a bucket brigade, this unit would pick up a draft and
be able to suck (or draft) water from a water supply, like a river, stream, pond, basin,
etc. In fact, in the center of Warner Village was just such a water deposit, which most
people don't even know about. In 1894 a 10,000 gallon all brick and concrete cistern was
constructed underground at the junction of Main, Kearsarge and Church Streets, right smack
in the center of town. . On the hill behind Simonds School, a well was dug and the water
was piped down the hill using lead piping and into this cistern. This water supply was
used on many occasions for fire suppression, probably the most recent extensive use was
during the Cricenti's Store fire of January 1974. It appears that during construction of
the large addition to the Simonds School in the 1970's, most of the lead pipes were cut
off or crimped shut, thus the supply to the cistern was closed. In the late 1980's when
road work was being done in the Town Square, the old cistern was filled in and ceased in
existence. Some of us remember it well and some of us, at one time or another, during the
summer months of course, used a ladder to climb down into the cistern to measure its size
and check for usefulness.
On August 5, 1893 a group of village residents petitioned the Selectmen to
establish a Village District for the purpose of providing water and fire protection and in
March of 1894 the first Annual Meeting of the District was held and it was voted to
purchase new hose, buckets, ladders and other supplies. It was also voted to purchase land
and construct an engine house. In May 1894 the Fire Commissioners leased the "old
paint shop" of the late Hiram Buswell for an engine house. This building was located
at the top of "Creamery Hill", now Mill Street on the lawn across from the
current Parsonage. That same building was later moved after no longer used as a fire house
and is believed to be the shop behind Dean & Roxanna Smith's house on West Main
Street. Later the engine was kept in the "old gun house", near what was Clough's
Blacksmith's Shop and was later moved to the site on Kearsarge Street (Kearsarge Mountain
Road) where the "old" Fire House stands today. This fire house was used by the
department as headquarters from that time until May 1962 when the new station was finished
on Main Street in 1962.. The old station is still used for storage of historical and spare
equipment. In 1907 the District purchased a new hose reel unit and an extension ladder for
use of the Hose Company. Later in the same year the district purchased a new Ladder Truck
(wagon) for the Hose Company. In 1907 "Old Rooster" was to be sold, the machine
weighed 2,450 pounds. An article in the newspaper at the time carried the following
advertisement: "FOR SALE" "A second-hand Suction Hose Hand Fire
Engine, with two 2 ½-inch hose-coupling attachments; powerful pumps, and room at the
brakes for 30 men. Manufactured by J.H. Sickles, New York. A powerful fire fighter - all
in good condition." "We have a good high pressure hydrant system and do not need
the engine." April, 26, 1907, by the COMMISSIONERS OF WARNER VILLAGE FIRE DISTRICT.
Upon demonstrating the units abilities, it was found to be in need of major repairs to the
suction pump and many attempts to correct the problems failed over the next few years.
Records show that they finally sold "Old Rooster" in 1917 for the sum of $25.00.
On June 16, 1898 it was voted to organize the Silver Lake Hose Company
No. 1, now known as the Warner Fire Department. The membership was set at and
limited to 24 members, of which one was elected Chief Engineer. All members were required
to reside within the precinct (Village District) limits. The reason for this was for
timely and adequate response. A new hydrant system was installed with the Silver Lake
Reservoir in the North Village as a water supply, thus enhancing fire protection for the
village area and the entire town. Not only was there instantly available water, under
pressure to protect the village area, but over the years, many thousands of gallons have
been "trucked" with tank trucks outside the village precinct to suppress fires
in the outlying areas of town and even into other neighboring towns.
In 1928 the first motorized apparatus was purchased. It was designated Engine
1. This "open-cab" 1928 Chevrolet 4-cylinder, 250 gallon per minute front
mounted pumper was tested on Christmas morning that year, at the cistern (we have a
picture of this and other events which we intend to include at some point) in the Village
Square and later in the day at the Waterloo section of town. The Demonstration was a fine
success in every way. Cost of this unit was approximately $600.00. The District
Commissioners had a difficult time coming up with the funds, but the fire engine was badly
needed, so Harold "Gramp" Dow, a Fireman himself and owner of Warner Lumber Co.,
"loaned" the department and district $300.00 to purchase the pump from Page
Belting Co. in Concord and then he constructed the all hardwood body and donated materials
and labor for this. So, the district raised the remaining $300.00 and we hope they paid
back to Gramp Dow at least the $300.00 cash he had loaned. Knowing Gramp, he probably
didn't really much care as he was an avid firefighter. This pumper was in service until
around 1950. It then was used as a maintenance vehicle for the Water Department for a few
years. In the 1970's it was restored as an antique fire truck and is still owned by the
Department today.
In 1937 the Fire District purchased Engine 2, a 500 gpm, front-mounted pump,
open-cab pumper on a 1937 Ford V8 chassis with dual wheels. The coach work was done by
Farrar, Co. in Massachusetts. This unit also had a new feature, a 250 gallon Booster Tank
with ¾ inch Booster Hose. For its time, Engine 2 was fast and dependable. It also carried
a 24 foot extension ground ladder and a 14 foot roof ladder, along with a hefty compliment
of 2 ½-inch cotton-jacketed fire hose. The complete unit cost approximately $2,200.00. In
1940 the Selectmen authorized the purchase of a new Fire Siren, which was placed atop the
Fire House on Kearsarge Street with the control switch at the local central office of
Merrimack County Telephone Company. The Fire Commissioners worked out a set of signals
(number of blasts or cycles) to be used in case of fire. These signals were used for many
years, in fact until the late 1970's. For example: 2 blasts indicated a fire within the
Precinct area, 4 blasts denoted west of the village, 6 blasts meant east of the village
and 8 blasts indicated either an out-of-town fire or a forest fire. One blast at 12:00
noon each day was a test of the siren.
