History

The Full Story

In The Beginning

On a Tuesday evening in late January 1917, a small group of concerned neighbors gathered in a building on Center Road in the village of Nichols, Connecticut. They were trying to create a fire protection organization and were selecting leaders for the new group. Lewis D. Christie was named the Department's first Fire Chief with the Assistant Chief's position filled by E.P. Curtiss. George McClellan, Jr. was named the first Captain, and Stanley Linley was named the Lieutenant. The secretary and treasurer duties were combined and completed by one man, Clarence Cooper.

Despite the first meeting happening in January, the group didn't get their first fire apparatus until August. The long awaited Ford Model "T" chemical truck had it's first fire call at "Ransom's House," according to the minutes from the December 1917 monthly meeting. Member Lewis Shelton responded with the truck and extinguished the fire, preventing any serious damage.

It took until later November of 1919 until the Connecticut Legislature recognized the "Nichols Fire District" and granted it the authority to levy a fire tax. Then, in December 1920, the fire district secured a loan of $500 to renovate and lease a former school, coincidentally named Nichols School, on Shelton Road and convert it into a firehouse. In 1935, the town of Trumbull deeded that property to the fire district for the amount of $1.

Moving Forward

In 1937, plans were underway to construct a new firehouse. Members wanted a bigger building that was more modern and up-to-date. The kind of building that could house newer and more sophisticated firetrucks. At this point in time, sophisticated firetrucks were those that had their own water pump, hoses, ladders and carried their own tank of water. In April of the following year, for a cost of $21,000 (about $466,986.38 in 2024), the construction was complete. Upon moving into the firehouse, now deemed Station 1, the District's first true pumping engine was placed in service.

Later On

In 1973, a second firehouse was built at the intersection of Booth Hill and MacDonald Road in order to keep up with the growing community. This station was named in honor of Past Fire Chief Arthur J. Kennedy, who proudly served the Department from 1959 to 1969. This station, respectively called "Station 2" is now the home of one quint, one engine, and the fire apparatus maintenance facility.

Night Crew

During the early days of World War II, it was decided that the firehouse would be staffed each evening and night in order to enhance the fire department's readiness during such troubled times. This was the inception of what is now referred to as, "sleeping on." Personnel volunteered shifts and slept at the firehouse every night of the year. When an alarm hit, it was only a matter of seconds before the sound of apparatus sirens were heard throughout the community. Nearly sixty years later, a practice similar to this continues as out current firehouse still contains sleeping quarters which are utilized on a regular basis.

The night crew consists of senior members who agree to "sleep on." With members at the station during overnight hours, it only takes a minute, if that, to get an apparatus rolling.

Each member of the night crew is assigned a bunk, a locker, and a riding position on specific apparatus. In addition Station 1 boasts a full kitchen and shower facilities to provide night crew members amenities just as if at home. The night crew often drills together which builds confidence adding to the tightly woven group.

The Nichols Fire Department night crew is one of the longest running and unique groups of volunteer firefighters anywhere in the nation. Their dedication allows for fire protection during the communities most vulnerable hours.

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