On the evening of March 13, 1896, a meeting of the Broad Brook Company Woolen Mill was called to orderby William Lasbury, Assistant Superintendant of the plant.The purpose of the meeting was to organize a fire department. A constitution was drafted and officers elected. Offically becoming the Broad Brook Company Fire Department.
Initally thrity-five men enrolled into the department, led by its first Fire Chief, F.F. Stunz. To get the new fire department operational, the Broad Brook Company purchased the newly organized fire department a hand drawn hose reel (below) with one-thousand feet of the 2-1/2 inch hose, two 1-1/8 inch standard underwriter nozzles, two firefighter axes, one prybar, and twelve leather buckets.
Broad Brook at the time did not have orginized water pipe system for fire hydrant, in fact the only hydrants in the center of Broad Brook were on the Broad Brook Company property. Even those hydrants carried enough pressure to operate the plumbing and fire sprinkler system within the building. In the event that there was a fire, directions were given to the engineers of the fire department on how to start the Buffalo Steam Pump that would boost the water pressure in the fire hydrants.
The Broad Brook Company Fire Department main objective was to protect the properties of the Broad Brook Company, which included houses in the area of the Mill that housed the foremen and superintendants. The Broad Brook Company Fire Department would respond to fires in the remainder of the town, but chanced leaving the mill unprotected and not having a water supply to fight the fire.
During the first year of operation the Broad Brook Company Fire Department responded to four fires. Each of the four fire were within the one-thousand feet distance from the Broad Brook Company hydrants.
One of the fires was located at the C.A. Arnold's store on Main Street on the north west corner of the bridge. The flames on the first floor were quickly extinguished, but the fire crept up through the particions to the second floor and third floors, where it could not be reached by ladders or hose lines. On August 8, 1896, the firefighters held their first fundraiser. This plus a dance on Thanksgiving Eve give the firefighter enough proceeds to add rubber boots and coats to their department.
In 1902, the department purchased a hand-drawn chemical wagon that carried 2-1/2 gallon soda/acid chemical extinquishers, with twelve reloads, several leather buckets, an axe, and a prybar. The chemical wagon was pulled to the scene of the fire by four firefighters that would take turns with other firefighters. According to past records' "The best results were not to start at a dead run because the men were to tired to fight the fire when they reached the scene."
The Broad Brook Company Fire Department purchased its first motorized piece of fire apparatus in 1924. The fire apparatus was a 1924 American LaFrance Brockway-Torpedo chemical and hose truck with two 35-gallon soda/acid chemical tanks and 1,000 feet of hose. This fire apparatus (Below) is currently owned my an honorary member of the Broad Brook Fire Department and has been fully restored to its original condition.
In 1929, The fire department purchased it's second piece of motorized fire apparatus. A 1929, American LaFrance/GMC equipped with a 500-gallon per minute pump, 80-gallon water tank and 200 feet of 3/4 inch booster line. This truck had the ability to draft water from a pond or stream. This became essential as the fire department was now responding to fire in the entire town of East Windsor.
In 1933, a second fire department was formed. "Company 2" consisted of citizens of the town and not employees of the mill. It was this year that Benjamin S. Hanson was appointed as Fire Chief of Company 1 and Company 2, after F. F. Stunz retired.
In 1940, A second hand fire apparatus from the Old Saybrook Fire Department was puchased. In its original condition it was another 1924 American LaFrance Broackway-Tordedo. This truck was retrofitted with a 300-gallon per minute pump, 300-gallon water tank and a duel axle rear-end.
Several years and several fires later, in 1946 the fire department purchased a 1946 American LaFrance. This truck was equipped witha 500-gallon per minute pump and a 500-gallon water tank, along with ladders, and various other fire equipment.
Some time between 1946 and 1956, the Broad Brook Company Woolen Mill closed it's doors and Hamilton Standard (maker of aircraft parts) bought the factory for it's space. The Broad Brook Company Fire Department continued the provide service to the town and became incorporated as a volunteer fire department. Also in 1956, Hamilton Standard gave the Broad Brook Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. a new fire house with a rental of 1 dollar per year and the fire apparatus were equipped with brand new two-way radios on the Hartford County fire frequency This allowed he Broad Brook Fire Department to be able to communicate with surrounding fire departments within Hartford County.
In 1957, The fire department purchased a brand new International/Howe pumper (below), equipped with a 750-gallon per-minute pump, and 1000-gallon tank. This pumper remained in-service until 1997.
In 1960, The Broad Brook Vol. Fire Department hit Hollywood, being part of the cast in the movie "Parish", Starring a young Carol O'Conner (Archie Bunker). In the movie, a tobacco shed on the Daly farm was set afire and the firefighters actually fought the blaze while the cameras rolled. Several stories were passed on through the ages. One that is often recalled, the firefighters took Carol O'Conner out drinking, and had gotten him so tipsy, that he couldn't say his lines. Other story tells of how the starring cast, movie set workers had set up a large dinner for the filming crew and cast in a tobacco shed. For some reason or another the firefighters were not invited to partake in the festivities. As the event was at night, the shed was lit using the fire departments portable generators. So, the firefighters shut down the generators and started putting them back on the truck to go home. The producer of the film quickly changed his mind and invited the firefighters in.
