History

1924

The Merrimack Fire Department was chartered on May 12, 1924. The Town purchased a Howe REO triple combination fire engine for $4,270 and appointed Josiah N. Henderson as the first Fire Chief. The membership of the Department included thirty-eight (38) volunteers. The first fire station was an old carpenter shop belonging to the International Shoe Company.

1925

The Town purchased a second REO Hose truck in 1925 and in 1938; an International Maxim pumper was acquired. These two (2) new pieces of fire protection equipment were quartered in a barn on Mill Street in the Reeds Ferry section of Merrimack. The 1938 International Maxim is still maintained by the Merrimack Firefighters Association and available for parades and other special events.

1944

In 1944, the South Merrimack Association was formed. These dedicated residents raised the funds, purchased the equipment and built the garage on land donated by the South Merrimack Congregational Church. This provided for the delivery of fire protection to the southern portion of our community. In 1945 the citizens of Merrimack voted to accept the South Merrimack Association into Merrimack’s Fire Department.

Josiah N. Henderson retired in 1948 after twenty-four (24) years as Fire Chief. In the same year Franklin Haseltine became the second Fire Chief of the Department.

New equipment including a pumper/tanker combination and a 500 gpm. pumper were purchased for $5,519 in 1950.

1954

The year 1954 was significant for the Merrimack Fire Department. A second 500 gpm. tanker/pumper combination fully equipped was purchased, a one-vehicle station was built on Elm Street in the Reeds Ferry section of Town and a parcel of land was acquired from New England Chemical Company for the sum of one dollar. This parcel of land was slated to be the future home of Central Station.

1955

On August 1, 1955, Chief Haseltine retired and the Board of Selectmen appointed George Allgaier to the position of Chief. In addition, a fire company was formed in the Reeds Ferry section of Merrimack under the direction of Captain John Tucker.

1956

A public alarm system consisting of a civil defense siren was installed on the Town Hall property on Baboosic Lake Road in 1956. This provided the first method of notifying all firefighters simultaneously about a fire.

1959

The new Central Station was completed in November 1959 at a cost of $30,205.00. It was only through the generosity of Bertha L. Gordon’s donation that the station was completed.

1960

On February 21, 1960, Central Station was dedicated in memory of Bertha Gordon’s late husband Arthur G. Gordon. This station has served as Merrimack Fire Department’s Headquarters ever since. A new American LaFrance pumper fully equipped was also purchased for $15,954 in 1960.

1962

On May 14, 1962 during the Annual Meeting of all the divisions of Merrimack Fire Department a fire struck Gate City Poultry. Despite the rapid response, the fire destroyed the company located directly across the street from Central Station.

1965

A second American LaFrance pumper was purchased for $15,150 and added to the Department’s fleet of fire fighting equipment in 1965.

1970

Chief George Allgaier retired on January 31, 1970 after having served for fifteen (15) years as Merrimack’s last volunteer Fire Chief. Herbert Duxbury was appointed Merrimack’s first full time Fire Chief on February 1, 1970.

1971

In the fall of 1971 James Hall and Robert Soucy were hired as firefighters. For the first time Merrimack Fire Department was now, a full time staffed department with firefighters on duty during critical times.

1972

In 1972, General Electric donated land for a new station. The Reeds Ferry Station was built for a cost of $40,453 and still serves as the Department’s Station 3. The year 1972 also saw the addition of a used 1947 Maxim 75 foot ladder truck. Merrimack’s first aerial apparatus was purchased from the Sanford, Maine Fire Department.

A parcel of land next to Central Station was acquired from the Allgaier family in 1973, in anticipation of future expansion projects to the existing station. John Savage donated land that would become the site of the new South Merrimack Station. For a cost of $27,464, Station 2 was built and continues to provide fire protection for that section of our community. That year also saw the beginning of a new alert communications system to replace the siren system.

1974

Merrimack Fire Department celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 12, 1974. This proved to be an exceptional year, five (5) additional firefighters were hired and fire protection was now available from on duty firefighters twenty-four (24) hours a day. A new Custom Fire pumper was purchased and fire department personnel assumed the responsibility for receiving emergency calls and dispatching apparatus.

