History of Our Department
The Hopkins Hill Road Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1952 by its first Chief, Clifton H. Barbour. Note that originally, the name included the word "Road", which was probably appropriate for the time. Since then, growth in the area dictated that "Road" be eliminated to more properly describe the area served.
Hopkins
Hill Road Volunteer Fire Department
Circa 1950
Assembled in front of garage at the Barbour Lace Mill are the
original members and equipment of the Hopkins Hill Road
Volunteer Fire Department. Left
truck - 1946 Ford.
Driver is Arthur "Bud" Miller. Standing near the cab is Art
Rathbun.
Behind Art are John Swiencki and Leo Gorton. On truck, L - R;
Rene Brunette, Mederic Maguire and H.J. "Bo" Beauchaine
(Secretary). Middle
truck - American
La France 1916. Standing on left side; Bernard Norman, Jesse
Rathbun, Cliff Barbour (Chief). Driver; Herbert Norman, sitting; Ralph
Murphy. Standing in rear, L - R; Ralph Carlson, Benjamin Dzialo
(Treasurer).
With elbow on truck; Level Hopkins. Right
truck - 1942 Dodge
Truck on right. Around it, L - R,; John Murphy, William
Sundelin, Bernard Harrington, Howard Barbour, Joseph Swiencki, Al
Plackett. Buzz Barbour is in the cab.
Vehicle History
The
first apparatus of the Hopkins Hill Road Volunteer Fire Department was
converted farm equipment. Other older equipment include a 1916 American La
France, a 1942 Dodge and a 1946 Ford.
In 1973, the Department took
delivery of it's first Class A custom pumper, now referred to as Old
Engine
6, at a cost of
approximately $40,000.00. This truck was not only a first for the
Department, but it was the first diesel powered pumper in the Town of
Coventry. This vehicle has been retired and sold but retains a special
place in the hearts of those who remember the distinctive roar of her
diesel engine. New Engine 6, (link to be provided
soon) a state of the art apparatus, was put into in October of 2003. It is
a significant upgrade of our capabilities and this vehicle should serve
the District for the next several decades. The first rescue vehicle was a
Cadillac Rescue, but the level of training and care offered by the
Department at that time was basic first aid. In 1992, a new state of the
art rescue
vehicle, featuring Advanced Cardiac Life Support capability, was purchased.
It served our community well for 12 years, but constant use and
advancements in technology made replacement of this apparatus advisable.
The new Rescue 6 (link to be provided soon) was purchased in 2003 and
offers a significant upgrade in rescue and lifesaving
capability.
In 1997, a five function vehicle, known as "Quint 1", was purchased at a cost of $360,000.00. It is a state of the art Pumper/Aerial vehicle which carries 500 gallons of water on board. An extremely flexible apparatus, it is frequently the unit requested by other departments in mutual aid situations .
A Jeep Laredo, acquired in 1995, functioned as the Chief's vehicle until 2004 when the new Chief's vehicle was purchased. It is now utilized by the Fire Marshal. It was equipped to function as a command vehicle with full communications with firefighters, the Central Dispatcher and other fire districts and still retains some of that capability.
In 1996, the Department acquired a Bombard Model 5001, Rescue Boat. It is a 10 foot long, a semi rigid, inflatable craft with a hard bottom and is equipped with a Johnson 8 hp outboard engine. It has a capacity of 600 - 700 pounds and can accommodate 3 personnel, all fully outfitted in cold water survival gear. The craft is transported on a NorEaster Trailer.
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Station House History
The original fire station was nothing more than a converted barn which was located approximately 100 feet south of the current station on Hopkins Hill Rd.
The current fire station was built in the early to mid 1950's. It was remodeled in 1986 and now contains a four bay apparatus (vehicle) room, a tool/repair room, kitchen, offices, bunk room, lounge and a training/meeting room, which is available for public use.
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