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After a
disastrous fire in 1860, a group of citizens met for the
purpose of procuring an engine and other equipment necessary
to protect the center of the Town. Some sixty men subscribed
to this organization and a collection of $1195 made it
possible to purchase an engine and 200 feet of hose.
On August 1, 1863 the by-laws of the Association were adopted
and the first tax was levied in January of 1864. Land was
purchased on Railroad Street and a fire house was constructed at
a cost of $900. In April of 1874 the Association requested
the New Milford Water Company to install lines and hydrants |
within the district. In 1876, a new hose cart and hose were
purchased and the engine house was from this date known as the Hose
House.
In early 1883 larger quarters were needed and the Association
purchased a site on Church Street and its construction was completed
in 1890. In 1891 the Directors gave the Hose Company permission to
use the fire equipment "outside of its district" and this practices
continues to this day.
After the major fire of 1902, the Association requested the New
Milford Water Company to increase its mains to |
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"supply adequate pressure to the
hydrants." and a 12-inch line was installed through the business
areas.
In April of 1916 the Association purchased its first automotive fire
truck and served the community until it was retired and solid in
1935. In March of 1923, an American LaFrance combination Pumper and
Hose Cart was purchased and remained in service until 1952.
In January of 1926, the present Air Whistle Alarm System was
installed and controlled by the operators of the Southern New
England Telephone Company.
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In May of 1941, the
Association purchased one of the most modern pieces of fire
equipment to be seen anywhere in this area -- a combination pumper,
hose and ladder truck. In 1956, all mobile units were equipped with
radio and a control station was placed in the Hose House.
In this same year, the need for larger and more modern quarter
became evident and property on Grove Street was purchased. The present firehouse was completed in 1960 featuring a meeting room
upstairs and five truck pays with a sixth bay added in 1986. |
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In
1980 the town built a four-bay substation in the Lanesville
district substantially improving the fire protection for the
southern part of New Milford. In the late 1990's, three more
bays were added bring the total number of bays to seven.
In the late 1980's, two additional
bays were added to the back of the Grove Street fire house. In
1989, Water Witch Hose Co. #2 took delivery of their 102-foot
aerial ladder truck.
From its
beginnings in the mid 19th century until today, the Water Witch Hose
Company No. 2 has proudly served and protected the citizens and
property of the greater New Milford area. |
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142 years...Hundreds of Citizen Volunteers...A rich history with a bright future for New Milford.
Current Officers of
Water Witch Hose Co. 2
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Kevin Reynolds |
Chief |
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Dwayne Acton |
1st Assistant Chief |
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James Galbraith |
2nd Assistant Chief |
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Jeff Emmons |
Captain |
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Phil Espitee Jr. |
1st Lieutenant |
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James Ferlow |
2nd Lieutenant |
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George Buckbee |
President |
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Dean Newkirk |
Secretary |
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Lyn Miller |
Treasurer |
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Paul Thurlow |
Steward |
Past Fire Chiefs - Water Witch
Hose Co. No. 2
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Phil Planz |
1901 - 1903 |
Ed Plumb |
1948 - 1948 |
Ralph
Leavenworth |
1979 - 1980 |
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Joe La Hait |
1904 - 1904 |
Russ V.
Carlson |
1949 - 1949 |
Alan Tiebout |
1981 - 1982 |
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Charles Planz |
1905 - 1905 |
Charles D.
Couch |
1950 - 1951 |
Robert Moore
Jr. |
1983 - 1985 |
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John F. Addis |
1906 - 1907 |
Charles R.
Ohmen |
1952 - 1953 |
Kenneth Bailey |
1986 - 1987 |
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Henry Donnelly |
1908 - 1910 |
Thomas J.
Leahey |
1954 - 1956 |
Robert B.
Webster |
1988 - 1989 |
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William J. Clark |
1911 - 1918 |
Gordon Lewis |
1957 - 1958 |
Alan Hall |
1990 - 1991 |
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Thomas E. Leahey |
1919 - 1925 |
John Noble |
1959 - 1960 |
Dean Newkirk |
1992 - 1994 |
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Timothy J. McMahon |
1926 - 1927 |
James R.
Hulton Jr. |
1961 - 1963 |
Robert Zaloski |
1995 - 1996 |
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Harry Northrop |
1928 - 1928 |
Ambrose McGill |
1964 - 1965 |
Glen Krizan |
1997 - 1999 |
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Leo Murphy |
1929 - 1929 |
Thomas
Carlisle Jr. |
1966 - 1967 |
Dwayne Acton |
2000 - 2001 |
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Reuben Warner |
1930 - 1931 |
Harry H.
Taylor Jr. |
1968 - 1969 |
Donald Hapke |
2002- 2003 |
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Boynton Ferriss |
1932 - 1933 |
John Dyer |
1970 - 1971 |
Steven Budrow |
2004 - 2004 |
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Lynn Deming |
1934 - 1939 |
Alan Law |
1972 - 1973 |
Patrick Maguire |
2005-2006 |
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Ken Taylor |
1940 - 1945 |
James Caldwell |
1974 - 1976 |
Kevin Reynolds |
2006- |
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Paul Richmond |
1946-1947 |
Frank Hapke
Jr. |
1977 - 1978 |
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