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Truck 541. The current company maintained a presence at the Fitton Station until the purchase of the new Truck 541, a 95' E-One Ladder Tower, which was too large to fit into the old station. The Snipsic Hook and Ladder Co. has moved its proud tradition into the John Ashe, Nye Street Station 441.
Joe biggest fire? "No question," he replies, "West Main and Vernon Avenue. The whole block burned. 5 or 6 buildings. I was there from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. that night." He remembers eating Tasty Chick chicken all day. Some other big fires he recalled were the Union Church fire, Webbers Block on West Main, Lutheran Church, several Village Street fires over the years, and one out of town fire of note, the old Manchester Depot Square. In his rookie year, Joe recalled one of his saddest moments, the death of several children in a raging High Street fire back in 1966-67.
One of the funniest things Joe ever saw in all his years was a fire on Ward Street where he claims he was in desperate need of toilet facilities. He was in the burning building performing overhaul and located a toilet. But he said another member of the Ladder Co. (who shall remain nameless by the 41 Repeater due to still being an active member) had beat him to the "Head" and was sitting there with his bunker gear around his ankles with a SCBA on! Joe said he just turned and found a hot spot on the wall and, well, "Used his personal extinguishing agent appropriately.".
Joe went on to share one of the stupidest things he ever saw in his career, was on a snowy night when they were returning to the Fitton Station. The Engine had already backed into the fire house, when a guy, who's car was on fire, came around the corner of Prospect Street and drove right into the station into the Ladder's parking space. Everyone scrambled to push the car out of the firehouse with the guy still in it before the firehouse burned down. Lamenting on why the firefighters pushed him out, he asked, "this is the firehouse, ain't it?"
The 41 Repeater wanted to share a few "home spun" stories of Joe's career on the eve of his retirement. Seventy years old and thirty-four active years of firefighting. A long a memorable road of excitement, challenge, sorrow, joy and most of all brotherhood. As Joe takes on the new responsibilities of "Lifetime Membership" and likely the first collector of LOSAP benefits, we extend our heartfelt congratulations on a job well done and continued good health and relaxation. Best of luck to you, our dear friend.
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