Swampscott Fire Department

About Us

Swampscott Fire Dept Downsizes

Thomas Chadwell graduated from the 12-week State Firefighting Academy training on June 22, 2007. He is now a Nationally Certified Firefighter, Hazardous Materials Technician, as well as being an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

Unfortunately Swampscott will not reap the benefits of his recent and rigorous training due to budget cuts. As of June 27th, Firefighter Chadwell was laid off from the Town of Swampscott in addition to the loss of two other positions that will be lost to attrition.

While greatly disappointed after having been hired as recently as last fall, Firefighter Chadwell is hopeful to secure a job in a nearby community, and the Swampscott Fire Department wishes him great success. In addition to losing Firefighter Chadwell to budget cuts, Swampscott Fire Department will lose one job to attrition as of July, and will continue to have two vacancies.

Currently, three of our four groups have eight firefighter/EMTs, one has nine. The difference between having eight and nine is that with nine firefighters, there is enough people to operate two engines and one ladder truck, rather than only one engine and one ladder truck. When only operating one engine and one ladder, Swampscott is heavily reliant on surrounding town's firefighters for mutual aid.

History of the Swampscott Fire Department

To better understand the evolution of the Swampscott Fire Department, it is imperative to have a decent handle on the pertinent history of the town itself. The fire department that is in existence today is a result of the changing needs and resources alotted to it.

First Fire Engine and Firehouse
While still an annex of Lynn, Swampscott's first fire engine the "Assistant" (referred to in public documents as a "tiny little tub") was purchased in 1824. To house it and additional equipment, a firehouse was erected on Blaney Beach, and later relocated to New Ocean Street. In command of the fire department, was Ephraim Taylor, who had just returned to town from active military duty.

In 1845, the second fire engine (both of which were handtubs) was put into service. The crew of volunteer firefighters was said to be composed of "strong and jolly fishermen."

The "Atlantic #7" was renamed the "Atlantic #1" once Swampscott officially separated from the City of Lynn. Within a year, the Rockaway House (a local hotel) was destroyed in a fire and was never rebuilt.

An Atlantic Firehouse was built in 1847; it later served as the first Town Hall, and is currently a private residence.

Assessing Fire Protection in the 1800s
Within a decade of seceding from Lynn, Swampscott's founders began to focus on the town's infrastructure. The population had well surpassed 1,000, there were 79 dwellings, twelve large estates, and nearly a dozen hotels. Clearly, the needs of the community were rapidly developing.

In addition to concerns about road conditions, Selectmen acknowledged the need for fire protection for residents. In 1878, the first Engine Company (crew) was created.

Relying on handtubs was less than ideal in the instance of a serious fire. First, water had to be supplied to the ahndtub, which took time while the fire grew. At best, firefighters could use a nearby brook or a resident's private well to put the fire out. The ocean was rarely an option because it was too far from the fire scene to relay to the handtub.

First Crew of Professional Firefighters Hired
Over the next several years, the town grew from a small and pristine fishing community to one that invited industries like shoe-making to settle within the town's limits. At that time, the average house assessment in town was $1,800.

In the late 1800s a number of fires caused serious damage to local property.

In 1856, John Blaney's house was ignited by lightening

Children playing in a barn owned by the Fuller family burned, killing one child

Also in 1856, the Jonathan F. Phillips barn was destroyed in a fire, in which a famous mare ("Lady Lawrence," valued at $1,000) was burned to death

A single storm caused four house fires via lightening in 1880

Later that year, a mansion proved to be the most costly fire on Galloupes Point with $65,000 in damages (the equivalent of $1,281,150 in today's dollars).

As a result of these numerous fires, a committee concluded that if a widespread fire were to occur, the town would most likely be a complete loss. The current cadre of only a handful of firefighters, with limited equipment had a hard enough time limiting the extent of damage by relatively isolated fires.

Not only was it difficult to get access to a water supply when a call was received, coordinating the volunteer firefighters was equally as challenging. Most of them lived far from the hand tub, and at least as far from the location of the fire. Thus, following the committee's conclusion that the town was a serious risk to fire, thirty firefighters were hired to supplement the volunteer firefighters that were dedicated yet often unavailable.

