Hope Valley Fire Association

Brief History of the Fire Company

After a series of major fires in the Hope Valley area a group of concerned citizens met at Camp Yawgoog under the leadership of Hopkinton's C.D. Director Clinton "Inky" Armstrong who was also the camp ranger. At this meeting it was voted to hold a second meeting at the Grange Hall to procure articles of association.

President - Frank Lester Smith Fire Chief - Arthur Stanley Jr First Assistant Chief - Alexander Smith Second Assistant Chief - Elbert Stanton Secretary - George V. Card Treasurer - William W. Taylor

On March 20, 1942 said association was incorporated in the State of Rhode Island as a volunteer fire association by Attorney Edward M. Botelle. The association then purchased a used chassis; a 1934 Dodge that was being used as a meat delivery truck. With all volunteer help the meat truck body was removed and a 3OO-gallon water tank was installed with an all wood body for hose and equipment. A 75-gpm front mount PTO pump was installed and Hope Valley?s first fire truck was placed into service. Until a fire station could be constructed they used Chief Stanley?s barn at 1060 Main Street to house the new pumper.

On September 22, 1942 land was purchased at 14 Spring Street, the present location of the Legend?s Bar & Grill, for the site of the new fire station. Prior to construction of the station, the Association was offered the property and building located at 1027 Main Street which was currently housing the Hope Valley Machine Company for $6000.

On January 5. 1943 the Association voted to purchase the Hope Valley Machine Company property and sold the land on Spring Street. Through all volunteer labor, the building was converted to a two bay fire station This site presently houses the Hope Valley Post Office.

Leroy "Pop" Sherman then constructed the department's first fire alarm system using parts from the old Hope Valley Telegraph office. A mercury switch and an outside siren. A master switch was then installed in the local telephone office located in the home of Margarete Nichols at 1048 Main Street. The local phone operators would receive the alarm by phone and then sound the station's siren. The first firefighter to arrive at the station would ring the operator and receive the location of the alarm.

The association was housed at this location until the new station was occupied at 996 Main Street on March 1973.

Up until the Association was incorporated, The Town of Hopkinton had to rely on the Westerly Fire Department and/or the Richmond Fire Department, which was housed at the Fred W. Smith property, now the location of Chariho Furniture. The town of Hopkinton would pay each department $100 per call to respond to fires in the Hope Valley area.

In early 1943 the town of Richmond and said association signed an agreement turning over the town's one pumper fully equipped to said association in exchange for five (5) years of free fire protection at an estimated cost of $200. After the five (5) years the town then paid said Association $500 per year for fire protection and the town of Hopkinton paid $1000 per year.

This now gave the association two pieces of apparatus with the addition of the Richmond engine, a 1930 Diamond "T" with two brass chemical tanks, a 500 gpm front mount pump, a 400 gpm rnidship pump, and fully equipped to ISO requirements. The 400 gpm midship pump and body were on an American LaFrance chassis dating back to 1911 prior to the 1930 chassis being installed by the town.

In 1947 said association purchased their first new custom-built pumper on an International chassis. This engine was equipped with a 500 gpm front mount pump, 500 gallons of water, 110 feet of ground ladders and all other hose and equipment to comply with ISO standards. This pumper fully equipped was purchased from the Farrar Company of Woodville, MA for $8550.00.

Due to the cost of this pumper the association needed to increase its fundraising which, at that time, consisted of collecting scrap metals, newspapers, and cardboard, running suppers, dances, card games, carnivals, selling home fire extinguishers, cleaning chimneys, burning grass and brush, running minstrel shows, and receiving gifts and donations. They voted to start holding Bingo garnes, which became so successful they had to run buses from Westerly and Wakefield to bring in the players. The Bingo games ran until 1954 when the association voted to discontinue them due to lack of interest. In 1947 three major fires occurred. On March 14, 1947 at 8:00 p.m. the Rawlings Grain Mill was destroyed by fire. The grain mill and Hope Valley Train Station were located at the site of the district's main station at 996 Main Street. On April 8, 1947 the Hopkinton Woolen Mill fire occurred. This is now the site of a furniture making business in Moscow, and on July 30, 1947 the E.R. Bitgood Box Company was destroyed by fire located on the east side of the Wyoming Dam.

In May of 1950 the Hope Valley Junior High School was gutted by fire. This is the present three-story brick section of the Hope Valley Elementary School.

At the March 6, 1951 association meeting, President Clinton "Inky" Armstrong accepted the keys and a paid up insurance policy for the association's first ambulance.

The 1941 Cadillac ambulance was presented by Rob Roy Rawlings. president of the local Chamber of Commerce, and Arthur Sweeney, chairman of the Chamber's Ambulance Committee. The association then formed the Hope Valley Fire Company section and the Hope Valley Ambulance Squad section. They each held their own monthly meetings and both attended the association's monthly meetings.

