WILLINGTON HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.

A BRIEF HISTORY - 1952 TO 1990

On May 20, 1952, a group of men met at the Boy Scout hall on the Willington Town Green to organize the fire department.  

On June 17, 1952, the fire department was incorporated as the Willington Fire Department No. 2.  Subsequently the incorporation was changed to the Willington Hill Fire Department, Inc.

The first truck to be purchased by the department was a 1938 Ford for $306 on June 19, 1952.

On July 30, 1952, the fire department for $1 leased half of a garage to house the truck from Grace and Raymond Jacobs who lived on the corner of Rt. 44, (now Rt. 74) and Old Farms Road.  The fire department added on to that garage to house a second fire truck, a 1927 Mack as it wouldn’t fit in the existing garage.

The fire department members met for their meetings at Jacob’s garage, the Town Hall or at alternating member’s homes. On December 1, 1953 a committee was appointed by President James Slocum to investigate housing the equipment.  Work was started on the new fire house by August of 1955.  Most of the work on the building was done by the members of the fire department.  On May 22, 1956, the first meeting in the new fire house was held.  In May of 1970, an addition to the building was completed which included a kitchen and a community room.  In January of 1977, an additional bay was added on to the existing three-bay firehouse. 

On March 5, 1955, a brand new Ford American LaFrance fire truck was delivered to the fire department at the cost of $9,774.  This was the first new truck purchased by the fire department. 

On November 29, 1955, the ladies auxiliary of the fire department was formed.  We are very pleased to say that they have continually supported this fire department.

On December 21, 1967 a brand new Ford Farrar fire truck was delivered to the department at the cost of $22,500.  That fire truck served the fire department in its capacity until 1990. On December 22, 1990 a Mack Ranger fire truck was purchased to replace that truck at the cost of $190,000. 

In November of 1973, a GMC Oren tank truck was delivered to the department for $22,000.  In April 1981 an American LaFrance engine tank was delivered to the fire department for $120,000. In September 1986, a Ford EVF rescue truck was delivered to the department for $55,000.

From that first meeting on May 20, 1952 when 20 or so men met till the 1990’s  membership rose to 105 active, honorary and associate men and women.  The Willington Hill Fire Department, Inc. has been moving forward through the years and will continue to progress in the future.