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History of the Litchfield Fire Department:
The center of the town of Litchfield Connecticut had been devastated by fire in 1886 and again in 1888.In response to this, The Litchfield Fire Company was organized in 1890.
The department started with 44 charter members, and in November of 1890 the department had a ladder truck "Litchfield Hook and Ladder No. 1". The department grew to 75 members in 1891, and those members were issued their first badges. Water systems with hydrants and a new firehouse (see photo) were built and put into service in 1892. The new firehouse was a gift of J. Deming Perkins, and was built next to the county jail in the center of town. It was outfitted with a finished basement, an equipment room on the first floor, a billiard and meeting room on the second floor and a hospital ward on the third floor for injured firemen.
In the early 1900's, the department ranks grew to over 125 members along with the need for additional equipment. Large fires in 1913 and 1914 made it clear the department needed more advanced equipment capable of fighting fire away from town. Mrs. Ella Coe and Mrs. W.H.K. Godfrey donated an American LaFrance pumper to the department in 1917. Additional motorized fire equipment was added in 1928 and again in 1943 (see photos on Apparatus page). The company struggled during wartime with manpower shortages, and experienced some major fires and an airplane crash in town. The fire of note was the destruction of the St. Anthony’s church on South Street in October of 1944.
During the 1950's and 60's, the department saw additional changes and upgrades with two-way FM radios installed, home alert “Plectrons”, new uniforms and additional apparatus. Added in this period was a Brush Truck, Pumper and a 1500 gal. tanker. A major move in 1967 saw the department leave it's quarters of 75 years and move into a new $150,000 firehouse on West Street, its current location.
During the 1970's and 80's, the department added a critical piece of apparatus to its fleet. A 1953 Maxim 75-foot aerial ladder was purchased from the Valhalla NY Fire Department for $22,000. This aerial was also refurbished in 1988, and did provide many years of service to the company. Also during this period a Large Diameter hose truck, a 1977 Peterbilt with 4000' of 5 inch hose, was added to the fleet. Fire Personnel also were impacted in this period for the department with the first female firefighter and a Junior Corps. Litchfield also lost two landmark Inns to fire, the Kilravock and Meeting House (former Westleigh Inn).
In 1982, 1985 and 1986 Litchfield upgraded its fleet further with an Army Surplus Brush Truck, a 2500 gallon tanker and a 1250gpm/1250 gallon Pierce Dash Pumper.
Over the 117 years of the Litchfield Fire Company's history, it has had 15 chiefs. It's chiefs had held that position anywhere from 2 to 23 years.
For our past and current apparatus, see the Apparatus page. And for recent activities like fires, fund-raisers, etc... see the photos page.
More recent LFD history to follow.....
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