Author: Mike Colon

IN REMEMBERANCE: George Batchelder was one of 7 men hired in 1950 by Chief Johnson to create a third shift. The department then went to a 56-hour work week. The men would work three days followed by two days off and then three nights. In 1964 George was moved off the line to Day Personnel and assisted the Supt. Of Alarms until his retirement in 1968. He died on January 25, 1976.

George’s son-in-law, Tony Esposito would join the department on May 24, 1957, retiring in 1984 at the rank of Lieutenant. George’s Great-grandson, Jason Stacoffe, was a WHFD Volunteer and is currently a member of the Milford Fire Department.

#ThrowbackThursday In 1911, the West Haven Fire Department purchased four pieces of motorized apparatus from the Knox Automobile Company of Springfield MA. Three of these were Chemical Combination Engines but the fourth was a three-wheel tractor that was used to pull West Haven Hook & Ladder’s ladder wagon. Pictured here is Chief Charles Cameron (on right) pulling out of the second Avenue Station, and a nice shot of the apparatus from the side.

Members of West Haven Hook & Ladder Company #1 in front of Second Avenue Station in 1957. Many famous Westies and several icons of the fire service are included in this photo.

First row – Left to Right

Jack Meany, Willie O’Connor, Bill Guthrie, Bob Gadd, Chief Johnson,
Hank Wheeler, Al Cadenhead, George Weeks, Den Doran, Bud Pelliccia

Second Row – Left to Right

Nick Lucente, Wiggy Johnson, Charlie Raubeson, Bill Heffernan, Chick Maliff,
Duane Sheppard, George Gibbard, Lou Votto, Doc McPartland, Jackie O’Connor,
William Alleshunas, Sr., Don Forsyth, Charlie Davidson

DID YOU KNOW? Although some people would believe that the honor of the first fully mechanized (or motorized) fire department in the United States goes to the fire department of Savannah, Georgia. In 1911, after the purchase and successful operation of the new American La France Auto Combination Chemical Wagon, Savannah’s City Council placed an order for 11 of the new apparatus to upgrade their entire department, thus making them the first fully mechanized fire department in the country. But were they really? By September of 1911 the West Haven Fire Department had accepted delivery of four Knox mechanized apparatus and had placed them in service in each of the four fire houses in town. Engine & Hose Company #1, North End Hose Company #3, and Savin Rock Hose Company #4 each received a Knox Chemical Combination Automobile Wagon and Hook & Ladder Company #1 received a Knox Three Wheel Tractor to pull its ladder wagon. Although Savannah had placed their order in 1911, delivery of the entire order would not be completed until 1912. The FIRST fully mechanized fire department in the United States, West Haven, CT, had their apparatus in service by the end of September 1911.