Introduction of Fire Hydrants
For the next several years, the town discussed the costs and benefits of installing fire hydrants throughout the town. While the proposition kept being introduced to Selectmen, and even passed a town vote, the funding often stymied the implementation of the plan.

All it took was the utter destruction of Jonathan Blaney's property, on which two buildings were set, in a fire to change the reluctance of the town into action. Despite mutual assistance from both Marblehead and Lynn, the Blaney buildings were destroyed because the town had insufficient water resources.

Within six weeks, a special town meeting assembled to discuss three different plans to lay water mains for firefighting use. In a decisive vote, the plan was passed and fire hydrants were introduced as means of protecting the charming nature of the community.

To canvas the community, the hydrants were to be laid no more than four hundred feet apart, and extended to each of Swampscott's neighborhoods.

An Ailing Fire Department
Once the water supply for fighting fires was resolved, Swampscott residents were asked to address the issue of an ailing fire department. Prior to that, paid firefighters only received a token salary of $2 a year (equalling less than $40 today, and were exempt from military duty).

To remedy the discrepency between what firefighters were expected to do and what they were compensated, the town increased their salary by five fold in 1882. Two years later, it was increased again to $25 a year.

In addition to a fair wage, the town had to address in inefficiency of using a handtub for fire extinguishment. Even though each shift was manned by twelve professional firefighters, the antiquated pump did not allow them to operate at full capacity.

To upgrade from a handpump to a steam engine (a "Silsby" machine), the town alotted the fire department an additional $4,500 to its budget. The assembly and maintenance of the steam engine was donated by members of the fire department, including Mr. D.H. Pratt, who ensured that the water was always heated to a near boiling point, "thus making her ready for work immediately on arriving at a fire."

Within a year of purchasing the steam engine, an additional wagon and suction hose was purchased as a means of getting water from the ocean if needed; both proved to be far more efficacious than two handtubs.

At that time, firefighters were outfitted with straw hats and wagons with wheels of different sizes.

This significant investment into the relative viability of the fire department appeared to be the result of a number of fires over previous years, including the Ocean House hotel in 1882.

Audible Alarms and Horses
A fire in 1884 went unheard by Swampscott firefighters who arrived only to discover it extinguished by a Lynn engine crew. The ensuing decision by Swampscott Selectmen was to install an audible alarm system with seven boxes extending throughout the town. A bell tower was added to the Elihu Thomson Town Administration Hall; the bell was connected with a fire alarm system used to summon firefighters.

Eventually, a provision was made that discontinued the use of the Town Hall's audible alarm between 9pm and 8am. Therefore, during the day, alarms were transmitted from a central office, located within the Jeffer's Drug Store. At night, a man on duty at the engine house would be on hand to sound the alarm.

A few years later, a whistle was installed on Pine Street so as an additional to alert firefighters of an emergency.

The fire department horses that pulled the pump were housed at one end of town, so to compensate the town arranged a means of borrowing horses from Lynn when need towards that side of the town.

In 1889, Cullen's Blacksmith Shop was salvaged from a rapidly spreading fire before the engine arrived when volunteers attached a spare hose to a hydrant. Following that incident, spare house was deposited around town as an additional means of protecting Swampscott residents and their property.

Beginning in 1890, firefighters were also to send the "Atlantic" handtub to any fire as a backup measure for fire extinguishment.

A Second Fire House
A burgeoning population in 1904 called for a second fire house to be established. This one was located on Phillips Beach. Historical commentary on the community suggests it was especially well-groomed and managed.

Momentarily, the fire department considered recommending to the Selectmen that the Swampscott firehouse be connected to a Lynn firehouse that held a "chemical" fire engine.

However, that plan appears to have been replaced with the construction of a second firehouse in town. Shortly before the structure on Phillips Beach was erected, the firehouse on New Ocean was refurbished with five horses (to haul the engine to the scene of a fire), a ladder-truck, a two-horse wagon, the steamer, hose-reel and hose, and a horse stable.

The cost of feeding and caring for the horses was not included in the annual budget. To compensate for the cost of grains, harnesses, and vetrinary care, the five horses were frequently loaned to the highway department who then paid the town for the use of the animals.

To maintain the engine, handtub, and firefighting equipment, the town had to pay on average around $600 a year ($11,826 in todays dollars), for which the community members often protested.

