Westford Historical Society’s 2005 Calendar researched and created by Marilyn Day, Wesyford Town Historian (2005)
Slideshow, Alina Jeng, Westford Historical Society Intern (2020)
The Center Fire Station
The fire station holds a special place in the history of Westford and the Westford Museum. From 1928 until 1974, the Museum building served as the home of the Center Fire Station. 1928 Westford had three fire companies: the Edward M. Abbot Hose Company, the Alfred R. Choate Hose Company, and the John Edward Hose Company.
Firefighters commonly wore uniforms that included helmets, turnout coats, boots, and carried axes. Their equipment also included bucket brigades, simple ladders, and hand-pumped engines. The fire station had two leading roles: the Hose Company workers and the Hook and Ladder Company workers. The Hose Company was responsible for water distribution, while the Hook and Ladder Company focused on rescue operations, ventilation, and overhaul tasks.
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Click below to view
“2005 Calendar ~ Fire Companies of Westford Massachusetts”
with full text
Calendar-2005-Firestation
In 1909, the Board of Fire Engineers presented its first annual report, indicating three distinct fire companies in Westford, each consisting of twenty men.
The Edward M. Abbot Hose Company No.1 Westford Center
The Albert R. Choate Hose Company No. 2 Graniteville
The John Edwards Hose Company No. 3 Forge Village
In 1909, it was voted that each member of the Fire Department, including the callmen, should receive a salary of $1 per year. By 1922, the company name was Choate. Edwards and Abbot were dropped from the Town Report, and the fire companies were referred to by their company number only. The 1924 Fire Engineer’s report stated that the horse-drawn hose wagons in Graniteville and Forge Village were practically useless, as there were no horses to haul them.
Westford Fire Chiefs: Sherman H. Fletcher (1910-1912) and Edward M Abbot (1913-1921)
Alonzo H Sutherland (1922-1939), Edmund D. Rogers (1940-1953). Harold E Wright (1954-1955)
Westford Forestry Wardens: John A. Healy (1909-1913) Harry L. Nesmith (1914-1 941)
Leo R. Larkin (1942-1954) Richard W Hall (1955·1955)
Westford Fire Chiefs & Forestry Wardens
Edward N Lamson 1955-1966
George R. Young 1967-1968
Westford’s Full-time Fire Chief
George P. Rogers, 1969-1973, called chief until July 1, 1973,
then full-time chief until his retirement on September 30, 1995
Richard J. Rochon 1995-2013
Joseph Targ 2013 to present
Around Town with Geoff Hall
History of Westford Fire Department 1908-2014
The Westford Fire Department is growing and changing. Geoff Hall visits the WFD to talk with Chief Joseph Targ about the history and future of fire services in Westford.
See more of Around Town with Geoff Hall.
At the Annual Town Meeting in March, the new fire station being built on Boston Road was approved unanimously by voters to be named Fletcher Fire Station One. Geoff Hall goes around town to answer why “Fletcher Station One” by delving into the Westford Fire Department’s history and the Fletcher family’s long-time connection to it (Westford CAT)
To the dedicated men and women of the Westford Fire Department, your service and commitment make a
profound difference in our community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you.