Noroton Heights Fire Department
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The Noroton Heights Fire Department is an all-volunteer fire department that serves the town of Darien, Connecticut in southwest Fairfield County and is located at 209 Noroton Avenue, Darien, CT 06820. The department is one of three in the town, each serving a specific geographic region within the town, as well as combining services when needed.
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[edit] Noroton Heights Fire Department
The department was formed on May 12, 1903 as the Noroton Heights Fire Engine Company Number 1, with thirteen men under the direction of founder William Dugdale. “The Gig” is the first piece of chemical equipment in the State of Connecticut and purchased by the department on June 24, 1903 with a $900 loan from Dugdale. The Department sources only Mack trucks, specifically the CF series, for its apparatus fleet.
[edit] Town Fire Department History
The very first fire department in Darien was started in January of 1895 as what is now the Darien Fire Department, one of three departments that serve the town of Darien. Shortly after, the Noroton Fire Department was started on April 24, 1896. These two departments handled all calls for fires within the town of Darien until 1903 when in response to poor coverage and response times in the northwestern section of town, known as Noroton Heights, the Noroton Heights Fire Department was created.
Noroton Heights FD’s first firehouse was located in a blacksmith's shop behind founder William Dugdale's store. It later moved to what was a one-room schoolhouse located on Linden Avenue. The department's main coverage concern was the Noroton Heights business area and the residential areas extending to the town of New Canaan to the north.
[edit] The First Two Fires
[edit] First Fire
The first fire the department responded to was November 25, 1903 at about 10:30 pm at the Noroton Heights railroad freight house. The fire was reportedly under control in ten minutes and was completely extinguished by 11:15 PM. One of the firemen at the scene noted that the building would have burned completely to the ground if it were not for the good work of the department and the prompt response to the alarm. The railroad sent a check for $50 and a thank you note to the department. There were approximately eleven members at the fire.
[edit] Second Fire
The second fire was on February 4, 1904 at the Stamford Town Hall. Mayor Leeds of the city of Stamford requested outside assistance. The Noroton Heights Fire Department was the first out-of-town department to arrive, followed by Greenwich, Port Chester, and Bridgeport. The Noroton Heights firemen responded on foot with “The Gig” until a horse and wagon was located and dispatched to assist in transport. Due to the cold weather and the faulty charging of “The Gig's” chemical system, the water in the system froze and rendered the apparatus out of service. The Noroton Heights firemen could only assist Stamford firefighters with the equipment that was already on scene. After the fire, the Noroton Heights firemen brought the Gig back on founder William Dugdale's sleigh. The supplies arrived back at the station around 1:30 am the next morning.
[edit] Continued Growth
As the Noroton Heights Fire Department acquired new equipment and additional members, it was necessary to find a new facility to house this equipment. Land for a new firehouse was bought in 1916 on Hecker Avenue in the area of what is now called Ledge Road. The members of the fire department at that time purchased the lumber and materials and constructed the firehouse themselves. When the building was done in 1917, the department purchased its first gas-powered vehicle.
During the next 56 years, the Noroton Heights Fire Department continued to grow. It gained many new members and purchased additional equipment. Fundraising events were held to acquire new trucks and equipment and to improve the firehouse. In 1921, the firehouse had electric lights installed. At this time there were twenty-two fire hydrants installed in the Noroton Heights fire district. In 1922, the department purchased its first pumper, a 350-gallon Packard, which remained in service for fifteen years. Additionally a small REO house truck, in doubtful condition, was purchased in 1925. Sometime that year the fire department also purchased more land next to the firehouse, a 1920 REO ladder truck, and an AM radio. In 1933, the department bought a new 1933 REO hose truck with a Pirsch pump. In 1937, the Noroton Heights Fire Department purchased a Seagrave pumper truck. This same year a Dalmatian (dog) mascot, named Major, was acquired.
In 1939, the fire department was incorporated and given the official name of "Noroton Heights Fire Department Incorporated". In 1949, a "picture-box" TV was purchased for $435. A Seagrave City ladder truck was obtained and the 1920 Reo ladder truck was sold to the Trumbull Volunteer Fire Company for $200. 1949 also marked the year of the first firehouse telephone. In 1950 a new Mack pumper was purchased and the 1933, Reo pumper was sold to Swayerville Fire Company in Pennsylvania for $750. The cost of the new Mack pumper was approximately $8,300.
In 1951, plans to run the Connecticut Turnpike, now known as Interstate 95, through the Noroton Heights business district forced the fire department to relocate and build a new firehouse. The Noroton Heights Fire Department bought the land at it is current location, 209 Noroton Avenue, from the Town of Darien for $1.00. This same year shortwave radios were also installed in all Darien fire trucks at an estimated cost of $2,670. In 1954, the new building was completed and the fire department took residence at the new facility. The dedication and cornerstone ceremonies took place on May 29, 1955.
[edit] Alert Systems
The alert systems used to notify members to an alarm call began with a brake shoe from a train which was used as a gong. In 1922, a whistle was installed which was operated by a town telephone operator. In 1933, the fire whistle operation was transferred to the Darien Police Department. Around 1958 the department instituted an alarm radio alert system. Members received home radio systems to be alerted to fire calls by a police dispatcher that announced the location and type of call that it was. This system was especially useful at night when the firemen might not hear the whistle or for those who lived too far away to hear it. The system was not much different from the current system that consists of pagers and supplementary alpha alert systems, which are still dispatched by the town police dispatcher.
[edit] Apparatus
The Noroton Heights FD’s apparatus consists of:
[edit] Truck 20
A 1988 Mack CF 688FC Quint with an all aluminum body, 1,500 GPM Waterous Pump, 500 gallon UPF Poly-tank, 1,000' of 5 hose, a 75' three section R.K. Aerials ladder, 139' of ground ladders, as well as a 4 preconnected deck gun curb sides.
[edit] Engine 21
A 1983 Mack CF Pumper with a 1,250 GPM pump, 750 gallon tank and 1,100' of 5" hose. The engine also carries a combination Hurst tool.
[edit] Tanker 22
A 1975 Mack CF Tanker with a 1,250 GPM pump, 2,000 gallon tank and 2,500 gallon portable tank. There are three air operated dump chutes in the rear. All chutes can be operated from the cab or the exterior of the vehicle. There are two 3" ball valves for filling from the rear of the truck.
[edit] Engine 23
A 1989 Mack CF Pumper Rescue with a 2006 Marion built body, 1,500 GPM pump, 600 gallon tank, 1,700' of 5" hose a 10 KW diesel generator and Hurst spreaders and cutters pre-connected with a simultaneous pump. This apparatus was procured from the Fire Department of New York in 2005, where it was used at the Fire Academy on Randall’s Island as a training apparatus.
[edit] Rescue 25
A 1989 Mack Rescue with a Marion Rescue walk in style body with 20 KW PTO generator, light tower, weather station, fax machine and Hurst spreaders and cutters pre-connected with a simultaneous pump.
[edit] Utility 24
A 1991 Chevy 1500 Silverado pick-up truck used as a utility vehicle.
[edit] Unit 200
A 2003 Chevy Suburban used as an Incident Command Vehicle and Chief’s vehicle.
[edit] Tanker 23 (Retired)
A 1968 Mack CF Tanker with a 750 GPM pump, 2,000 gallon tank and 2,500 gallon portable tank. After serving the department for 38 years of front line service, Noroton Heights Fire Department worked to preserve Tanker 23’s active duty by donating it to Lisbon Fire Department, in Lisbon, New Hampshire, where it will be used as a front line apparatus.
