Saco's fire stations

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A Newsletter by the City of Saco, Maine	August, 2005	Return to newsletter index

The current Central Fire Station located on Thornton Avenue is the fourth station located in the City's downtown area.

The first location was in Pepperell Square and it housed the first City owned firefighting equipment. This station housed the Niagra Handtub purchased in 1848 and the Deluge Handtub purchased in 1852. These handtubs were pulled by firefighters and manually pumped by large swingarms extended when the tub was positioned to fight the fire. These two pieces replaced older handtubs that were privately owned and operated by the Saco Mutual Fire Club and the Saco & Biddeford Village Corporation. Repurchased in 1928 by the newly formed Saco Fire Department Veterans Association, the first city owned apparatus the Niagra is still fully operational. They proudly display the handtub in parades and occasionally set the handtub and pump water.

In 1855, the Niagra and Deluge Hose companies moved to new quarters located in the new City Hall. Located on the Cutts Avenue side were 2 engine rooms, each with a hall where the companies met. It is interesting that the separate hose companies did not share any facilities including hose towers. Each hose company was independent of the other and rivalries existed so separate quarters were built. The larger of the engine rooms was large enough to house a hook and ladder company should the city purchase one. Today the engine bays openings are windows in the present city hall design.

In 1892, the Fire Department was relocated to the present site on Thornton Avenue. This station housed the Public Works Department also. The reason the departments were housed together was that they shared the city horses. While one team was doing the trash run the other team was resting at the station, available for fire duty. This station housed both horse drawn apparatus and then motorized apparatus after 1918.

In 1937, work on the current Central Fire Station was started. The station was built as part of the federal government Work Progress Administration. This program used federal dollars for local qualifying projects to stimulate the economy. The station was built behind the original Thornton Avenue Station, which was razed when the new station was completed. The station was dedicated in 1938 and still houses the department. It has undergone minor renovations since 1938 to have the station remain functional. Improvement projects have included a new heating system, a new apparatus floor to support the new heavier apparatus, new windows and overhead doors, a new roof, a gym area, bedrooms have been added, and a new vehicle exhaust collection and extraction system. The rear portion of the station, which originally housed Public Works and later the Recreation Department is now occupied by the Fire Department.

The City purchased land from General Dynamics on North Street where someday a new fire facility will be built.