1900-1935 1935-1960 1960-1975 1975- Present In 1935 the old combination truck, almost twenty years old was replaced by a new city service ladder truck for the purchase price of $8500. This truck came equipped with several hundred feet of ground ladders, a small pump, two large flood lights and assorted small firefighting tools. In 1940 the Board of Fire Engineers have requested and received approval for the purchase of a new 750 gallon per minute pumping engine for $9500 which replaced the pumper bought in 1925. In 1941 in cooperation with the Albert T. Wood American Legion Post an auxiliary firefighting force was formed to assist the regular fire department force. In 1942 the fire siren alarm was replaced with a new up-to-date fire signal horn (purchase price = $4000) because it was not loud enough to be heard by many of the callmen and not distinctive enough to be able to count the box number. In addition, magneto phones were placed in the homes of the callmen and activated by a base phone at the fire station or the chief's house. In September 1946 a new 600 gallon per minute Triple Combination Pumper was delivered to the town at a purchase price of $7500. This truck had a 300 gallon water tank, 1000 feet of hose, a ladder and other fire department tools. On December 16, 1946 the first of two disasterous fires struck the First National Store at 408-410 Longmeadow Street. The fire did extensive damage to the whole block and totally destroyed all of the contents of the food store. The fire apparently started from an overheated hot plate used by the employees to make coffee. On March 23, 1947 in the early morning hours, a spectacular fire destroyed the Turner Park Hofbrau on Williams Street. This club was a big attraction in this area as it operated like a New York night club. Turner Park Hofbrau On February 21, 1954 a second fire struck at the First National Store which took almost three hours to bring under control and resulted in about $50,000 worth of damage. During the height of the firefighting operations one fireman fell through the floor into the cellar. Another fireman who was standing nearby put a hose line down into the hole to keep the fire away from the man in the cellar allowing him to make his way out of the building with only a cut hand. Firefighters poured water into the structure for about 10 hours after the fire was brought under control. In 1956 a new Maxim Aerial Ladder truck equipped with a 65 foot ladder was delivered to replace the 21 year old City Service truck. In 1958 Chief Breck retired after 35 years of service with the fire department. At this time the town decided to organize a permanent department with 24 hours/ 7 days a week coverage at the fire station. Four full time positions were created with two shifts of two men each working 24 hours a day every other day. James E. O'Brien of Haydenville, Massachusetts was appointed as the new fire chief on December 1, 1959. In 1958 a special town meeting approved an appropriation of $235,000 for construction of a new fire and police building.