History

The history of The Brunswick Fire Department dates back to 1876, when the Volunteer Oceanic Fire Company #1 moved into their new headquarters on Queens Square in 1876. The shining American LaFrance steam engine known as the Viola traveled on a horse-drawn wagon through the city streets, accompanied by the Brunswick Brass Band and the Brunswick Riflemen.

In 1884, a group of Brunswick citizens formed Mechanics Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. By 1890, the city enlarged the fire station and augmented its volunteer fire service with a paid squad. That decision to improve the city’s fire protection paid off in 1896 when a fire engulfed the warehouses full of turpentine, rosins and lumber at the port of Brunswick, and spread rapidly. Over half of downtown businesses were destroyed, but the city’s brave firefighters managed to save the rest.

In 1914 the entire department was supplied with motorized apparatus, ending the days of horse drawn fire wagons in Brunswick. Then a move to the current headquarters on Gloucester St. in 1932 ended the Queen Square firehouse era, but the legacy of Brunswick’s dedicated firefighters lives on.