Beginning in 1896, fire protection in Hinsdale was taking roots with the installation of fire hydrants in the downtown or village area. Getting water on the fire was done by bringing a hand-drawn hose cart or maybe a team of horses to the scene. This hose cart had a few hundred feet of 2 ½ inch cotton hose, a nozzle or two, and a pentagon shaped wrench for opening the hydrant. As much manpower as could be found was put into service to control and extinguish the fire.In 1928, a group of civic minded individuals formed a hose company, later called the Hinsdale Fire Department. These men met from time to time to maintain the organization of volunteers. The group met in the old Masonic rooms on the 3rd floor of the Bowen Block at 16 Maple Street. In the first elections William E. Morgan was elected as Chief, Harry Parker 1st Assistant Chief, and William E. Collins 2nd Assistant Chief. Also included were 20 firefighters to fill out the charter of members.These willing men were able to influence the town into purchasing a 1929 Buffalo fire truck. On July 11, 1929, the new truck arrived in Hinsdale. It was manufactured by the Buffalo Fire Appliance Company in Buffalo, NY. The truck was equipped with a 500 gallon per minute rotary gear pump. Included was a 100 gallon tank for water, a 24 foot extension ladder, roof ladder with hoods for over the peak roofs, a reel with 200 feet of ¾ inch booster hose on a reel, and a nozzle. Also, the hose bed was filled with about 1000 to 1200 feet of cotton/rubber lined hose and nozzles. Other auxiliary equipment used at the time included hydrant wrenches, fire extinguishers, pick-head axes, metal buckets, lanterns, leather gloves, plus other useful gear.In late 1929, the house of one of the charter members caught on fire. The fire truck was dispatched to the corner of Middlefield Road and East Washington Road. Water for the fire was pumped from nearby Bennett Brook. The house was completely destroyed; however the efforts of the firefighters resulted in the removal of many articles from the burning structure.Over the years, the “Buffalo” responded to many structural fires, grass, brush, forest fires, and the very common chimney fire. Even though these fires occurred during the Great Depression, our dedicated volunteers did their best to keep loss of life and property to a minimum. Mr. Morgan continued to lead the group until the end of 1936 when Carl R. Mosegard served as Chief from 1936 to 1937. He was followed by John McGill, who served from 1937 to 1939. Milo “Sy” Kent became Fire Chief in 1940 and remained Chief until 1946. Mr. Thomas Levardi replaced Mr. Kent from 1946 – 1947, until Kent was reelected for 3 more years.In 1939, the Fire Department was able to acquire the 2 story building formerly owned by the Daughters of Isabella and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield. This allowed them to house the fire truck in heated quarters in the downstairs bay and hold meetings or social gatherings (annual dinner, dances, fundraisers, etc.) upstairs. A one horsepower fire siren was installed in a cupola on top of a barn across from the fire station to summon the volunteers for an emergency. This could be remotely operated by the telephone operator when an emergency call came in. Two blasts of the siren followed by two more spaced intervals and continued until acknowledged by responding firefighters of the fire’s location. Three blasts followed again if needed meant the fire was out of the fire district. Four blasts signaled the volunteers that a person or persons were lost in the woods. Mrs. Arthur McCasland operated the telephone switchboard and Mrs. Olive Galeucia took over the duties later on until the alarm system was changed to the former red phones that were installed.Another addition to the fire equipment was a GMC pickup truck acquired during the 1940’s. This was equipped with hand pumps, Indian pumps each containing 5 gallons of water and manually operated to spray water on brush and grass fires. It also carried fire brooms, shoves, and axes. From 1941 to 1945, during World War II, many men in the fire department were serving their country. Middle aged men and junior firemen were the only ones available to fight fires. In 1948, again due to the efforts of our dedicated volunteers, the town selectmen were asked about financing another fire truck.In 1949, a new fire truck was obtained. A 1949 engine and drive train with cab and chassis, plus hose bed and compartments were sent to Woodville, MA to the Farrar Co who was to customize it as a fire truck. On the truck’s return to Hinsdale, needed equipment was added. The fire truck was put in active service under the department leadership of Milo Kent and later Allyn W. Smith, who became Chief in 1950. The 1949 Ford fire truck was kept in service for over 25 years. Even with its own active service in Hinsdale, it was often summoned to Peru, Becket, and Middlefield to assist under the Berkshire County Fire and Mutual Aid System, spearheaded by Chief Allyn Smith and other chiefs of surrounding towns.The Ford had some very useful options such as a 600 gallon per minute pump operated by various stages to increase 120 pounds per square inch to over 200 pounds per square inch in event higher pressure was needed for long hose lays. Plus, the Ford had a 600 gallon water tank which proved very useful in rural areas of the town. Before the Fireman’s Association received a 1600 gallon tanker with a large midship, power take off pump. The tanker was tuned up and equipped with a 2 ½ inch hose line for supplementing the ’49 Ford’s 600 gallon tank. This rendered 2200 gallons of water to suppress large