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OUR HISTORY
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In the earlier years, 1922-27
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A disastrous fire in April 1922 completely destroyed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Albert H. Christie on 253 Daniels Farm Road. This incident was the key in organizing a fire company.
Mr. Charles F. Ensign requested that the members of the Trumbull Development Society meet in the basement of the Nichols Memorial Library, and from this meeting the Trumbull Fire Company was later formed with its first official meeting being held on January 2, 1923. Mr. Ensign was nominated chairman with the following officers being elected: Chief- Charles S. Shepherd; Assistant Chief- Charles Kurtz; Secretary- Wycliffe Brown; Treasurer- Burr Beach.
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As the town grew, 1937-75
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As the Town of Trumbull grew so did the fire company. In 1937 another bay was added to the firehouse for the new Seagrave apparatus. The third chief, Carl R. Peterson, served for over 17 years. Under his leadership the Fire Company gained the reputation of being a well-organized and trained department. Regular drills were scheduled. Chief Peterson also imparted the latest knowledge and skills in firefighting techniques which he gained from attending the yearly State Fire Conventions. He served on many committees and was the working chairman for many carnivals.
During the Second World War the Fire Company activities greatly diminished, and rightly so. Almost half of the active members (56 men) were in the Armed Forces serving their Country. Two members, Joseph Lenhard and Robert Thornburn, lost their lives in combat. To sustain the loss of manpower, the Company dropped the minimum age requirement to 17 years of age. |
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Trumbull Center Fire District is formed, 1950
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From the time of its founding in 1925 until 1950, all funds needed to buy trucks, hose, and other firefighting equipment had been raised by the Trumbull Volunteer Fire Company. Card parties, Bingo, and in later years an annual carnival were highly successful. When games of chance were made illegal in 1949 by the State Legislature, the carnival became unprofitable.
In June 1950 at a meeting in Center School called by the town selectmen in response to a petition by 20 voters of District #1, the Trumbull Center Fire District was formed to provide regular financial support for firefighting operations within the District. The first annual meeting followed on September 22, 1950, where a budget of $7490 and a tax rate of 1.75 mills were adopted. The first elected commissioners were Tracey Fabian, James Heneghan, and David Calhoune. Treasurer was Lyman Rodgers, and the Secretary-Tax Collector was Walter Guden.
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Trumbull Carnival
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1st Row: Gene Raymond, Victor Oppel Sr., Charles J. Kurtz, John Kurtz, Bob Peterson, Raymond Engstram, Harold "Zeke" Crocker, Ralph D Shaw, Harold Peterson, Henry Machalowski
2nd Row: Joseph Tomek, Clarence Oppel Sr., Fred Machalowski, Jim Hannigan, Andrew Tomek |
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Chief Peterson, 1925-27, 1929-44
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Chief C. Robert Peterson Trumbull Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 Chief 1925-27, 1929-44 |
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1959 Group Photo
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1st Row: (kneeling) Bob Kascak, Capt. Elliott Knecht, Chief Lester Knecht, Steve Robinson, Asst. Chief Dave Halpin, Andrew Patalak, Carl Anderson
2nd Row: (standing) Roy Swanson, Clayton McClinch, Jorgan Holst, Lt. Frank Reynolds, Stephen Chisarik, Robert Huggler, George Knecht, Dave Knecht, Paul Fray |
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1965 Group Photo
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Sunday, October 7, 1965. About 25 men from the Trumbull Center Fire Dept. attended the 11:00AM services in a surprise appearance to honor our Company Chaplain on Fire Prevention Week. (Rev. Paul H. Anderson, Pastor Calvary Evangelical Church, White Plains Rd)
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Tomek's Farm Barn, Daniels Farm Road, 1966
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Tomek's Farm Barn Before Fire 1966
Tomek's Farm Barn After Fire 1966
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Sponge Rubber Products, Shelton, Structure Fire, 1975
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Trumbull Center's Truck 108 assists Shelton with structure fire, 1975 |
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Ass't Chief John Kurtz
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1931 - Ass't Chief John Kurtz in his Reo, in front of Kurtz's Store, corner of White Plains Rd. and Daniels Farm Road. |
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