| HISTORY OF
THE
CENTRAL VILLAGE FIRE
Co. No. 1
The Central Village Fire Co. No. 1,
Inc. was organized on January 14, 1913 by concerned citizens after a
devastating fire at the Hotel Central. Villagers formed a bucket
brigade drawing water from the horse trough in the center of Central
Square. After depleting that water supply, the citizens turned to
the nearby railroad platform and seized dozens of 40-quart cans of milk
waiting to be shipped. The fire was eventually brought under
control saving the structure, as the Hotel Central still stands today.
During that first year, the fire
company purchased a hand-drawn Chemical Engine from the American
LaFrance Fire Engine Company and a Hose-Reel rig. These two
vehicles comprised the company's only fire fighting apparatus for ten
years. Both pieces are still in possession of the fire company
today.
The fire company was originally
financed by $1 membership fees, private contributions and fund raising
events such as baseball games, dances, bazaars and raffles.
In the late summer of 1923, a 1912
Thomas passenger car was
 donated
to the company by Mr. Charles Bragg, owner of the Central Worsted Mills.
This vehicle with a right-hand drive, acetylene headlights and a hand
crank, gave the firemen a great sense of pride and
appreciation. The vehicle was in excellent
condition, and was converted into a fire truck by The Combination Ladder
Co. Inc., of Providence R.I. The Thomas was customized to carry
two (2) twenty-five gallon chemical tanks, 500 feet of standard 2 1/2"
hose and a complete assortment of necessary tools, lanterns and hand
extinguishers. The total cost of the conversion was $1,349.50.
The vehicle was referred to from then on as the "Chemical Truck."
This was the first piece of motorized fire apparatus owned by the fire
company, and it remained in their possession until 1943.
The Central Village Fire District, the first fire district in
the Town of Plainfield, came into being on February 26, 1927.
The establishment of the fire district would prove to be the next
great accomplishment for the company. Soon after bylaws were
drawn up, a governing body was elected and boundaries were set.
The new fire district had the legal right for taxation, and set
forth two resolutions:
1. To extinguish fires within said district.
2. To light streets within said district.
Another major stride for the Central Fire Company came in early
1935 when
they moved into their new quarters on Main Street adjacent to
Central Square. Until this time the company's apparatus and
other equipment was housed in member's sheds or in outbuildings on
mill properties. The Central
 Firemen
felt a true sense of accomplishment upon moving into their station
as several of them worked as volunteers on various aspects of the
project. Also in 1935, the company moved to purchase it's
first "Pumper." Bids and specifications were read with a vote
to buy a new Ford V8 chassis from Heywood Motors in Moosup, a new
body, a Barton Pump and hose from the Farrar Company of Woodsville,
Mass. The vehicle cost $3,121.26 and was delivered on August
20, 1935. Although a substantial purchase at the time for the
company, the new "Pumper" proved to be invaluable having responded
to countless fires in Central and surrounding villages.
1935 was definitely a turning point for the Central Fire Company.
The materials and fibers for the 1913 pattern were fully
constructed. From that period on, it would be a matter of good
business principles, acquiring the most effective equipment possible
and providing the highest level of service to the Central Village
Fire District.
Today the Central Village Fire Company continues to offer 100%
volunteer fire protection, emergency medical, hazardous materials
and water rescue services. The fire company presently operates
two fire engines, one light-duty rescue vehicle, one mini-pumper and
a water rescue boat. The current firehouse was constructed in
1989 and is located at 53 Black Hill Road. Over 35 dedicated
volunteers continue to serve the residents of Central Village with
the same loyalty and pride as did the earliest members of this
organization.
(REF: "An Engine for Central", Janet Loring
Williams, 1977)
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