structural fires in rural areas.This feature was very useful many times during the late 1960’s for knocking down the numerous barn fires that occurred during that period. I [Wes Olds] recall one fully involved barn fire hooked to another. I was acting fire chief and used the large volume/pressure line to knock down [called a blitz attack] the main fire and saved the adjoining barn. We later mopped up the fire with smaller lines with the help of the Dalton Fire Department’s 1000 gallon tanker.Training new firefighters and EMS personnel was also very important in the early years as it is now. Several times a year, Lieutenant Ward Whalen of the Pittsfield Fire Department held training sessions in Hinsdale. In addition, at certain periods a representative of the Red Cross would update our department on the latest first aid techniques. In the 1950’s, many members of the department received certificates from Captain Joseph G. Coy, Training Officer of the Pittsfield Fire Department for actual firefighting drills. Later, Captain John J. Maher took over training the volunteers. He was followed by Captain Robert P. Villanova, also of the P.F.D.Several of the Hinsdale crew attended many Fire Science courses taught at Berkshire Community College. These were taught by Deputy Chief, later Chief Joseph W. Coy, son of the earlier instructor. Now the department receives training by certified instructors of EMS and the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy from Stow, MA. Hinsdale officers also conduct training with the firefighters every Tuesday night, year round.On January 5th, 1953, a tragic fire in Hinsdale claimed the lives of Father James J. Courtney and his housekeeper Mrs. Mary Moore. The rectory fire was a probable cause of a malfunctioning oil burner. This happened in the very early hours of the morning. Mrs. Sarah Cooke of Curtis St. spotted an unusual glow in the sky at approximately 4:30 A.M. and raised the attention of her teenage son Patrick who went to investigate. When he found the rectory on fire, young Cooke banged on the door of Mr. Garrett Collins Sr. and Collins summoned the fire department. Within minutes, firefighters were on the scene, but there was little they could do as the fire had such a head start. Even with an aggressive attack with large 2 ½ inch hose lines, it took about an hour to get the fire under control. The volunteers were led in their effort by Chief Allyn W. Smith. The bodies of the priest and Mrs. Moore were recovered later under the rubble, as the rectory was a total loss.Usually there is one serious fire every year which puts the fire department to the test, requiring much apparatus, manpower, and large amounts of water. Sadly in the mid 1950’s, our faithful “Buffalo” which was still in workable condition was scrapped for metal to a junk dealer. Mainly this was because of some very nearsighted and pennywise town officials who thought that the department only needed one pumper to serve the town, based on their theory of 1 fire, 1 fire truck! Chief Smith thought differently though and obtained a serviceable 1941 Mack pumper (500 gallons per minute) through Civil Defense. This was used until the early 1970’s when a new truck was purchased to supplement the aging and overworked 1949 Ford! In July of 1966, Hinsdale had a fire fatality. On a mild summer evening, several fire department members were testing the fire pump on our 1941 fire engine near the library. Even over the loud noise of the motor and the fire pump, the fire siren could be heard at the then near-by fire station, which began blowing its second signal. This indicated that a fire was in progress. The call was on 13 Main St. about 100 – 150 yards from the fire station, and the firefighters acknowledged the call and responded the short distance in turnout gear. On arrival, smoke was coming out the left side door. Several firefighters put on air masks and took a 1 ½ inch hose line with them. From the doorway, they knocked the fire down in the stove area of the kitchen.Next, using the buddy system, the firefighters spread out to search for victims. First, a shaggy dog taken out of the building, then nearby a prone body of a large man was found. Two firefighters carried him outside for first aid and oxygen. The occupant was a Mr. John Manning, a small time chemist. It was found out later that he was making small amounts of a flammable rust inhibitor like WD40 or Liquid Wrench on his gas stove. The mixture was in a 1 gallon jar set in a pan of boiling water on an open gas flame. It ignited and Mr. Manning probably was attempting to control the fire and inhaled smoke and flame. He was given oxygen and transported to Berkshire Medical Center for emergency treatment by our ambulance. However, due to smoke inhalation and having external and internal burns, he was pronounced dead at the hospital by the emergency room doctor.While looking for hot spots to guard against a flare-up, fire personnel and officers found a 55 gallon barrel with a wood alcohol label on it. The barrel was in the room behind the kitchen. It was about ¾ full of flammable, but not explosive chemicals. Firefighters removed the volume of chemicals, found no more fire, and the building was secured. After a reasonable period elapsed, the fire department burned the chemical mixture in a gravel bed under controlled conditions. Thus, in his passing, Mr. John Manning was the 3rd fire fatality in less than 14 years. Reverend Father James Courtney and Mrs. Mary Moore died in the St. Patrick’s rectory fire in January 1953.After much discussion with the town officials, the fire department finally convinced them into financing a new fire