1975

In 1975, three (3) additional firefighters were hired, bringing the total number of personnel on duty to five (5) firefighters. The first expansion project at the Central Station was completed with the addition of a second floor for a construction cost of $60,000. This addition provided much needed office and living space to the existing building. Joseph Comer was appointed as Merrimack’s first Fire Inspector.

1976

Additional firefighters were hired in 1976 increasing the Department personnel to fourteen (14) full time firefighters. This included two (2) daytime staff positions and twelve (12) members supporting the fire suppression division, four (4) firefighters on each shift of three (3) shifts working out of Central Station.

 1977

Merrimack Fire Department ordered and received a custom Mack Fire Pumper in 1977. This was the first time that a fire engine was specifically designed for Merrimack’s requirements.

1978

Four (4) additional firefighters were hired in 1978 and for the first time personnel were available to provide coverage during the daytime hours at the South Merrimack Station. Merrimack Fire Department’s first Training Officer, Charles Q. Hall was appointed during 1978 in response to the changing fire suppression technology and the demands of maintaining firefighter skills.

1979

The increasing mechanical complexity of new apparatus required the appointment of a full time firefighter/mechanic, David LeClair. A new 1979 Rescue Truck was purchased with fifty percent of the total paid from matching funds from the NH Highway Safety Fund. Training Officer Charles Q. Hall became the fifth Chief of Department when Chief Duxbury retired.

1980

In 1980, Merrimack residents approved the purchase of a new 100-foot aerial ladder truck and a new custom pumper, thus increasing the Department’s ability to combat fires in high-rise dwellings. The Call Division welcomed its first female firefighter, Betty Spence in 1980.

1982

In 1982, the organization of Local 2904, the International Association of Firefighters and ratified their first agreement with the Board of Selectmen in 1983.

1986

As new construction continued at a remarkable pace, Joseph Comer was promoted to Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention and an additional Fire Inspector was hired to assist with inspections. During 1986 the Merrimack Ambulance Rescue Service was incorporated into the Fire Department as the EMS Division and paramedic level emergency medical services was available on a twenty four (24) hour basis.

 1987

The largest single hiring of full time firefighters occurred in 1987. Ten (10) additional members were added and this increase in work force allowed the Department to reduce each fire fighter’s work hours from fifty-six (56) to forty two (42) hours a week. South Merrimack Station was expanded to include living quarters and was staffed continually for the first time. Merrimack Fire Department also accepted delivery of a new custom Pumper.

1989

During 1989 many increases in the responsibilities for members of Merrimack Fire Department, four (4) firefighters were promoted to the rank of lieutenant, a custom designed Rescue Truck was accepted and dispatching responsibilities, including receiving 911 requests were shared with the Communications Center.

In response to increasing motor vehicle traffic on the roads, a new emergency traffic light preemption system known as Opticom was installed. These systems allowed emergency apparatus to change the traffic light to green in their direction of travel and red in the other directions, thus stopping traffic and creating a safer response through intersections for both emergency vehicles and the public.

1991 to 1996

Three (3) new custom fire engines, a van dedicated to Fire Prevention activities and two (2) rescue boats were added to the fleet of apparatus during the years of 1991 to 1996. These additions increased Merrimack response capacity to five (5) fire engines, one (1) aerial truck, one (1) rescue truck, two (2) ambulances, two (2) specially designed forestry vehicles and three (3) staff vehicles.

1998

After thirty-eight (38) years, Central Station was bursting at the seams. A major renovation and expansion project was completed in early 1998. This addition doubled the floor space available to house apparatus and equipment, provided advanced technology for firefighter safety and health, and provided increased office space.

1999

The Merrimack Fire Department celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 1999. The Department hosted many special events including open houses in May; the New Hampshire Firemen's Convention in September and received special recognition at the 4th of July Parade.