Because of Fire, North Shore Communities Isolated
A bridge spanning the Saugus River burned down on June 17, 1921 cutting off the main traffic route to the North Shore. It was rebuilt within a month and life was returned to normal.

Once Considered the "Most Efficient" of its Time
In the late 1930s and '40s, the Swampscott Fire Department was considered to be among the most modern of its time. The Town Centennial is quoted as saying the department rated "among the highest for efficiency, equipped with modern apparatus, modern fire alarm system, lighted fire alarm boxes, public address unit, mobile two-way radios on all apparatus, two fire stations and excellent mutual aid arrangements."

At that time, the fire department consisted of a "Chief, Deputy Chief, five Captains and twenty-five regular members" (Privates). Additionally, the department was fortified by a well trained auxiliary crew of thirty-two firefighters.

Line-of-Duty Death Recorded
The Board of Fire Engineers, which no longer exists, announced the line-of-duty death of William J. Pratt. After returning from his service in the Army during World War II, a Swampscott firefighter Pratt was killed while fighting a fire in town on December 3, 1946. Today, William J. Pratt is honored by current firefighters who have created a scholarship in his name for aspiring college students who are related to retired or acting firefighters.

In additional news, the Board of Fire Engineers reported on the installation of a central telephone system meant to give the community better fire protection. Alarms originating from one end of town would be allocated to the firehouse on Phillips Beach Avenue, while others were directed to the crew housed at the New Ocean firehouse. If both houses were vacant at the time of a call, the Swampscott police would direct the Lynn Fire Alarm Headquarters, which would allow for full coverage of the town at a minimum expense.

At the time of the town's first recorded line-of-duty death, Swampscott's population increased more than six-fold to 6,000 residents. Yet, financial restraints on public spending were commonplace and the need for a Town Administrator was debated (however, the first ever hired did not occur until after the year 2000).

A Substandard Facility
In 1956, Town Meeting was presented with evidence that the Central Fire Station (on new Ocean Street) was unsafe and in dire need of repair.

In addition to the structure itself being in disrepair, the traffic that would congregate in front of the station made responding to an incident extraordinarily difficult.

Asking that funding not go to rehabilitating the structure, Chief Champion presented Swampscott Selectmen with the possibility of relocating the station to what was referred to as a "Consolidated Fire Station." Such a station was deemed to potentially meet the needs of the entire town. However, a further study clearly concluded that a single fire station was not sufficient or responsible for quick response times to town emergencies.

Not only would the residents of Swampscott be less safe with a central fire station, the insurance rates to property owners was sure to rise drastically beyond any savings of having two separate stations. In general, the Insurance Rating Association determined that a home owner was within reasonably safe distance from a firehouse if no more "than three-quarters of a mile" away.

Location for a Replacement Firehouse
Later in 1956, the town searched for the appropriate location of a replacement to the New Ocean firehouse.

Rise of a Resort Community
By this time, the fishing industry had decreased significantly, and the town was more of a residential than an industrial community. The construction of the New Ocean House and the Hotel Preston There, in addition to six other hotels, gave Swampscott the reputation of being a premier summer resort area. Unfortunately, in 1969, the New Ocean House was destroyed in a massive accidental fire (see video).

Just before 10pm on May 8, 1969, the lobby of the acclaimed New Ocean House Hotel was full involved in flames. Overnight, it went from being the attraction of the area that brought guests such as President John F. Kennedy, Advocate Helen Keller, Reverand Billy Graham, Author Sinclair Lewis, Comedians Harpo Marx, and Lucille Ball, among many other noteable individuals. The cause of the blaze was never officially determined, however, electricians were working on the site shortly before the fire was discovered.

The hotel was not rebuilt, instead it was used as a public park, playground, assisted living facility, and a series of townhouses; all of which still stand today.

Today's Swampscott Fire Department
Today the fire department has been reduced to only one firehouse (at 76 Burrill Street). With just one person more than it took to establish the town of Swampscott, the fire department works 24-hours a day to ensure safety for both the residents and their property.

Led by a Chief, there are four Captains, four Lieutenants, and thirty firefighters. Those who were appointed after 1987 have attended the rigorous 12-week Massachusetts State Fire Academy in Hudson, Massachusetts.

