HISTORY

The Birth of SWNH District Fire Mutual Aid

By: Retired Lieutenant David Whipple

Believe it or not, there was a time when getting help from other towns to assist at a large fire wasn’t as easy as it is today. Back in the “Old Days” fire chiefs often had to confer with their selectmen before requesting help from their neighbors. However, on March 23, 1953, the wheels were put in motion to change all of that, when a meeting was held at The Keene Central Fire Station to discuss a method of cooperation between fire departments in the county. At a second meeting held on May 3, 1953, an association was formed and officers and directors were elected. Those that were elected are as follows:

  • President: Chief Walter Messer, KFD

  • Secretary: Robert Callahan, Captain KFD

  • Treasurer: Walter Post, Spofford

  • George Porter, Langdon

  • Chester Nason, Marlboro NH

  • H.S. Wood, Peterborough

  • Winston Cray, Chesterfield

  • Ralph Hoyt, Rindge

  • Fred Corey, Marlow

The following two or so years were considered a “study period”. It quickly became obvious that a dispatch center could more easily coordinate the activity of member departments in a more efficient way. In the past, fire calls would go to the department whose services were needed, however it was soon obvious that a fire mutual aid system needed a focal point from which operations could be initiated, guided and coordinated. It was decided that the Keene Central Fire Station was a logical choice, since it was the only manned station in the area.

In 1956 a committee was formed to study the use of 2-way radios. Leading radio manufacturers were invited to explore the best methods of setting up radio communications within the system. Radio cars were used to explore radio coverage. Cheshire County approved $5000 for base stations and towns appropriated money for mobile radios.

1957 brought the 2 way communications to the system. Over $200,000 was invested by local towns for radios. The first 2 antenna sites were put into service on Hyland Hill and Pack Monadnock. Also in 1957, the state legislature amended Statute 154 allowing mutual aid systems to become municipal organizations. The system petitioned the State Fire Marshal's office to call a meeting of the Association for an organizational meeting under the provisions of the amended law. On March 19, 1958, a meeting was held and the official name of the system became Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid. It was a legal municipal corporation, which re-elected its officers, and enlarged its board of directors.

During the time of testing and development, various procedures were implemented, which led to the present organization. A number of new fire departments were formed in towns that previously had to rely on their neighbors for fire protection. 

At an executive board meeting held in Gilsum on March 25, 1962, Robert Callahan was appointed Chief Coordinator for the Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid System, to serve at this time without compensation. It was further voted that as soon as funds were available and such Coordinator’s salary has been determined, as well as the date when Robert C. Callahan will be able to devote his full time and energies to the benefit of the Fire Mutual Aid system, a further vote will be considered and acted upon to cover this situation.

In the early fall of 1962, the Southwestern New Hampshire District Fire Mutual Aid System opened its new headquarters in the Keene Fire Station. In addition to Chief Robert Callahan, SWNHDFMA employed 3 dispatchers, David Adams, Morgan Wright and Dean Seavey.