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The Cotuit Fire Department traces its beginnings back
to early 1900's. On November 15, 1912 the "Cotuit Chemical Company
No.1" was established to provide fire protection in the small port village
of Cotuit. Alexander Seabury Childs headed the fire company. A hand
drawn chemical type wagon with (2) 35 gallon tanks was acquired. 14
members joined the department that provided fire protection on a prescription
basis. On Dec 3, 1912 the fire company leased an "engine house"
on the property of Benjamin F. Sears. Twelve iron pales were
purchased. In 1916, Cotuit Chemical Company purchased a 1916 Ford Model T
/ American LaFrance motorized chemical pumper. It had (2) 25 gallon
chemical tanks, a ladder, some small tools. The "Model T" became
the FIRST MOTORIZED FIRE APPARATUS ON CAPE COD. This Model T is still
owned by Cotuit FD and is operable. In 1920, a more permanent "Engine
House" was constructed at the corner or Main Street & School Streets,
behind the store. In November 1923 a fire alarm siren / whistle was on top of
the Cotuit Cooperative Grocery Store on Main Street opposite School
Street. The 3 story building gave good elevation for the fire
whistle. In Feb 1924 the first telephone line was installed in the Cotuit
Fire House.
In late April 1924, a fire destroyed the Cotuit Grocery Store,
including the Variety Store, and Ice House. The recently installed fire
siren was recovered as a melted blob of metal following the fire. An
emergency meeting on May 1, 1924 authorized a new 3 hp siren at once.
Cotuit is a village within the Town of Barnstable. In 1896, the Hyannis
Fire District was established. Centerville-Osterville Fire District was
established in January 1926. On May 8, 1926 a bill to form a Fire District
in Cotuit was filed at the Boston State House. On June 18, 1926 the Cotuit
Fire District was established by a vote at Freedom Hall. On June 21, 1926
the members of the Cotuit Chemical Company voted to disband, disperse its funds
equally between its 12 members, and donate its property and equipment to the new
Cotuit Fire District. The Cotuit Fire District accepted the donated Model
T and equipment in Aug 1926. A Ford chassis truck carrying many shovels,
rakes, axes, and brooms was also added. In May 1927, a Fire District
meeting was held. An article for $25,000 to construct a fire house,
purchase a fire engine, and equipment was brought before Cotuit voters.
Weary voters however rejected the article by indefinite postponement. In
May 1929 voters approved purchase of a lot on High Street for $600 to build a
fire station on. Voters also voted to buy a 1927 Dodge fire truck, the
first owned by the Fire District. In 1930, a 160 gallon water tank was
added to the 1927 Dodge fire truck. The old engine house was eventually
moved to the High Street lot, but was too small for newer apparatus.
A May
1935 annual meeting vote once again rejected a request to build a new fire
station on High Street. They did however approve the ownership of the 1860
Freedom Hall building and property on Main Street for meetings, discussions,
debates, and other civic purposes. In May 1936 the Cotuit Fire District
approved formation of the Cotuit Water District. In 1937 Cotuit finally
began construction of a Fire Station on High Street....10 years after the
District formed. In 1947 a Dodge Power Wagon brush truck owned by the Town
of Barnstable Forest Fire Department was stationed in Cotuit. Cotuit
purchased its first used ambulance in June 1955. A used Cadillac ambulance
from Cape Cod Hospital was purchased in 1961 and operated in Cotuit until
about 1973 when it was purchased as West Barnstable's first
ambulance.. July 4, 1983, the Model T caught fire in the Independence
Day parade in Cotuit badly damaging Cotuit's first fire truck.
Fortunately, 5 years later it reappeared completely restored and in better shape
than ever. In 1990, the Cotuit Fire Station on High Street was completely
renovated, adding additional apparatus room space, office, and living quarters
to provide for future needs of the department.
Fires and Incidents in History
1917 - Mar 17 - The first run for the Model T was a run up to "Santuit"
for a fire at John Harlow's house about 7pm.
1921 - Jan 31 - The Cotuit Model T was summoned to a fire in Osterville on Main
Street. The fire at Foster Lewis's house (located where the Midway Garage
is today) lit the night sky as the fire engine with no windshield responded in
near 0 degree temperatures. The Osterville apparatus, another chemical
unit, was frozen in a Barn behind the Foster house.
1924 - April - A fire destroyed the Cotuit Grocery Store, Variety Store, and Ice
house on Main Street. The roof of Captain Irving B. Phinney's pain
shop as wall as a large store across the street were also damaged by the radiant
heat and embers. The fire siren was also destroyed.
1987 - April 21 - A 2 alarm fire damaged the historic 2 1/2 story Homestead Gift
Shop at the corner or Route 28 & Route 130. Firefighters made an
aggressive interior attack and saved the 1700's era building during the 0336 hrs
fire.
1991 - Nov 9 - An automatic fire alarm saved the Cotuit Elementary School from
greater destruction by alerting firefighters to a 2 alarm fire that destroyed 2
classrooms in a 2214 hrs fire that was determined to be arson.
1992 - Mar 1 - A 23 year old man was killed and another injured in an accident
on Newtown Road. The man was trapped in a car as it burned prior to
arrival of the fire department.
1992 - Mar 23 - A fire struck a 2 story home at 72 Oceanview Avenue. The
fire went to 3 alarms causing extensive damage to the large, unoccupied home at
1830 hrs.
Incident History
Year
Fire
EMS
Total
1950
1960
1970
1975
1980
66
181
247
1985
96
168
264
1990
149
275
424
1992
186
278
464
1993
179
229
408
1994
177
265
442
1995
168
297
465
1996
196
279
475
1997
223
330
553
1998
178
293
471
1999
220
364
584
2000
642
2001
629
2002
200
394
594
2003 629
2004
565
2005
714
2006
690
1975 Apparatus Roster
Engine 1 - 263 - 1967 Maxim S 1000/500 pumper
Engine 2 - 265 - 1970 International 4x4/Maxim 1000rm/500 Pumper
Engine 3 - 260 - 1953 Ford/Maxim 500 gallon w/pto pump
Engine 4 - 267 - 1969 Dodge Power Wagon 300 gal brush breaker
Rescue 1 - 262 - 1973 Dodge van Ambulance
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