Swampscott Fire Department Answering the Call Since 1882 76 Burrill Street, Swampscott, MA 01907 Tel: 781-595-4050 - For Emergencies, call 911

Home Our Mission S.A.F.E. Program About Us Recent Recalls Fire Prevention/Safety Seasonal Tips Our Apparatus File Photos	About Us Swampscott Fire Dept Downsizes Thomas Chadwell graduated from the 12-week State Firefighting Academy training on June 22, 2007. He is now a Nationally Certified Firefighter, Hazardous Materials Technician, as well as being an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Unfortunately Swampscott will not reap the benefits of his recent and rigorous training due to budget cuts. As of June 27th, Firefighter Chadwell was laid off from the Town of Swampscott in addition to the loss of two other positions that will be lost to attrition. While greatly disappointed after having been hired as recently as last fall, Firefighter Chadwell is hopeful to secure a job in a nearby community, and the Swampscott Fire Department wishes him great success. In addition to losing Firefighter Chadwell to budget cuts, Swampscott Fire Department will lose one job to attrition as of July, and will continue to have two vacancies. Currently, three of our four groups have eight firefighter/EMTs, one has nine. The difference between having eight and nine is that with nine firefighters, there is enough people to operate two engines and one ladder truck, rather than only one engine and one ladder truck. When only operating one engine and one ladder, Swampscott is heavily reliant on surrounding town's firefighters for mutual aid. History of the Swampscott Fire Department To better understand the evolution of the Swampscott Fire Department, it is imperative to have a decent handle on the pertinent history of the town itself. The fire department that is in existence today is a result of the changing needs and resources alotted to it. First Fire Engine and Firehouse While still an annex of Lynn, Swampscott's first fire engine the "Assistant" (referred to in public documents as a "tiny little tub") was purchased in 1824. To house it and additional equipment, a firehouse was erected on Blaney Beach, and later relocated to New Ocean Street. In command of the fire department, was Ephraim Taylor, who had just returned to town from active military duty. In 1845, the second fire engine (both of which were handtubs) was put into service. The crew of volunteer firefighters was said to be composed of "strong and jolly fishermen." The "Atlantic #7" was renamed the "Atlantic #1" once Swampscott officially separated from the City of Lynn. Within a year, the Rockaway House (a local hotel) was destroyed in a fire and was never rebuilt. An Atlantic Firehouse was built in 1847; it later served as the first Town Hall, and is currently a private residence. Assessing Fire Protection in the 1800s Within a decade of seceding from Lynn, Swampscott's founders began to focus on the town's infrastructure. The population had well surpassed 1,000, there were 79 dwellings, twelve large estates, and nearly a dozen hotels. Clearly, the needs of the community were rapidly developing. In addition to concerns about road conditions, Selectmen acknowledged the need for fire protection for residents. In 1878, the first Engine Company (crew) was created. Relying on handtubs was less than ideal in the instance of a serious fire. First, water had to be supplied to the ahndtub, which took time while the fire grew. At best, firefighters could use a nearby brook or a resident's private well to put the fire out. The ocean was rarely an option because it was too far from the fire scene to relay to the handtub. First Crew of Professional Firefighters Hired Over the next several years, the town grew from a small and pristine fishing community to one that invited industries like shoe-making to settle within the town's limits. At that time, the average house assessment in town was $1,800. In the late 1800s a number of fires caused serious damage to local property. In 1856, John Blaney's house was ignited by lightening Children playing in a barn owned by the Fuller family burned, killing one child Also in 1856, the Jonathan F. Phillips barn was destroyed in a fire, in which a famous mare ("Lady Lawrence," valued at $1,000) was burned to death A single storm caused four house fires via lightening in 1880 Later that year, a mansion proved to be the most costly fire on Galloupes Point with $65,000 in damages (the equivalent of $1,281,150 in today's dollars). As a result of these numerous fires, a committee concluded that if a widespread fire were to occur, the town would most likely be a complete loss. The current cadre of only a handful of firefighters, with limited equipment had a hard enough time limiting the extent of damage by relatively isolated fires. Not only was it difficult to get access to a water supply when a call was received, coordinating the volunteer firefighters was equally as challenging. Most of them lived far from the hand tub, and at least as far from the location of the fire. Thus, following the committee's conclusion that the town was a serious risk to fire, thirty firefighters were hired to supplement the volunteer firefighters that were dedicated yet often unavailable. Introduction of Fire Hydrants For the