In June of 1999 Charles Hall retired with forty (40) years of service to the Department, twenty (20) years in the capacity of Fire Chief. In July 1999, William H. Pepler, Jr. became the sixth Chief of Department. Chief Pepler instituted many new programs. The Board of Selectmen authorized a third ambulance for the purpose of having a "spare" ambulance in the event that one of the vehicles had been put out of service

 2000

In 2000, the Town purchased 11.5 acres of land on Baboosic Lake Road for the construction of the future Northwest Fire Station. Known as the Bishop property, this land is located at the intersection of McQuestion Road and will be will be shared with the Parks and Recreation Department for playing fields. Paramedic Fran Dupuis promoted to Administrative Lieutenant taking on the duties coordinating training, safety and EMS. The department began replacing old out dated Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) with high-pressure units. A high-pressure cascade and air compressor was purchased for Station #1 to replace the low-pressure unit.

2001

In 2001, the department was reorganized into two divisions, Operations and Support Services. Assistant Chief Howard Young assigned to coordinate the Operations Division and newly promoted Assistant Chief Dave Parenti assigned to the Support Services Division.

Leo Leblanc was hired as a part time Fire Inspector. Four new firefighters were hired to allow the department to staff the South Merrimack Station (Engine 2) with three personnel, 24 hours a day.

Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) training was provided to all personnel in an effort to improve firefighter safety. Two thermal imaging cameras (TIC)with imaging transmitting capability were purchased in the fall of 2001. The cameras were assigned to Engine 1 and 2. The cameras have the capability of sending the image back to a receiver at the command post allowing the Incident Commander the ability to visualize the activities within the structure.

Also in 2001, the department began utilizing Merrimack Government TV Channel 20 to provide information to the community and allow personnel to view training videos several times during the week. Presently, the department Community Service Show airs four times per week. Digital photography has also been introduced to the department this year. The digital photography has been used in training evolutions, documenting fire and emergency scene investigations, fire investigations and inspections. The ability of downloading the pictures directly into the computer and then placing them on the internal file has improved our ability to use these photos.

2002

In May 2002, the department took delivery of a new ladder truck. Manufactured by American LaFrance, the vehicle was equipped with a 93" tower ladder, 2000 gpm pump and 300-gallon water tank. The cost of this vehicle was $701,000. This vehicle replaced the 1981 Thibeault ladder truck. In the fall, the 1990 ambulance was replaced with a 1995  Road Rescue model, similar to the other two ambulances operated by the department.

 The department upgraded the information management system. Firehouse software, a system server, and connections between stations were all accomplished. Staff workstations were changed to lap top computers with docking stations to allow more staff flexibility. Laptops were also installed in Engine 1 and 2. At the 2002 Town Meeting, voters approved a fire department recommendation and passed an ordinance to prohibit the sale of fireworks in Town. In 2002, retired Manchester Fire Inspector Harold "Pip" Adams was hired as a second part time fire inspector. The department also introduced "On Spot" automatic tire chains, and specialized communication head sets for crews in the apparatus.

During 2002, the Call Division was reorganized. The firefighters were divided into two companies, Operations and Support Services. The Operations Company is staffed by certified firefighters who respond to emergency calls. The Support Services Company is staffed by veteran firefighters and support personnel who no longer have emergency response responsibilities, but still play an important role in the operations of the department including training (passing on their years of knowledge to the new firefighters), "pilots" for mutual aid fire companies and rehabilitation of personnel at emergency scenes.

 Master Firefighter Danny Belanger was selected as Firefighter of the Year. EMS Lieutenant Matt Pfeifer was selected as EMT of the Year. The Merrimack VFW, Post # 8641, sponsors these awards each year. Post Commander Max Quayle presented the awards at their annual banquet on November 16, 2002.

During the year, several personnel changes were made. Lieutenant Michael Currier was promoted to Fire Marshal. Veteran Fire Inspector Al Britton retired on February 12, 2002. He passes away on October 3, 2002 and received a full department funeral. Al’s career spanned 42 years. Lieut. Charles Smith completed 20 years of service.

On Saturday, November 2, 2002, the former Open Arms Church on Daniel Webster Highway was utilized for "live fire" training. The training allowed new firefighters to gain "real life" experience under controlled situations. Personnel also practiced with the thermal imaging cameras, the personnel accountability system and the rapid intervention team (RIT) operations. RIT is a program designed to teach firefighters how to save themselves or other firefighters trapped in a burning building. At the conclusion of training, the buildings, including the three-story house and two barns, were burned to the ground, in a spectacular fire. The buildings were razed to make room for the Reed’s Ferry Mall.

