Concord Firefighters IAFF Local 1942

Representing Concord Firefighters for 40 years

About Us

History of the Concord Fire Department

The town of Concord is a town filled with history. Concord was settled in 1635 by about a dozen families, most coming from England especially for that purpose.

On April 19, 1775 Concord and Lexington fought and won the first battle of the American Revolution. The Concord Fire Department is also rich in history of its own;

Organized fire protection in Concord dates as far back as 1794 when a Fire Society was formed and owned one small hand engine with a bucket filled tub. "Each member of which was required to keep in readiness for use, two leather buckets, a ladder and a large canvas bag. It was expected that each member at the alarm of a fire, would seize his buckets and bag and go to the scene and help save the property from destruction."

This Fire Society continued until a municipal fire department was established in 1855. During that year, the department was called out three times, all to the Pail Factory, for building fires, and had a total appropriation of $288.90.

In 1874 the beginning of the public water system was introduced into Concord center, and continued to grow throughout the years. In 1899 Town Meeting voted for the installation of a fire alarm system to be installed and maintained by the municipal light plant.

The fire Departments saw it's first permanent member in 1915, a man by the name of Royden A. Bass, and was assigned to the central station. By 1935 full-time firefighters increased by 5, including the appointment of the first permanent Fire Chief, Harry Tuttle. In these early days, the permanent men were assigned to "…be on duty at all times…" and in addition to an annual vacation, were allowed "one day off (twenty-four hours) in every seven days".

Following a vote at the 1940 Annual Town Meeting, a committee was formed to investigate pensions for Town employees including the permanent men of the Fire Department. Both the committee and the selectmen unanimously recommended the adoption of a contributory pension system. The recommendation was placed before the citizens and a pension system was established thereafter.

On January 1, 1951 the ambulance was transferred from the Police Department to the fire Department and housed in the West Concord Fire Station. During that year, the department responded to 141 medical calls, including service to many area towns.

In 1954, the department consisted of 19 permanent men, which included the appointment of the first permanent Deputy Chief/Deputy Forest Warden, Harry A. Patterson.

In 1956, three additional men were hired to increase the shift strength to eight, one captain and seven privates. Each was assigned to one of three platoons and worked an average a56-hour workweek.

On october1, 1960, the fire department moved into it's new headquarters at 209 Walden street, where it remains today. The former headquarters station at 16 Walden Street was closed and later became the Walden Station Sandwich Shop.

At the Annual Town Meeting in March 1968, approval was given to hire four additional men. This would provide the same shift coverage, while reducing the workweek to 48 hours. It wasn’t until 1977 that the Department manning was increased to 32 permanent members plus the Fire Chief.

In 1982 the department established the position of the Lieutenant to be the company officer of the West Concord Engine Company. The first four members to be promoted to Lieutenant were Paul Denaro, Walter Macone, Robert Robinson and Earl Stone.

In 2007 the town added 4 firefighters (1 per shift) to the ranks thought the Safer Grant. The Safer Grant paid a decreasing percentage of the firefighter’s salary over a four year period. The firefighter’s fifth year salary must be fully funded by the Concord Fire Department budget.

Starting July 1 2014 the Department implemented its EMS Strategic Plan. This plan calls for the addition of a second ambulance that will be stationed at the West Concord Fire Station and staffed from 0800 hrs to 2000 hrs. Four new members were hired to staff this position.

July 29 2019 an additional 4 firefighters were added to the department to bring shift staffing to 11 line staff per shift. The additional staff were assigned to Ambulance 3 in West Concord to expand the availability to 24 hours a day.

April 2021 the Department created and promoted 4 firefighters to the rank of Lieutenant. These new Lieutenants were assigned to Engine 3 in Concord. Shift staffing remained at 11.

Currently we operate with four shifts of eleven; one captain, two lieutenants and eight firefighters. A captain (the shift commander) is in Car 3, a Lieutenant and two firefighters are assigned to the Concord engine and two firefighters are assigned to cross-man the ambulance and the Ladder Company. A lieutenant and 2 firefighters are assigned to the West Concord Engine, two firefighters are assigned to West Concord ambulance. The full shift strength of 11 members will drop to 10 if anyone is out sick, injured or vacation. We also have a fulltime fire prevention officer that works Monday - Thursday.


The department supports a small call firefighter division. Currently there is only one member of the call department.




REFERENCES:
History of the Concord Massachusetts Fire Department;
Robert M. Washburn

Rules and Regulations of the Concord Fire Department;
Town of Concord; May 1, 1935

Conversations with retired and current members