By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
Photos and images provided by Greenfield Historical Society
(Greenfield, MA) According to Megan Baker, Secretary for the Greenfield Historical Society, the current Greenfield Fire Station was brand new in 1940. In fact, said Baker, there were years when Greenfield had no Fire Station listed. Instead, a series of hose companies and alarm bells were listed with instructions to pull the alarm closest to the fire and wait for firefighters, and at that point direct them to the location of the fire. Once automobiles arrived in Greenfield, a 1931 review found the Federal Street location to be inadequate, stating that there would be times during the day when the fire equipment would be too large to navigate the traffic congestion in that area. The sleeping quarters of the Federal Street location were also deemed inadequate during that review, due to poor ventilation.
”The present building was built for the purpose for which it is now being used,” stated the review. “The committee are of the opinion that these quarters are entirely inadequate, unsanitary and unfit to house any body of men,” read the 1931 review of the Federal Street building.
Baker said the current fire station building was renovated and expanded to fit the increasing size of fire equipment.
“I hope this helps people understand the history of firefighting in town, and how the traffic patterns and type of buildings in town have required moving the fire station at least once before,” she said.