The Cheshire Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1912

Founding and Early Operations (1912–1913)

The Cheshire Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1912 to protect the town's 33.4-square-mile area. The department has been led by 16 fire chiefs throughout its history.

Initial organizational steps and acquisitions are documented in local records from 1912:

• May 1912: The department finalized arrangements to elect approximately twenty additional members, advanced plans to purchase a hook and ladder truck, and debated acquiring permanent quarters, with the existing school building under consideration, as detailed in Record_Journal_1912_05_25_5.jpg.

• July 1912: Members received and began wearing their official department caps, as noted in Record_Journal_1912_07_03_2.jpg. On July 29, 1912, the department officially took delivery of its first large hand-drawn hook and ladder truck, recorded in Record_Journal_1912_07_30_2.jpg.

• October 1912: The department conducted its first official fire drill at the old watch shop. The exercise was directed by Chief Humiston of the hook and ladder truck and Chief Wilmot of the chemical engine. During the drill, member Robert Fenn sustained a finger injury requiring treatment at Jackson’s drug store, as reported in Record_Journal_1912_10_17_8.jpg.

• November 1912: To fund operations, the department organized its annual Thanksgiving night ball at the town hall, featuring music by the Grange orchestra, as documented in Record_Journal_1912_11_15_4.jpg.

In May 1913, a subsequent benefit dance at the Town Hall successfully raised funds earmarked for constructing a dedicated fire headquarters addition. The same month, the department responded to a surprise test alarm at Walter Scott's farm to measure response efficiency, manually pulling their apparatus across dusty local roads only to discover no active fire, as detailed in Record_Journal_1913_05_06_10.jpg.

Major Fires and the Transition to Motorization (1914–1923)

The early reliance on hand-drawn apparatus limited the department's capability during major structural fires:

• January 14, 1914: A midnight fire destroyed a house and barn belonging to Walter Scott on Milldale Road behind the Kenilworth Inn. The blaze resulted in a $5,000 loss and the deaths of four horses. The volunteer fire department was summoned but was unable to render assistance, as outlined in Record_Journal_1914_01_14_1.jpg.

• October 1914: A fire of unknown origin completely destroyed the wooden packing sheds belonging to the North Eastern Forestry Company, resulting in another $5,000 loss, as recorded in Record_Journal_1914_10_30_1.jpg.

To improve response times, the department initiated motorization. Around 1916–1917, the department spent $1,085 to retrofit an Oldsmobile automobile chassis into a custom "fire auto" featuring an updated engine, powerful headlights, and two chemical tanks under the seat.

The early motorized era experienced mechanical issues:

• July 1917: During a noon fire that destroyed two large barns at the Williams' farm (owned by Birdsey Norton), the motorized chemical apparatus failed to start at the firehouse. Chief George W. Thorpe was notified, and local resident Raymond Hine ultimately used his commercial truck to tow the fire engine to the scene. The delay resulted in a $3,000 loss, though a bucket brigade successfully saved the nearby dwelling, as detailed in Record_Journal_1917_07_11_3.jpg.

• December 1917: The motorized chemical engine operated successfully during a chimney fire at the Town Farm, arriving in quick time to allow the crew to secure the scene, as recorded in Record_Journal_1917_12_26_2.jpg.

• 1919: Operational difficulties continued during a separate call where the responding apparatus accidentally deployed in the wrong direction at high speed before correcting its route.

By 1922, the department celebrated its 10th anniversary with a banquet at Grange Hall. That same year, the department purchased a 1922 Ford Model TT / American LaFrance chemical car and hose wagon (Serial Number #F-810) for $2,200.00. To fund a $1,200.00 budget shortfall, Department Trustees George W. Keeler, Alfred S. Bennett, and Arthur S. Backus personally solicited donations from residents. This vehicle featured a 124-inch heavy-duty truck wheelbase and a dual-tank chemical system utilizing sodium bicarbonate and sulfuric acid to generate pressure.

In 1923, the department reported managing 15 alarms for the year. To improve public alerting, the Cheshire Dramatic Club and George W. Keeler each contributed $50.00 to purchase a new municipal siren gong installed at the Town Hall, supplementing the Ball and Socket Manufacturing Company's factory whistle previously used. Additionally, the Cheshire Fire District was formally established in 1923 as a distinct entity to levy taxes dedicated to installing and maintaining municipal fire hydrants.

Permanent Facilities and Fleet Growth (1913–1982)

The First Home: Town Hall Wing (1913–1953)

From 1913 until 1953, the primary station operated out of a custom wing built onto the Cheshire Town Hall at 84 S Main St. Frontline apparatus and hand carts occupied the ground floor, while the second floor was leased to the Southern New England Telephone Company. Telephone operators working on the upper level received emergency calls and manually triggered the town's fire sirens. The CFD vacated this space in 1953; it currently serves as offices for the Cheshire Parks and Recreation Department.

The Second Home: Mitchell Avenue (1953–1982)

On August 4, 1952, the Town of Cheshire purchased land and an existing building at the corner of Maple and Mitchell Avenues, adjacent to the Waverly Inn. The facility opened in March 1953 as a dual-purpose compound housing both fire apparatus and early police offices. It featured the town's first modern municipal air horn alerting system. In 1954, Station No. 2 was constructed on Byam Road by the Cheshire Heights Neighborhood Association to provide localized coverage for the west side of town.