 2003

As 2003 began, improvements to the department continued. The diesel exhaust system was extended at Station #1 to include Ambulance 1 and 2. A new diesel exhaust system was installed at Station #3. A high-pressure cascade and air refilling system was installed on Rescue 1.

On May 1, 2003, Clancy Worster, Town Fire Warden, passed away. Clancy was a 55-year member of the department and remained active his entire career. In 1955, the Board of Selectmen appointed him Forest Fire Warden. Clancy was also one of the originators of Merrimack’s July 4th celebration.

Department Chaplain Pastor Bill Balson resigned at the end of the year when he and his wife Nancy Jean accepted a new pastorate at Maple Valley Baptist Church in Coventry, Rhode Island. Pastor Bill has served as Department Chaplain since October 9, 1996. Pastor Bill was instrumental in revitalizing the annual Memorial Service. Pastor Bill has also been our "victims advocate" at the scene, tending to their needs and ensuring anyone displaced by a fire had a place to sleep.

Jim Bailey, Tom Benoit, and Kevin Hevey were hired as Call Firefighters. Tim Dutton and Kim Palanski were hired as EMS Volunteers. Call Firefighters Dan Newman and Mike Kiernan, both members of the New Hampshire National Guard.

This year, a major evacuation drill was held in the Town of Merrimack. The drill was a cooperative effort between the Town of Merrimack and the Merrimack School District and includes the Merrimack Fire and Police Departments, Merrimack School Superintendent’s Office, Reeds Ferry Elementary School, Thornton’s Ferry Elementary School, Laidlaw Transportation, and the Town’s Media Division. Planning for the event took eighteen months and included specialized training for school personnel and bus drivers.

The drill was held on Wednesday, May 28, 2003. A traffic accident involving hazardous materials and subsequent fire required the compete evacuation of a nearby elementary school. The students and staff of this school were moved to another elementary school in Town.

The drill had three separate but related components: the accident, the school evacuation, and the school receiving the evacuees. The drill began with a traffic accident on Continental Boulevard, south of Camp Sargent Road. The accident involved a propane delivery truck, which started to burn. Because of the explosion hazard, and the close proximity to the Thorntons Ferry Elementary School, the order to evacuate the school was given. The decision to evacuate was made by the on scene incident commander through Dispatch. Because the school buses required time to arrive, the school immediately implemented shelter-in-place. School buses were contacted and upon arrival at Thorntons Ferry School, were loaded and transported all students and staff to Reeds Ferry School via the Everett Turnpike.

In August, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the reorganization/disbanding of the Merrimack Ambulance Rescue Service (MARS). At the request of the officers of the Merrimack Ambulance Rescue Service (MARS). The goal was to bring MARS completely under the control of the Merrimack Fire Department, as a fire based Emergency Medical Service is the best for the community and citizens.

Fred Moriarty founded MARS in 1967. Originally, MARS operated as a separate service. When MARS was placed under fire department control in 1986

Assistant Chief Howard Young was selected as Firefighter of the Year. EMS Lieutenant John Chisholm was selected as EMT of the Year. The Merrimack VFW, Post # 8641 Post Commander Max Quayle presented the awards at the annual banquet held on Saturday, October 18, 2003. Merrimack Post #8641, VFW, sponsors these awards each year.

On May 6, 2003, Assistant Chief Young celebrated 29 years of service. He plans to retire with 30 years of service in 2004. Assistant Chief Young was hired full time on May 6, 1974. He was promoted to Lieutenant in January 1978. He became Training Officer in August 1979 and Acting Captain in April 1980. In July 1980, he was promoted to Captain. In July 1988, he was promoted to Deputy Chief. And in August 1996, he was promoted to Assistant Chief, and has served as second-in-command of the department since that time.

On October 18, 2003, The Fire Department along with the Merrimack Professional Firefighters, Local 2904 hosted the first Junior Firefighters Muster in Merrimack. The event was held at the Mastracola Middle School Gym.

The Junior Firefighters Muster consisted of fifth graders from the Reeds Ferry School, Thornton’s Ferry School and the Mastracola Elementary School. Each school presented a team of ten students. Five students from each school competed in each event. The students competed in three timed events. All students were randomly chosen.

