History

According to records of the Watch Hill Hose and Engine Company, the Watch Hill Fire District began with negotiations between the residents of Watch Hill and the Town of Westerly in November of 1901. The resulting Watch Hill Fire Department was created with twelve men and a Chief in 1902.

Significant milestones in the history of the department include the following;

1902 – A hose house was constructed and two thousand feet of hose with assorted fittings was purchased.

1908 – A horse drawn wagon was purchased to carry the hose and assorted fittings.

1914 – A Buick truck was purchased to replace the horse drawn wagon.

1917 – The first motorized pumper was purchased, a 1917 American LaFrance with a 750 GPM pump.

1917 – The first Fire Station was constructed.

1920 – Telephones were placed in the area to be used as a Fire Alarm system.

1922 – A second motorized pumper was purchased.

1932 – A ladder truck was purchased.

1933 – A second Fire Station was built at a cost of $13,400.

1940 – A new Engine, a 500 GPM American LaFrance, was purchased at a cost of $6,950.

1946 – A Fire Alarm box system was installed to replace the original phone system.

1951 – A new 500 GPM engine was purchased to replace the original motorized engine that was now 32 years old.

1955 – During a district meeting this year, it was noted that the Fire District had spent in excess of $38,000 on motorized fire equipment in the previous 55 years.

1956 – The current Fire Station was built to reduce the risk of damage from a hurricane.

1960 – A new 65 ft aerial ladder was purchased from the Farrar Fire Apparatus Company.

1967 – A new pumper was purchased from the Farrar Company.

1972 – A new pumper was purchased from the American LaFrance Company.

1980 – The recently retired Ladder 104 was designed and purchased from the American LaFrance Company.

1985 – The current Engine 103 was designed and purchased from the FMC Fire Apparatus Company.

1996 – The current Engine 102 was purchased from the KME Fire Apparatus Company. Upon delivery, it was named “The Shepard” and dedicated to former Assistant Chief Shepard Simmons.

2002 – The Watch Hill Fire Department and the Watch Hill Fire District celebrate 100 years of dedicated service to the residents of Watch Hill.

2007-  The current Ladder 104 was purchased from the Piece Fire Company.  The truck is named "The Commander" and is the Department's first apparatus to have both an aerial ladder and Class A pump.

2011-  The Watch Hill Fire Department web site is introduced.