Founded in 1835, the Somerville Fire Department depends on volunteer staffing from more than 100 members and mutual aid from neighboring towns when needed. One housed at four stations throughout the borough, since 2025 the Departmen's equipment and staff are now housed under one roof in the Public Safety Complex at 85 North Gaston Avenue with the Police Department. The Companies include; Engine 1, mini-pumper 1(initial attack engine); West End Hose (Engine 3; Lincoln Hose (Engine 4); Central Hook and Ladder (Truck 1); and Engine 5 (1941Mack pumper used for parades and ceremonial purposes).
1890s Engine 1 leather fire helmet are among various protective gear innovations on display.
Post WW2 regulated compressed air breathing apparatus; current lightweight version of mask and tank will keep a firefighter supplied safely for half-an-hour.
Installed in 1903, the pull-box alarm system of alerting firefighters by bell and ticker tape to the location of a fire was an innovation then seen only in big cities.
An 1850 hand pumper, the Jersey Blue, used muscle and coordination to draft and pour 80 gallons of water on a fire. Here, as it does every second weekend in October, adults and kids actually pumpwater across Doughty Ave.
Delivered to Somerville in 1873 and thought to be the first of its kind county-wide, the horse drawn Amoskeag Steam Pumper was capable of pumping 500 gallons per minute when fully operational.
West End Hose Company, circa 1890, soon after the new fire station and now fully restored Museum was put into service one of the town's four volunteer fire companies.
Massive early 1900s downtown fire at the corner of Main and Maple streets brought firefighters as well as spectators to the scene.
A 1950s blaze destroyed a gift shop, shoe store and three other structures on West Main Street.
Protective gear included a gas mask for firefighters.
Commemorative ribbons from the 1911 Fireman’s Day Celebration
A Look Inside
Two floors of exhibits and artifacts include a pre-Civil War hand pumper and a horse pulled steam engine.
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Joshua Home
New York Times
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New York Times
