~ THE 1960's ~

The workload of the 60's nearly doubled that of the previous decade. Trucks purchased were already nine years old. Education for firefighters to teach them the dangers of new plastic materials used in building materials was a must. Talk of new trucks would be at hand and a rescue truck might be considered. Response calls included more than fires. It handled rescues, public assistance calls (cats in trees, children locked in bath rooms, etc.) auto accidents, plane crashes, drownings and emergency medical health calls. Response calls doubled, from 450 in the 50's to well over 1,000 in the 60's. A pumper was delivered in 1962 and another in 1966, but thoughts of a rescue truck were delayed a few years.

First Rescue Truck an 1969 International Step Van loaded and ready to go - nicknamed the "Bread Box"
Admiring the newly purchased vehicle - Left to Right
Dick Sullivan, Joe Duca, Ron Lobossiere (in truck), Capt. Robert McCarthy and Chief William McCarthy

A very large fire in 1960 destroyed the O'Connell Factory (see pictures of fires) on Howe Street, with the exception of the boiler room.


The Lyonhurst Ballroom burned in 1963(see pictures of fires). It  was built in 1922 by Joseph A. Lyons in memory of his wife and daughter, Marion. The famous building hosted many exciting events, from the appearance of big bands to great balls and weddings, and in its later years, a roller skating rink. A three alarm fire destroyed the building on March 7, 1963.


The City was growing rapidly and the need for an Easterly station was investigated as the alarm system grew larger, stretching more than seven miles of wire a year.

Camaraderie with the Police Department was in evidence if witnessed at a softball game between the two "rivals". Proceeds of the games were a fund raiser for Muscular Dystrophy. An informal parade preceded each game and it was not unusual to have a grapefruit painted white to be used as a softball, or to have base runners run backwards. There were silly uniforms and uncontrolled antics by members of both departments. The citizens enjoyed it and the money raised was for a worthy cause. The games ended in the 60's and other events were tried. A "fill a boot" campaign ran a few years, but the most successful was a voluntary Toll Road during the mid to late eighties. The men in the . department can always be counted on to give their free time to a worthy cause.

In 1965, the men moved from a 56 hour work week to 42 hours. Chief Brecken retired after 16 years of dedicated service. Firefighters formed a union on August 28,1967. William McCarthy moved from Captain to take over the Chief s position in 1968.

After Chief McCarthy retired, Chief William D. Maroney took over in 1969. The City's population doubled since Marlborough became a City and fire calls increased about 15% each year in the 60's and 70's. Along with public safety and fire safety awareness programs, the Fire Department conducted over 200 home fire safety inspections a year. They would also visit each school, nursing home and business for quarterly inspections. Grade schools 1 through 8 were introduced to fire safety programs annually.

Back to List