Broad Brook Fire Department Celebrates 125th Anniversary [PHOTOS]

BROAD BROOK, CT — Most people would have to look up the word "quasquicentennial" in the dictionary, or in more modern methods, Google it. It is the official term for a 125th anniversary, which is exactly what is being celebrated this year by the Broad Brook Volunteer Fire Department.

Chief Thomas Arcari, retired Chief Dave Lockwood and Assistant Chief Gerry Bancroft gathered recently with Patch to reminisce about the department's history, from raging infernos to a brush with Hollywood royalty.

Initially a fire department organized in 1896 by the Broad Brook Company, a textile manufacturer which employed about 300 people at the turn of the 20th century, 35 men enrolled to serve under initial Chief F.F. Strunz. The first station was adjacent to the mill at what is now 110 Main Street, across from Depot Street.

Among the four fires battled by the department in the first year was a blaze at C.A. Arnold's store, at what is now 100 Main. The third floor, occupied by a Masonic Hall, was totally destroyed, leaving the building with two stories. Ironically, the second floor was lost in a fire 90 years later, leaving just one story in the structure which currently houses At the Dam Restaurant.

The first motorized piece of apparatus was purchased in 1924, with a second added five years later. A second company, comprised of volunteers not employed by the mill, was formed in 1933, and Ben Hanson was appointed chief of both companies. Hanson stepped down as chief in 1950, and was replaced by Charles "Chubby" Staiger, who led the department for 26 years. The current fire station at 125 Main Street, opened in 1980, is dedicated to Staiger.

A new modernized firehouse, donated by Hamilton Standard, opened about 75 feet east of the original station in 1956. Two-way radios were installed in all vehicles that same year.

In 1960, Warner Bros. produced a film called "Parrish," starring Troy Donahue, Claudette Colbert and Karl Malden. It was set on a Connecticut shade tobacco plantation and partially filmed in East Windsor; a tobacco shed at the old Daly farm was set ablaze, and Broad Brook firefighters fought the flames on camera. Portraying the fire chief in the scene was a virtually unknown actor who later became one of the biggest stars in television history: Carroll O'Connor.

One of the largest fires in the department's history occurred on Jan. 24, 1961, when the East Windsor Town Hall - at the time situated on the site of the current firehouse - erupted in flames on a bitterly cold night. The building was destroyed, and many firefighters suffered frostbite.

Groundbreaking for the new station and Senior Citizen Center took place in Oct. 1978; the building was dedicated in May 1980.

On May 22, 1986, a quick-spreading inferno broke out at the old mill, prompting assistance from 10 other nearby fire departments and taking three days to successfully contain. Miraculously, just a few minor injuries were sustained by emergency personnel.

No firefighter from the department has died in the line of duty; however, Frank Darby was killed in action and Dave Lopes was a prisoner of war in Germany during World War II.

The growth of fire services has grown incredibly in the century and a quarter since the department formed. After handling four calls in 1896, the company responded to 768 calls in 2020.

"There have been so many changes, it's incredible," said Arcari, who has served with the department for 43 years and took over as chief from Lockwood in 2013.

There are currently 59 members in the department, including active, reserve, limited and junior members. Many have been with the company seemingly forever; in fact, eight members have over 40 years of service, with retired Chief Bill Loos leading the pack with 64 years.

Acquiring new volunteers has been an issue for the past decade, according to the officers.

"The problem is the time required to train," Bancroft said. "We're very fortunate we have so many, but we can always use more."

Lockwood said, "We have always strived to be as professional as a volunteer fire department can be. We hope to keep providing citizens that exemplary service."

Overnight station coverage is currently provided on Fridays and Saturdays. If a May 11 budget referendum passes, the department would be able to provide overnight coverage seven days a week, Arcari said.

Broad Brook continues to be very much a family affair. The current roster lists four Arcaris, five Bancrofts, three Chapins, three Paradises and three Simpkins'.

To commemorate the milestone anniversary, a committee has organized a parade on Saturday, Aug. 21. It will step off at 5 p.m. from the East Windsor Middle School, travel down Main Street and end at East Windsor Park on Reservoir Ave.

"We’ll be inviting fire departments from across the state to join us," committee member Jason Piorek said. "We are planning to have food trucks, entertainment for the kids and music at the park. We are also still looking into whether we will be able to wrap up the day with some fireworks - not definite, but trying."

Other events in the works include a car show on Labor Day weekend, a booth at the 4-Town Fair in September and a benefit golf tournament at Airways Golf Course in Suffield on Sept. 26.

More information about the Broad Brook Fire Department may be found here.

Photos courtesy of Broad Brook Fire Department

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