History of the Orleans Fire Department

The beginning

1. Members of the local community began to become concerned with fire protection as early as 1893. Community members voted at the Annual town meeting in 1893 to spend up to one thousand dollars for the purchase of a pumper and hose.
2. A committee of two citizens and three selectmen was formed to purchase the first pumper. After an official demonstration at the Town Cove, this first “hand tub” fire pumper was put in service.
3. During its service the pumper proved it’s worth, saving many structures including the Town Hall. This first pumper was replaced by a motor driven chemical fire engine in February 1922.
4. Shortly after the arrival of this chemical fire engine, the Orleans Fire Department was officially organized with Chester W. Ellis appointed as the first official Fire Chief.

Important Dates in Our History

• February 6, 1893 Town meeting approved $1,000.00 for purchase of hand drawn fire pumper and hose. The new pumper was housed on the Leo Cummings estate.
• February 7, 1922 Second Fire Engine arrives in town; 1922 Model T ford
• February 1922 Fire Department was officially organized Chester Ellis named first Fire Chief
• June 21, 1923 Special town meeting approved $7,250.00 for new pumper to be built by the Maxim Motor Co.
• February 1925 Town meeting approved $7,000.00 for new fire station
• July 9, 1929 George Knowles Appointed Fire Chief
• February 4, 1935 Town meeting approved $600.00 for Ford truck to be used as combination hose and ladder truck
• February 7, 1938 Town meeting approved $1,000.00 for the purchase of portable forest fire pump and hose
• February 5, 1940 Town meeting approved $7,000.00 for purchase of a six hundred gallon triple combination fire engine pumper
• September 1947 Previously started Fire Station Addition finished new station housed the Barnstable County Forest Fire Service Truck and the Ambulance
• February 19, 1951 Town meeting approved $566.60 to purchase E & J Resuscitator for Fire department
• February 27, 1952 Fire ravages Snow library the building is a total loss
• May 1, 1952 Lawrence Ellis appointed Fire Chief Orleans Fire Station is located at the police station
• May 1979 Raphael Merrill named fire chief

Today

1. Today, the Orleans Fire Department provides Fire and Rescue services to the community. It’s a combination of services, providing fire suppression and EMS response twenty four hours a day seven days a week.
2. The department has 20 career personnel including a Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief and full-time Fire Inspector. With 14 full-time cross trained firefighter paramedics and 4 full-time firefighter EMT-A’s, our career staff is supplemented by a 12 member call firefighter force.
3. The Orleans Fire Rescue Department operates out of one station with a combination of 13 pieces of apparatus and equipment. It responds to just over 2,300 calls for service annually.
4. Operating within a broad range of services, the department responds to not only fire and medical emergencies, but we also respond to fire alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, motor vehicle accidents, beach / water rescues, hazardous material spills, technical rescues, boating emergencies, investigations and citizen assists.
5. Overall, we provide fire prevention, public education, and community assistance for all citizens.
6. The Orleans Fire Rescue Department works closely with all other town departments by providing a safe community to live, work and vacation in.