The squad's first officers were Captain David Jordan, Recording Secretary Frederick Kenney, 151 Lieutenant Loren Andrews, and 2nd Lieutenant Joseph Ulbin. With the addition of the new ambulance, volunteers constructed an addition to the rear of the station to house the ambulance and a first aid room. The ambulance began a house to house subscription solicitation, which still remains a main source of income today.

On Mother's Day, May 13, 1951, said association lost its first firefighter in the line of duty, Chief Engineer John R. Clark at age 52. John died after inhaling flames and smoke from a major forest fire that occurred on May 2, 195 I. This fire started in West Greenwich and was finally brought under control on Spring Street in Hope Valley that same day.

This is still recorded as one of New England's fastest moving forest fires that destroyed over 7000 acres.

John, the only firefighter from said association and fire district to have died in the line of action John died while working on the engine of the 1947 pumper after being trapped at Mount Tom off of Route 165 in Exeter. John received little credit for saving his crew that day by keeping the engine running as they traveled through heavy flames and smoke until reaching safety at the four corner meeting house on Rt. 165.

In the 1950's and 1960's, due to the talents of Chief Engineer John E. Hill, Jr., Assistant Engineer Charles B. Smith, and many volunteers said association constructed several pieces of its own fire apparatus. Buying a new chassis they engineered and constructed the apparatus providing great savings to said association and the taxpayers.

During that same period of time the association replaced the 1941 ambulance with a new 1954 ambulance and in 1961 replaced the 1954 ambulance with another new unit.

During the election of officers in 1957 Chief Alexander Smith, who replaced Chief Arthur Stanley in 1945 after Chief Stanley stepped down was defeated by Walter "Bud" Browning who served as chief until 1959 when Chief Smith was again re-elected.At the October 3, 1961 meeting of said association a petition from the ambulance squad to separate was approved by the membership. The ambulance remained located at the fire station until the new ambulance building was constructed on Fairview Avenue.

Said association saw little changes in the town appropriations and in 1965 they were still only receiving $2000 per year from Hopkinton and $1000 per year from Richmond. At the November 1964 election of officers, Chief Smith was defeated for the fire chief's position by Third Assistant Chief Frederick A. Stanley, the grandson of the first chief.

Following the election he began working to increase town funding and state fire academy training programs. By the 1970's and 1980's the towns were providing much of the associations operating budget and also was approving some Federal Revenue Sharing Funds for capital outlays.

On June 11, 1967 the association created its famous Clown Act to help promote the new Washington County Fair and fire prevention programs. For many years the clowns were a major attraction at the fair and also at parades and other events throughout the state. Using the Diamond" T" pumper for transportation they became main attractions at all fire company events. The original act consisted of Charles B. Smith, David Smith, William Gilman, William Day, and Robert King in 1967 the association again started up the Bingo games. The Bingo games this time became so successful that they were responsible for the purchasing of several pieces of apparatus, much new equipment, the refurbishing of the station at 1027 Main Street, the purchasing of land for the new station at 996 Main Street, and the construction and equipping of the new station at 996 Main Street costing some $165,000 in total.

The Bingo games ran until the station mortgage was paid off in 1979. Key people in the success of the Bingo games were William Day, Bob Stanley, Oscar Tefft, Sr., John E. Hill, Jr., Frederick" Butch" Stanley, David Wightman, Peter Zegarzewski, Louis Cimalore, Tom Harrington, Fay Blacklock, Ladies Auxiliary, and many more.

In 1969 the association purchased its second custom pumper from the Farrar Company, a 750 gpm pumper with 750 gallons of water, for $33,000 fully equipped,

On February 4, 1971 the association purchased the Rawlings Grain Mill property at 996 Main Street from Robert and Alice Bitgood for $15,000. In 1972 Mr. John Cunningham, a local architect, completed the plans and specifications for the new station. John performed all labor and also served as the clerk of works during construction for a total fee of $1000 Deputy Chief Robert King donated his time in drawing the fire alarm and electrical specifications for said station. The station Building Committee consisted of Chairperson David Wightman, Vice Chairperson Oscar Tefft, Sr., Fay G. Blacklock, William G. Day, and Frederick A. Stanley.

The new station was dedicated on March II, 1973 and the old station was made into a hall for fundraising events only. Said association sold the old station to Joseph LaMountain on October 9, 1981. It presently houses the Hope Valley Post Office.

In 1973 after a tragic drowning of children in Locustville Pond the association formed its first dive team. Heading up the Dive Team were Paul Varas, Bill Day, Bill Ross. Sr., David Wightman, John Bowen, Sr.. Earl Denton, Billy Fisk, and several other officers and members. This was also the start of our water and ice rescue team when Marcel Boeglin donated a boat and the Chariho Rotary Club donated a 20 h.p. outboard motor.

In 1973 we also became one of the first in the state to purchase ice rescue suits along with South Kingstown.