truck to meet Hinsdale’s needs. The 1941 Mack and 1949 Ford were showing excess wear and repairs, thus there was a need for a new truck in order for the fire department to continue to provide adequate fire protection for the town of Hinsdale. The new truck was an International – Thibault pumper which was fully equipped with a 1,000 gallon per minute pump. It also had a 600 gallon water tank that was useful in rural areas, plus attack hoses, 2 ½ inch water supply hose, one 35 foot ground ladder, one 14 foot roof ladder, lights, and hand tools. With each pumper carrying 600 gallons of water and a 1947 GMC 1,600 gallon tanker donated by the Pittsfield Fire Department, Hinsdale was now prepared to fight a structural fire without nearby water. The department now had 2,800 gallons of water on wheels to give a lot of fire extinguishing power.Most structures were saved unless there was a delay in the summoning of the fire department after the fire started or the building was intentionally torched by an arsonist or person wanting to collect fraudulent insurance claims. During this period, Chief William Robins was still leading the Hinsdale Fire Department and the Fireman’s Association. The fire department continued responding to medical emergencies, auto accidents, wildfire, and structural fire calls. Also there was the usual service calls like flooded cellars, utility wires down, with an occasional animal rescue. Also at the time, Hinsdale had 6 summer camps open for 8 weeks with hundreds of city children summering over. This raised the department’s medical and ambulance calls. Additionally there were water rescues with two large lakes in town and Hinsdale had 3 or 4 unfortunate drownings over the years. This was before flotation or other means of air vests were required by all persons in boating, fishing, sports, or water skiing. These are now required under law to be worn at all times when water skiing or boating.At this point in time, I would like to say something about the ambulance service provided by the Hinsdale Volunteer Fireman’s Association. It never was a service provided by the Town of Hinsdale or the Hinsdale Fire Department funding. Since its inception in the 1950’s, it was manned by whoever was available. Back then, every one of the attendants and all firefighters had to have an up-to-date advanced first aid card. Red Cross instructors gave several sessions of first aid each year to update the department’s training. It is not like today and in recent years when you have to have at least 2 Emergency Medical Technicians on board. Of course, improvements in medical science have occurred over the years as well.In the 1950’s the ambulance service obtained a green 1941 Cadillac from a firm in Providence, RI. To quote the late Chief William Robins, who was ambulance captain at the time, “It was a piece of overused crap…it always needed fixing.” A much nicer Cadillac ambulance was its replacement and served the Fireman’s Association and residents for several years. Over time, funds and number of emergency runs increased and vehicles were replaced as needed. Funding for vehicles, oxygen, and first aid supplies were from donations of individual residents and families if they used the ambulance. Nearby towns like Peru and Middlefield donated amounts of $1,000.00 or more yearly for coverage.Many individuals served as ambulance captains – the late Bill Robins (Chief), Mr. Jack Lott, and the late Ralph Cormier, who served until ill health prohibited him from serving, and whose son Ralph J. Cormier has served many years as Assistant Fire Chief. A third generation of Cormier’s is now serving, R.J. Cormier Jr. is currently a junior firefighter. Bill Robins Jr. and Norm Smith each served long terms as ambulance captains. The Fireman’s Association continued to buy used serviceable ambulances. Twice it purchased new customized ambulances; one was an International and another was a Chevrolet. Even with donations and many fund raisers, a new Cadillac ambulance could not be afforded for the Fireman’s Association’s provided ambulance service.This is a good time to interject a many thanks to the late Mr. Robert Kinoy and his wife Alex for many years of devoted donating of large amounts of money to the Fireman’s Association and ambulance service. Robert even helped out in person on fund drives and on his own time, would solicit money from other summer camp owners. His daughter Diane lives in Pittsfield and visits our fire department, annual Block Dance, and annual Fireman’s Muster every year, greeting the volunteers when she is in town. When our 1970 International Fire Truck arrived in town, the department took it to show the Kinoy family at Camp Taconic. Diane has a treasured photo of her dad sitting in the driver’s seat with her mother standing by.Our fire department is always training on new fire suppression techniques and reviewing old ones. Training started in the 1940’s on Tuesday nights and still continues 60+ years later at the same time. Every Tuesday night year-round there is at least 12 or 14 firefighters and EMT’s at the station, pumping at hydrants or lakes, testing equipment, or conducting other forms of training. Also if an abandoned structure is donated for use, the department practices smoke drills with rescue techniques, setting rooms on fire and extinguishing them, and finally the whole structure is ignited and burned to ashes. Other neighbor towns drill with us often, including Becket, Peru, Dalton, and Middlefield. This benefits all of our neighbor towns as we found out in 2008 when Dalton and Peru had very serious fires. In April, May, and June of 2008, Hinsdale has been drilling on