next several years, the town discussed the costs and benefits of installing fire hydrants throughout the town. While the proposition kept being introduced to Selectmen, and even passed a town vote, the funding often stymied the implementation of the plan. All it took was the utter destruction of Jonathan Blaney's property, on which two buildings were set, in a fire to change the reluctance of the town into action. Despite mutual assistance from both Marblehead and Lynn, the Blaney buildings were destroyed because the town had insufficient water resources. Within six weeks, a special town meeting assembled to discuss three different plans to lay water mains for firefighting use. In a decisive vote, the plan was passed and fire hydrants were introduced as means of protecting the charming nature of the community. To canvas the community, the hydrants were to be laid no more than four hundred feet apart, and extended to each of Swampscott's neighborhoods. An Ailing Fire Department Once the water supply for fighting fires was resolved, Swampscott residents were asked to address the issue of an ailing fire department. Prior to that, paid firefighters only received a token salary of $2 a year (equalling less than $40 today, and were exempt from military duty). To remedy the discrepency between what firefighters were expected to do and what they were compensated, the town increased their salary by five fold in 1882. Two years later, it was increased again to $25 a year. In addition to a fair wage, the town had to address in inefficiency of using a handtub for fire extinguishment. Even though each shift was manned by twelve professional firefighters, the antiquated pump did not allow them to operate at full capacity. To upgrade from a handpump to a steam engine (a "Silsby" machine), the town alotted the fire department an additional $4,500 to its budget. The assembly and maintenance of the steam engine was donated by members of the fire department, including Mr. D.H. Pratt, who ensured that the water was always heated to a near boiling point, "thus making her ready for work immediately on arriving at a fire." Within a year of purchasing the steam engine, an additional wagon and suction hose was purchased as a means of getting water from the ocean if needed; both proved to be far more efficacious than two handtubs. At that time, firefighters were outfitted with straw hats and wagons with wheels of different sizes. This significant investment into the relative viability of the fire department appeared to be the result of a number of fires over previous years, including the Ocean House hotel in 1882. Audible Alarms and Horses A fire in 1884 went unheard by Swampscott firefighters who arrived only to discover it extinguished by a Lynn engine crew. The ensuing decision by Swampscott Selectmen was to install an audible alarm system with seven boxes extending throughout the town. A bell tower was added to the Elihu Thomson Town Administration Hall; the bell was connected with a fire alarm system used to summon firefighters. Eventually, a provision was made that discontinued the use of the Town Hall's audible alarm between 9pm and 8am. Therefore, during the day, alarms were transmitted from a central office, located within the Jeffer's Drug Store. At night, a man on duty at the engine house would be on hand to sound the alarm. A few years later, a whistle was installed on Pine Street so as an additional to alert firefighters of an emergency. The fire department horses that pulled the pump were housed at one end of town, so to compensate the town arranged a means of borrowing horses from Lynn when need towards that side of the town. In 1889, Cullen's Blacksmith Shop was salvaged from a rapidly spreading fire before the engine arrived when volunteers attached a spare hose to a hydrant. Following that incident, spare house was deposited around town as an additional means of protecting Swampscott residents and their property. Beginning in 1890, firefighters were also to send the "Atlantic" handtub to any fire as a backup measure for fire extinguishment. A Second Fire House A burgeoning population in 1904 called for a second fire house to be established. This one was located on Phillips Beach. Historical commentary on the community suggests it was especially well-groomed and managed. Momentarily, the fire department considered recommending to the Selectmen that the Swampscott firehouse be connected to a Lynn firehouse that held a "chemical" fire engine. However, that plan appears to have been replaced with the construction of a second firehouse in town. Shortly before the structure on Phillips Beach was erected, the firehouse on New Ocean was refurbished with five horses (to haul the engine to the scene of a fire), a ladder-truck, a two-horse wagon, the steamer, hose-reel and hose, and a horse stable. The cost of feeding and caring for the horses was not included in the annual budget. To compensate for the cost of grains, harnesses, and vetrinary care, the five horses were frequently loaned to the highway department who then paid the town for the use of the animals. To maintain the engine, handtub, and firefighting equipment, the town had to pay on average around $600 a year ($11,826 in todays dollars), for which the community members often