After World War 2, the town was growing again and by 1950 it was time to add a
new piece again. Old Engine 1 had pretty much outlived its first line firefighting
usefulness. So, the District purchased Engine 3, a Triple-Combination Pumper. It was built
on a 1950 Ford F-6 Chassis with a V-8 engine and two-speed rear axle. This time the unit
had a full cab, heater and defrosters. It also had a 500 gpm front mounted pump and this
unit had a 700 gallon booster tank, with two ¾-inch booster lines stored on top mounted
reels. A 35-foot wood, 3-section extension ladder and a 16 foot roof ladder were stored
atop the hose bed. The term "Triple-Combination Pumper", came from its ability
to carry, water, hose and ladders as well as pump. The coach work and pump were supplied
and installed by Robinson Boiler Works, Inc. of Cambridge,Massachusetts. This unit cost
approximately $6.500.00. It was replaced by a new Engine 1 in the 1970's and sold to a
private individual in the Manchester area.
More equipment has been added throughout the years including a new Firehouse
on Main Street which was built in 1961-62 and dedicated to Warner Veterans of all Wars.
This building was built on a site which was purchased and then donated to the District by
Clarence "Cy" Hyde of Lake Winnepocket, Webster. Mr. Hyde loved Warner,
firefighting, firefighters and really liked the then Chief of Silver Lake Hose Co. 1,
Maurice F. Randall. The two-bay single-story structure and its fixtures was constructed
entirely by the firemen and other town volunteers. Many pieces and parts of the building
were donated by townsfolk. Some of the funds were raised by the Fall Foliage Festival. We
certainly do not want minimize this event as it was a huge task and with the leadership,
diligence and patience of Chief Maurice Randall, they completed it and held an open house
and dedication ceremony on Memorial Sunday in 1962. Cost for the project, not including
volunteer labor was approximately $10,000.00.
In 1964 another piece of equipment was added, Engine 4, a Class A, 750-gpm
pumper on a Ford F-750 Chassis with a 391 c.i. V-8 engine, 5-speed transmission.
Air-packs, aluminum ladders, a large hose bed, and other assorted tools and equipment.
Prior to this time all of our apparatus had been painted red. This time we wanted to go
with a two-tone design, the top half being white and the bottom half being red. This
combination was thought to have better visibility for people to see it and distinguish it
more easily, especially at night. We ordered the Ford chassis in all-white and then when
the coachwork was completed by Farrar Co., it would be painted the new combination red
& white. However, apparently there was a misunderstanding by Farrar Co. and when Chief
Randall and Deputy Chief Waldo Bigelow went to inspect the unit prior to delivery at
Farrar's plant in Hopkinton, MA, they found it painted entirely white from bumper to
bumper. It looked real nice and it was all lettered and gold leafed, so they decided to
take it as is. That set the stage as the next five units the department would build or
acquire. They would be painted all white. Old Engine 2 was relegated to backup duty. The
new Engine 4 cost $13,500.00. This unit is still in-service today, having been converted
to a 1,250 gallon Tank Vehicle.
A new Engine 1 was
placed in service in January 1974. It was a 1973 GMC chassis, with a 637 c.i. V-8 engine,
5-speed transmission with 2-speed rear differential. This unit had a 1000 gpm mid-ship
mounted single-stage pump. It carried 3,000 feet of 3-inch hose, along with 2-inch and 2
½-inch attack lines. Breathing Apparatus, Deluge Gun, Lighting Plants, etc. Of course it
was all white in color and cost new, $31,500.00. The apparatus vendor was Maxim Motors,
Inc. in Middleboro, Massachusetts. Throughout its life with the department, this pumper
was generally used as a water supply (source pumper) unit and as a mutual aid (out of town
response) piece. This unit has recently been replaced and sold.
Members of the department constructed two separate tankers during the 1970's.
We needed water tenders (tankers) to carry larger loads of water directly to the scene of
an incident, thus backing up and adding to the initial attack load provided on the
pumpers. Not feeling we could ask the town to purchase new, we found a used 1962 Chevrolet
Chassis, which David Wachsmuth of Warner Fuel Co. donated to the department. Mr. Wachsmuth
also donated a used oil tank unit from one of their older vehicles. Department members
donated many hours of time and personal expense to complete this project. Members like
Captain Dick Cutting, Captain Philip Rogers, Ernest Nichols and others. Paul Violette was
Chief of the Department during this time. This tanker carried 1,500 gallons of water and
"quick-dumped" its load through a 6-inch valve. We called it TANK 1 and it saw
service from about 1977 until replaced in 1981. Of course it was "all-white". We
sold TANK 1 to the East Alstead, NH Fire Department, where it was used for a few more
years.
We also obtained a used military chassis, with a 1,500 gallon tank attached,
from the NH Forest Fire Division. This was a 1953 all-wheel drive, 2 ½-ton vehicle. It
was designated TANK 2 and saw service from approximately 1978 until 1989. Again, this was
constructed, painted, etc. by department members, most of which were the exact same
members who constructed TANK 1. Since it was only "loaned" to us by the state,
once we no longer needed this unit it was returned. Another unit we received, on loan from
the state, was a 1952 military jeep with trailer. We named this unit FORESTRY 1, painted
it completely white and it was used for many purposes from 1978 until 1989.
Currently the Warner Fire Department has the following equipment or
"rolling stock":