a very large apartment building which will be burned down in early June and these neighbor departments have been participating in various training drills with us.The late Bill Robins continued as Fire Chief from 1961 to 1978. During his last years as chief, a 1976 Ford pumper was purchased with a 1,000 gallon per minute pump and a 750 gallon water tank. Many years later after acquiring the 1993 Mack/Darley compressed air foam (CAF) fire engine, the 1976 Ford was converted into a 2,500 gallon tanker. The tank was donated and the chassis was rebuilt. This tanker was used until early in the spring of 2008. Our newest tanker has been a project for many months. First a Mack engine, cab, and chassis was donated and overhauled. Then a 3,000 gallon aluminum tank was obtained so that there is “no more rusty water!” During the winter months of 2007 to 2008, Chief Larry Turner and former Assistant Chief and Chief Dave Olds with additional willing volunteers got the tanker painted and emergency red lights were installed. A rear deck of aluminum and matching fenders were also placed on the vehicle. The rear deck has a 300 gallon per minute pump for the 3 attack lines, a ¾” line for brush fires, a 1 ¾” for larger fires, plus a 2 ½” line with nozzle for a “Blitz Attack” on large buildings. Hydrant wrenches, nozzles, and extra hose are also on board. With this new tanker set up, the fire department can respond to a fire with 5,000 gallons on wheels, 3,000 gallons from the tanker supplemented by 1,000 gallons on each pumper. Also on the rear of the tanker is a suction line so the tanker can back to a pond or lake and draft to fill the 3,000 gallon tank. In addition there is an 8 inch dump valve for emptying large amounts of water into a portable tank so the tanker can leave to be refilled at a hydrant or fill station. For quick filling, two 3” pipes and fittings are mounted so two hoses from a pumper or hydrant can refill the 3000 gallon tank.Now back to the late 1970’s. After a very serious house fire over the line in Peru, Chief Robins had enough after 17 years of service as Fire Chief and tendered retiring at the end of his current term. At the January annual supper, he announced that as of that night in 1978, David H. Olds Sr., his 1st Assistant Chief was now acting Fire Chief pending approval of the Selectmen per protocol. At this time Dave approached the selectboard and said we needed a new fire station as the old one acquired in 1939 was falling down around the thousands of dollars worth of our emergency apparatus. Immediately, Chief Dave Olds, Larry Turner, Bob Barnes, plus many other willing helpers both fire and civilian proceeded to make financial plans, obtained land in a central location in town, and acquired funds from town, state, cooperation’s, businesses, and individuals. Also, blue prints were drawn up; an architectural engineer was engaged in the project, and the necessary permits were obtained.Ed Richards, a noted building contractor with an engineering background helped the volunteers with his expertise and time. Ed was also a former Assistant Chief of the Hinsdale Fire Department in the 1960’s. Ed even contacted U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy to acquire federal funding if possible. Chief Dave Olds, Assistant Chiefs Bob Barnes and Larry Turner plus many firefighters, EMT’s, and other volunteers helped continue to make a new fire station a reality. The first plan from the finance board and selectboard to keep costs down was a three bay, one fire truck deep metal building with a peaked roof and high ceiling. This plan was rejected as it left insufficient room for the other essential fire apparatus like a tanker truck, brush fire, plus a rescue truck for motor vehicle accidents and extrication tools. The “Jaws of Life” was in the future but the building was the first priority. After all we have some pretty dejectable storms all year round in the Berkshires, so maintaining, preventing wear and tear and keeping large amounts of freezing water from damaging pumps and tanks was the top priority. Not to mention, security of expensive and essential apparatus is important too.The building also needed restrooms, office space, a meeting and winter training class room plus a common control room for base radio station, desk, two telephones, maps, and record books. Lockers for helmets, boots, and other turnout gear for each officer and firefighter was necessary along with hose racks, work bench, air compressor, and an emergency generator. Hence, back to the drawing board to allow for a complete and functional facility to serve our town for unforeseeable emergencies. Meanwhile the fundraising continued so that more stress would not be put on the taxpayers. Raffles, bake sales, serving meals to motorcycle clubs for weekend races, block dances, and many other successful fundraisers were conducted to finance the Fire Association and station needs. At long last, after thousands of hours, donations, and dedicated help, the new fire station was occupied.There was an open house and tours, a fire demonstration behind the station along with “Jaws of Life” demonstrations. Sunday July 27th, 1980 at 1:00 PM marked the official dedication for the approximately 85 foot wide by 65 foot long building with a steel superstructure. The addition on the fire station will be discussed later. Then our old friend and benefactor Mariano “Mud” DiPierro wished to put on a large meal at his expense. This was to reward all the people who helped him in the past and also as a reward for building the new fire station. “Mud” used to be in the catering and restaurant business in the Greater Boston area.