protested. Because of Fire, North Shore Communities Isolated A bridge spanning the Saugus River burned down on June 17, 1921 cutting off the main traffic route to the North Shore. It was rebuilt within a month and life was returned to normal. Once Considered the "Most Efficient" of its Time In the late 1930s and '40s, the Swampscott Fire Department was considered to be among the most modern of its time. The Town Centennial is quoted as saying the department rated "among the highest for efficiency, equipped with modern apparatus, modern fire alarm system, lighted fire alarm boxes, public address unit, mobile two-way radios on all apparatus, two fire stations and excellent mutual aid arrangements." At that time, the fire department consisted of a "Chief, Deputy Chief, five Captains and twenty-five regular members" (Privates). Additionally, the department was fortified by a well trained auxiliary crew of thirty-two firefighters. Line-of-Duty Death Recorded The Board of Fire Engineers, which no longer exists, announced the line-of-duty death of William J. Pratt. After returning from his service in the Army during World War II, a Swampscott firefighter Pratt was killed while fighting a fire in town on December 3, 1946. Today, William J. Pratt is honored by current firefighters who have created a scholarship in his name for aspiring college students who are related to retired or acting firefighters. In additional news, the Board of Fire Engineers reported on the installation of a central telephone system meant to give the community better fire protection. Alarms originating from one end of town would be allocated to the firehouse on Phillips Beach Avenue, while others were directed to the crew housed at the New Ocean firehouse. If both houses were vacant at the time of a call, the Swampscott police would direct the Lynn Fire Alarm Headquarters, which would allow for full coverage of the town at a minimum expense. At the time of the town's first recorded line-of-duty death, Swampscott's population increased more than six-fold to 6,000 residents. Yet, financial restraints on public spending were commonplace and the need for a Town Administrator was debated (however, the first ever hired did not occur until after the year 2000). A Substandard Facility In 1956, Town Meeting was presented with evidence that the Central Fire Station (on new Ocean Street) was unsafe and in dire need of repair. In addition to the structure itself being in disrepair, the traffic that would congregate in front of the station made responding to an incident extraordinarily difficult. Asking that funding not go to rehabilitating the structure, Chief Champion presented Swampscott Selectmen with the possibility of relocating the station to what was referred to as a "Consolidated Fire Station." Such a station was deemed to potentially meet the needs of the entire town. However, a further study clearly concluded that a single fire station was not sufficient or responsible for quick response times to town emergencies. Not only would the residents of Swampscott be less safe with a central fire station, the insurance rates to property owners was sure to rise drastically beyond any savings of having two separate stations. In general, the Insurance Rating Association determined that a home owner was within reasonably safe distance from a firehouse if no more "than three-quarters of a mile" away. Location for a Replacement Firehouse Later in 1956, the town searched for the appropriate location of a replacement to the New Ocean firehouse. Rise of a Resort Community By this time, the fishing industry had decreased significantly, and the town was more of a residential than an industrial community. The construction of the New Ocean House and the Hotel Preston There, in addition to six other hotels, gave Swampscott the reputation of being a premier summer resort area. Unfortunately, in 1969, the New Ocean House was destroyed in a massive accidental fire (see video). Just before 10pm on May 8, 1969, the lobby of the acclaimed New Ocean House Hotel was full involved in flames. Overnight, it went from being the attraction of the area that brought guests such as President John F. Kennedy, Advocate Helen Keller, Reverand Billy Graham, Author Sinclair Lewis, Comedians Harpo Marx, and Lucille Ball, among many other noteable individuals. The cause of the blaze was never officially determined, however, electricians were working on the site shortly before the fire was discovered. The hotel was not rebuilt, instead it was used as a public park, playground, assisted living facility, and a series of townhouses; all of which still stand today. Today's Swampscott Fire Department Today the fire department has been reduced to only one firehouse (at 76 Burrill Street). With just one person more than it took to establish the town of Swampscott, the fire department works 24-hours a day to ensure safety for both the residents and their property. Led by a Chief, there are four Captains, four Lieutenants, and thirty firefighters. Those who were appointed after 1987 have attended the rigorous 12-week Massachusetts State Fire Academy in Hudson, Massachusetts.
Have questions or comments? Please contact us: Chief Richard Carmody • 781-595-4050 E-mail: info@swampscottfire.org For Emergencies, call 9-1-1