Apparatus Expansion

The fleet expanded continuously across the mid-to-late 20th century:

• 1924: Acquisition of a heavy fire truck (American LaFrance/Brockway).

• 1929: Delivery of a new booster-pump truck.

• 1952: Acquisition of a Ford pumper.

• 1956: Acquisition of an American LaFrance 900-series engine.

• 1964: Delivery of a Maxim F 1000/1000 pumper.

• 1970: Deployment of a Maxim open-cab chassis featuring a Pierce 75-foot Snorkel boom, which remained in frontline service through a 1987 refurbishment.

In 1982, the department transitioned out of the Mitchell Avenue station into the current, larger Fire Headquarters located next door at 250 Maple Avenue. The 1953 Mitchell Avenue building was retained by the department for use as Training Division classrooms and equipment storage.

Modern Era and Administrative Structure (2004–Present)

To address expanding regulatory and administrative requirements, the town restructured the agency in 2004 into a dual-branch system managed by a unified command:

Branch	Personnel Status	Primary Responsibilities
The Cheshire Municipal Fire Department	5 Career Employees	Daily code enforcement, plan reviews, and fire investigations.
The Cheshire Fire Department Inc.	75+ Active Volunteers	Active firefighting, suppression, and specialized rescue operations.

Following this 2004 restructuring, Chief Jack Casner has overseen both the career administrative staff and the volunteer emergency response force as fire chief.

Historical Personnel and Roster Breakdown

The department has been built on a dedicated lineage of fire chiefs, officers, and volunteers who have shaped its operations over more than a century.

Succession of Fire Chiefs (1912–Present)

• Paul Klimpke (1912–1914; First Chief)

• George W. Thorpe (1917–1934; Charter Member)

• Richard Williams (1934–1948)  

  
  

• Warren E. Hall (1948–1954)  

  
  

• Emil L. Yocher (1954–1957)  

  
  

• William I. Willetts (1957–1959)  

  
  

• Edwin C. Walston (1959–1960)  

  
  

• Richard A. Linke (1960–1965)  

  
  

• Howard Linke (1965–1966)  

  
  

• Jack Williams (1966–1974)  

  
  

• Richard Tice (1974–1979)  

  
  

• Anthony Napolitano (1979–1984)  

  
  

• Douglas Yocher (1984–1987)  

  
  

• Pat Rubbo (1987–1990)  

  
  

• Chris Bowman (1990–1996)  

  
  

• Jack Casner (1996–Present; First Career Fire Chief)  

  
  

Notable Past and Recent Company Officers

Operations across the department's companies have been overseen by a succession of senior officers and technical staff, including:

• Deputy Chief: Thomas Bremer

• Assistant Chiefs: Jeff Pechmann, George Donnarumma

• Captains: Gunnar Norback, Dennis Pechmann, Brian Owen

• Lieutenants: Rick Trocchi, Shimel Lewis

• Director of Communications: Chris Corso

Fire Marshal's Office Personnel

The career-administrative and fire prevention branch has relied on specialized inspectors and marshals to oversee town code enforcement:

• Fire Marshal: Michael Kozlowski

• Deputy Fire Marshals: Donn Youngquist (retired 2026), Steve Casner, Craig Henderson, Owen Fowler (succeeded Youngquist in 2026)

• Fire Inspector: Tim Wyzoczanski

Distinguished Members

Many longtime Cheshire residents will remember James "Sparky" Doherty, one of the most respected figures in the history of the Cheshire Fire Department. Serving as Cheshire's first paid full-time Fire Marshal, Doherty held the position from 1978 until his retirement in 1997, making him the longest-serving Fire Marshal in the town's history.

A volunteer firefighter beginning in 1954, Doherty dedicated nearly six decades of service to the department. He became especially well known to generations of local schoolchildren as "Sparky the Fire Dog," visiting elementary schools in costume to teach fire safety and prevention. His commitment to public education was matched by his reputation as a meticulous enforcer of fire codes, helping to raise safety standards throughout the community.

Beyond Cheshire, Doherty served as president of the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association and earned numerous honors, including Firefighter of the Year, the William Grove Award, and induction into the Connecticut State Firefighters Association Hall of Fame in 2011.

A veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, Doherty also spent more than 33 years teaching at Crosby High School in Waterbury. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 95, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of public service, education, and community leadership.

Distinguished Service and Line of Duty Legacy

The department preserves the memories of its service members through historical recognition and honors:

• Line of Duty Losses: In addition to the departmental legacy of William "Willie" Grove II, the department honors the memory of William H. Grove 3rd, who passed away on December 17, 1975.

• Historical Honorees: Early distinguished personnel recognized by the department include John Bates (1982), Louis Hotchkiss (1983), and Wilbur Verner (1984).

• Recent Honorees: Notable modern personnel recognized for exemplary service include 2021 honoree Lt. Bryan Keene, along with John Simmon, Nick Kehoss, Griffin Stover, and Colby Fasano.