This unique event provided an opportunity for firefighters, students and teachers to develop a working relationship. Students had the opportunity to perform firefighter skills and firefighters had the opportunity to teach their skills. The students competed in the following three, timed events:

The Fire Hydrant Hook-up - The students were timed on how long it takes them to hook two lengths of fire hose together, connect the hose to the fire hydrant and attach a fire attack nozzle to the end.

The Midnight Alarm - At the sound of the bell, the students team member dress in firefighter protective clothing and race about 30 yards to where they took off the firefighter gear, the next student put on the firefighter gear and raced back to the next student who repeated the process until all team members completed the run.

The Bucket Brigade - The students passed buckets of simulated water down a line as fast as they could without spilling its contents.

Thornton’s Ferry School finished in first place, followed closely by Reeds Ferry School in second and Mastracola Elementary in third. Competition was very intense and the scores of the events showed this intensity. In the bucket brigade, 5 seconds separated all three schools. The three schools received trophies. Each team received ribbons for their performance in the individual events. All student team members received a medal for participating in the muster. The Merrimack Professional Firefighters, Local 2904, provided funding for the event.

During the Junior Fire Muster, the names of each school were placed into a hat and a school was picked at random to receive an ice cream party. Thorntons Ferry Elementary School was the winner. The ice cream party was held on November 24, 2003. Crew members from Engines 2 and 3, staff officers, and Shaw’s North Manager Steve Lemire served ice cream and topping to over 700 students and staff. The Merrimack Firefighters Union, Local 2904 and Shaw’s Supermarket donated the ice cream and toppings. The party was a huge success.

2004

In 2004, the department responded to 2,476 emergency calls. The emergency calls included 1,014 fire/hazardous materials calls and 1,462 emergency medical calls. While the overall increase represents only 2% above 2003 responses, firefighters saw a significant increase in multiple calls. A multiple call is a second or third emergency call received before the initial call is completed. In 2004, 20% of all emergency calls were multiple calls. Firefighters also experienced an increase in arson fires. Four civilians were injured in fires in 2004.

Firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire in a large home on Brek Drive and in a commercial building at 442 Daniel Webster Highway. They also responded to building fires on Four Seasons Lane, Daniel Webster Highway, Dolly Road, Baboosic Lake Road, in a carnival bunkroom trailer, and at Home Depot. Fire crews also handled numerous other fire calls including a skidder fire in the woods off Wilson Hill Road, and several appliance fires, chimney fires, electrical fires, vehicle fires, trash fires and brush fires.

2004 was another year of unique emergency calls. The extreme cold temperature during the week of January 15, 2004 caused many pipes to burst in Town. The April Fool’s Day storm dumped several inches of rain on the area. This caused flooding of the Souhegan River and resulted in the evacuation of several Beacon Drive residents. On April 8, 2004, hazardous materials personnel responded to Hawthorne Road where a resident had used potassium cyanide to commit suicide. Rescue crews also assisted police at several violent calls during the year. These calls included the double shooting on Harris Avenue, the road rage incident at Amherst Road, and several domestic assaults.

The department responded to many serious motor vehicle accidents, several of which required the use of the “Jaws of Life” to free the trapped occupants.  Three patients were evacuated via medical helicopter from accident scenes. Several vehicles struck buildings during the year. A tractor-trailer overturned at D.W. Highway, an overturned tractor trapped a teenager, and crews responded to Maidstone Drive for an electrocution. On numerous occasions, all three Fire Department ambulances have been used simultaneously in the town.

Assistant Chief Howie Young retired after 30-years of service and Lieutenant Charles Smith retired after 22 years of service. Captains Michael Currier and Frank Fraitzl were promoted to Deputy Chief. Master Firefighter Brian Borneman was promoted to Lieutenant. Call Lieutenant Jack Higgins retired and Call Firefighter Chris Wyman was promoted to Call Lieutenant. John Chisholm was hired as a fulltime firefighter/paramedic.

Several employees were honored for their longevity. Captains Larry Rothhaus and William Cashin were recognized for 25-years of service. Lieutenant Ron Hansen and Master Firefighter David Joki were recognized for 20-years of service.

2005

2006

2007

2008