In 1975 the association became one of the first fire departments in the state to obtain a Federal 501-(c)(3) tax exemption. Mr. Thomas Black, Sr. put out a challenge to us that he would give us a $15.000 grant from the Kimball Foundation if we could obtain the Federal exemption. The $15,000 grant was received and used to purchase a new 1976 Mack Pumper at a total cost of $64.000

In the 1970's the association formed its first junior firefighters program. This program was very beneficial in recruiting youths to become involved in firefighting. Through this program we have developed many outstanding young firefighters of which several are now chiefs of their own departments. Others have gone on to be employed by fully paid departments. and several are leading officers of our fire district.

Due to the Explorer Post regulations the program is again a junior program for youths 14-18 years old.

In 1975, due to a grant from the Kimball Foundation and a Federal grant from the Federal Highway Safety Funds. we and the City of Providence became the first in our state and one of the first in New England to place into service the Hurst Jaws of Life. We presently have both the Special Hazards Unit and Engine 912 equipped with full sets of Hurst tools and other extrication equipment.

June 10. 1979 the association dedicated the deceased member monument at the northeast side of the station in memory of our deceased members. A special ceremony was held to recognize the heroic efforts of Chief Engineer John R. Clark. during the dedication services. Members of John's family including his widow also took part in the services.

The association in 1981 purchased its first new tanker, a 1981 Mack 3000-gallon tanker with a 500-gpm

PTO pump. This again was paid for by funds raised from the Bingo games and other fundraising at a cost of $59.671.

In the late 1970's due to well water problems in the Hope Valley area the town of Hopkinton received a grant to study putting in a public water system. A committee was formed once the study was completed to work on the creation of a fire and water district for the area.

Appointed to serve on this committee from the town of Hopkinton was Robert Sousa and from Richmond, Ronald Richard. Chief Stanley and several other officers represented the association. Attorney Richard Panciera, who was a resident of Hope Valley at that time, volunteered to handle all of the legal work at no charge.

The committee, after many months of looking at other districts throughout the state, finalized legislation and had Senator Rob Roy Rawlings submit it to the General Assembly during the 1980 session.

Said legislation and similar legislation for an Ashaway Fire District passed the General Assembly and was presented to the voters of Hopkinton and Richmond. The Act overwhelmingly passed Richmond but failed to pass Hopkinton, as did Ashaway's. Both towns needed to pass the Act before it could take effect.

The association in 1981 purchased its first new tanker, a 1981 Mack 3000-gallon tanker with a 500-gpm PTO pump. This again was paid for by funds raised from the Bingo games and other fundraising at a cost of $59.671. On August 24, 1982 after several months of hard work by Representative John Gilman and the committee, the Act was again presented to the taxpayers and was passed by both towns with little opposition.

At the first meeting of the newly enacted fire district the following officers were elected as the , fire district's first officers:

Chairperson - George Rathbun Vice Chairperson - Ralph Woodmansee Director - Thomas Russell Director - Pasquale DeBernardo Director, - David Weremay Clerk - Josephine Langworthy Treasurer - Judy Scholfield Tax Collector - Joan Howard Fire Chief - Frederick A. Stanley First Deputy Chief -Thomas Rekowski, Second Deputy Chief - Joseph Rekowksi, Third Deputy Chief - Robert Wilcox, Fourth Deputy Chief - Charles H. Niles

The new Board appointed Attorney Richard Panciera as the district's attorney Richard has volunteered his services since the late 1970's and still serves in this position. In 1983 the association purchased its final piece of apparatus, a 1983 GMC 1000 gpm pumper, which they purchased with the funds from the sale of the old station and remaining Bingo monies and donated it to the district

In 1984 the association, after strong opposition from several officers, unanimously voted to accept its first woman firefighter, Sandra Edwards.

Since the forming of the association in 1942 the woman were all a part of the Hope Valley Volunteer Fire Association's Ladies Auxiliary and the acceptance of the association's first woman as a firefighter became a major decision for the all-male department.

The Ladies Auxiliary since forming provided the association with outstanding support in assisting with fundraising. running the Bingo's, supplying refreshments at major fires and incidents and donating funds for major projects. They provided the association with all of the funding for the equipping of the Rec. Room when the new station was constructed. The auxiliaries are still a key supporter of our officers and firefighters and are very beneficial to the success of our growing department.

in 1984 following a major chemical fire at Carroll Products in Wood River Junction the district In conjunction with the R.l. Southern Firemen's league purchased a used heavy rescue from North Providence and began equipping it as a special hazards unit/heavy rescue. The league began training officers and firefighters to serve as the areas first Hazardous Materials Team.

In February 1985, after the death of Retired Chief Alexander Smith, the Smith Family donated the base of the original drinking fountain that was located at Depot Square in 1892, this is now the site of the Hope Valley Fire Station at 996 Main Street. The base of the fountain was mounted in front of station and is now used to display flowers in the summer months. The upper section of the fountain still has not been located.

The Alton Volunteer Fire Association, being the only area in Richmond not within a fire district at that time, petitioned the district in 1986 to become a part of the Hope Valley-Wyoming Fire District. A committee was formed and on September 7, 1987 the Alton Volunteer Fire Association, its area. and its equipment and station became a part of the fire district.