On January 24, 1961, The Broad Brook Vol. Fire Department fought one of it's most memorable fires. It was 2:00 AM and approximately 23 degrees below zero when flames broke through the roof of the East Windsor Town Hall. Several towns were called in to assist in extinguishing the blaze. But, with cold temperatures, fire pumps freezing, and firefighters suffering frostbite, the landmark was guttened.
In 1971 The Broad Brook Fire Department formed the Junior Fire Division. This group of young men from the ages of sixteen to twenty was instituted to help prepare and train young individuals to become firefighters. The Junior Division member do everything from operating pumps, to packing hose, but are restricted from entering burning buildings. Also in 1971, the Broad Brook Fire Department celebrated it's 75th anniversary with a larger than usual annual parade.
On January 7, 1976, Chief Charles Staiger retired after 26 years of dedicated service as Chief. Edward Loos Sr. was elected as his successor.
On October of 1978, The Broad Brook Fire Department celebrated the ground breaking of it's new fire headquarters on the site that once housed the town hall prior to the fire the razed the structure. Construction on this new facility was completed in June of 1980 and a dedication was held.
Also in 1980, Edward Loos Sr. retired as Fire Chief and Gerald Hoffman was elected into the position and the Broad Brook Fire Department purchased a 1974 Ford Panel van to be used at a rescue truck and carried the Jaws of Life. Firefighter quickly learned how to operate this lifesaving equipment.
In 1983, 35 members for the fire department completed the newly adopted Connecticut State Firefighter I Certification course. The Broad Brook Fire Department was one of the first fire departments in the State of Connecticut to get it's membership certified in the Connecticut State Firefighter I training program.
In 1984, 15 members of the rescue team were certified in Basic Vehicular Rescue along with several members of the Ellington Fire Department and 12 members completed and passed the Medical Response Technician course. This medical course gave the firefighters the ablilty to medically assist persons in trapped in a motor vehicle accident while other firefighters used the Jaws of Life to extricate them.
In June of 1985, Chief Gerald Hoffman retired as Chief of the department and William Loos Jr. was elected to the position.
Also in 1986, the Broad Brook Fire Department was dispatched to the worse fire that it will come to know. The old Broad Brook Company Property, the founder of the Broad Brook Fire Department, erupted into flames while the building was being renovated. As the fire sprinkler system was shut down for the renovation, the fire quickly spread as firefighters scrambled to try to save as much of the building as posible. Firefighters from many surrounding towns were called in to assist. Firefighter battled the blaze for three days before the last fire truck left the scene. Fortunately no firefighters were seriously injured during the firefight.
In 1989, The fire department received delivery of a Mack MC/Ranger class A pumper to replace the old tired Engine 2 (1967 Ford Super Duty).
In February of 1990, Three courageous firefighter fought through heat, smoke and flame to rescue a four year old girl trapped in an apartment fire at the Mill Pond Village Apartments. These tree firefighter received the State of Connecticut's highest award for lifesaving at the annual Connecticut State Firefighter's Convention.
In December of 1993, the fire alarm sounded reporting a structure fire with persons trapped. Firefighter quickly arrived and rushed into the fully engulfed house and emerged from a second floor window with a female victim. Saving her from the smoke and flames that gutted the house.
In 1996 the department added a 1996 AM General Hum-V/W.S. Darley mini pumper to be used for forest firefighting. Also that year the Broad Brook Fire Department hosted the 113th annual Connecticut Firefighter Convention to celebrate it's 100 years of dedicated service to the Town of Easy Windsor.
In September of 2001, a Firefighter/EMT with the Broad Brook Fire Department received the State of Connecticut ceertificate of merit award for saving the life of a five year old that had been struct by a tractor trailer. This firefighter just happened to drive up on the scene, seconds after it had happened and it was his medical training and quick call for assistance, including the Hartford Hospital LifeStar helicopter that gave the non-breathing child the chance at survival.
Today, the Broad Brook Fire Department is stronger, more educated and dedicated to providing the highest degree of protection of life and property to the people of East Windsor. It's couragious team of 65 members perform life safety and property protection on a 24 hour basis. This 65 member team lead by Fire Chief L. Cal Myers, Assistant Chief Jay Madigan, was well as fully competant and knowledgable line officers is ready to face any challenge that it may be called to.
At this time, the Broad Brook Fire Department wishes to thank all of it's members for their dedicated service and to the citizens of the Town of East Windsor for their support.
"We are here to make history, this history will continue!"
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