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The Sandwich Fire Department history traces is roots back
to the first Sandwich fire apparatus, a hand drawn hook and ladder built for the
town in 1870. The Sandwich Glass Company also purchased some fire apparatus in the late
1800's. The hand drawn hook and ladder truck is depicted in a July 4, 1876
photo displayed in the Sandwich HQ. The Town reorganized a fire department
in the early 1930s. A 1930 Ahrens Fox was the
department's first custom motorized fire engine. The Sandwich Fire
Department was "officially" organized on March 6, 1950. The department's first
fire station was built in 1955. Prior to that, apparatus was housed in a
garage behind the Daniel Webster Inn on Main Street. Sandwich FD protects
"the oldest town on Cape Cod." The Sandwich Fire Department
began staffing the Forestdale Fire Station (Sta.3) in July 1993 bringing
improved coverage for the fast growing southern end of town.
Major fires and incidents include:
1937 - A huge forest fire burned from Otis to Chase Road (Exit 4 Rte.6).
The fire burned several firemen, taking the life of (3) firefighters.
1965 - A huge forest fire started in Otis and burned north, jumping Route 6 with
flames over 100' high, into Sandwich village.
1971 - A mother and 4 children died in a house fire in Sandwich. Four
months later, the first 7 permanent firefighters were hired and Sandwich Fire
Department took over operations of the town's ambulance from the Sandwich
Volunteer Firefighter's Association.
1980 - August 5, a huge general alarm fire engulfed a large oil storage tank
containing #6 fuel oil at the Canal Electric Plant. Over 200 firefighters
responded from dozens of departments for a massive foam firefight. The
fire was extinguished after several hours of intense firefighting.
1983 - Aug 4, Sandwich Ambulance involved in MVA at Rte130 & Route 6, 2
firefighters and
2 civilians injured.
1985 - June 15, A Town Neck Road fire is determined to be arson. A woman
is arrested for murder and arson in the death of a man and woman.
1987 - Dec 22. A well known Cape photographer is killed in a light plane
crash off Rte.6.
1990 - July 5 - A multiple alarm fire at the Canal Electric's 7 story power
plant is started by a transformer explosion.
1992 - April 2 - A 3 alarm fire struck the Sandwich Motor Lodge on Route 6a at
7:53 pm.
1975 Apparatus Roster
Engine 2.......144.....1972 Maxim F 1000/750 Pumper (Sta.1)
Engine 3.......150.....1969 Maxim S 1000/750 Pumper (Sta.2)
Engine 4.......147.....1957 Ford/Maxim 750/500 Pumper (Sta.3)
Ladder 1......152.....1953 Peter Pirsch 65' Aerial Ladder (Former
Boston L25) (Sta.1)
Breaker 1.....142.....1965 Dodge 4x4/Maynard 500 Gallon Brush Breaker
(Sta.1)
Breaker 2.....143.....1963 Dodge 4x4/Maynard 600 Gallon Brush Breaker
(Sta.2)
Breaker 3.....153.....1953 Studebaker Mil 6x6 940 Gallon Brush
Breaker (Sta.3)
Tanker 1.......148.....1948 Dodge 1800 Gallon Tanker (Sta.2)
Patrol 1.........140.....1965 Ford Patrol Truck (Sta.1)
Car 1............141.....1970 Dodge Pickup Fire Chief vehicle (Sta.1)
Rescue..........146.....1965 GMC 4x4 Rescue Van (Sta.1)
Ambulance....145.....1972 Cadillac Ambulance (Sta.1)
Boat.........................16' MFG Boat (Sta.1)
Ice............................8' Ray Ice Sled (Sta.1)
Sandwich Incident History
Year
Fire
EMS
Total
1960
39
5
44
1970
212
160
372
1975
294
541
835
1980
871
866
1,737
1985
892
1,108
2,000
1990
680
1,115
1,795
1992
743
1,216
1,959
1993
826
1,336
2,162
1994
891
1,318
2,272
1995
952
1,536
2,488
1996
893
1,547
2,440
1997
1,124
1.551
2,675
1998
1,027
1,571
2,598
1999
800
1,851
2,651
2000
2,670
2001
2,874
2002
1,124
1,888
3,012
2003
3,205
2004 3,292
2005
3,484
2006
3,428
2007
3,583
2008
3,496
2009
3,482
2010
3,535
2011
3,697
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