Times Were Changing
In 1964 a change came over the department. A new fire cheif was appointed. Little did Merritt Burdick know what lay ahead of this tenure. Chief Burdick faced major incidents in the small Town of Florida. In April of 1964 an explosion and fire destroyed Brown's Garage. In July, John Wheeler's family lost their home to a fire.
Other incidents included a train wreck in the Hoosac Tunnel involving a tanker loaded with chlorine, other families losing their homes teenagers lost in the woods, and lighting striking a house on Monroe Road. Also, in 1972, fire ravaged the Florida Lounge.
Due to the failing health of the Chief, in 1975 David W. Burdick was appointed as the new Chief. This 22 year old was to oversee, in the coming years the purchase of two 4X4 pick-ups with pumps mounted in the beds. One truck was housed on the Melvin Crosier property and the other was kept in the Hoosac Tunnel. These locations were chosen primarily because the bulk of the manpower was in these areas and would afford for a quicker response.
In May of 1976 money was appropriated to build a new firehouse on the corner of Tilda Hill Road and Mohawk Trail. After it's construction, the small truck was moved from Crosiers'. With a donation from the Ted Pierce Oil Company, the town came into possession of a water tender (tanker truck).
This rural department had grown from a portable pump stored at the town shed, to having four trucks spread out in three locations throughout the Town. One major fire was recorded during this time. It was at the Kuczynski residence and, unfortunately, resulted in the death of a town resident. To date this is the only fire in the town's history that resulted in someone dying.
1977 brought the appointment of a new fire chief. Charles L. Briggs from Moores Road (not to be confused with Charles Briggs the Police chief from Phelps Road) became Florida's fourth fire chief.
During Charlie's twenty-three years as Cheif he faced new challenges. This original pumper started to tire, so the fire department asked the town to purchase another pumper and requested to add onto the station on Rte. 2. The approximate cost of this FMC on a Chevrolet chassis was a 1,000-gallon per minute pump that carried 1,000 gallons of water was $82,000. It was to be housed in the Rte. 2 fire station.
The time had come. The original truck had to be retired. The town could not afford to purchase another one. Rather than closing the Drury station, the firefighters rallied together to raise approximately $1,800.00 and purchased a used truck from Pownal, Vermont. This truck, a 1958 Maxim pumper with a 1,000-gallon per minute pump, carried 500 gallons of water. It would serve the town until a new fire engine could be purchased.
During this time the fire department expanded their services. A new ambulance service started in North Adams and was covering the Florida area. Ambulance personnel met with the chief and devised a plan to better serve the people of Florida. Firefighters would be given more training in CPR and medical first response. The department would be paged out and respond to render aid until the ambulance could arrive. Firefighters would also lead the ambulance to the scene. The rural roads sometimes made it difficult to find the locations.
The firefighters held another fundraiser and bought a hydraulic took called the "Jaws of Life". This powerful tool would be used to tear open motor vehicles to rescue trapped individuals. The firefighters trained extensively became proficient in the use of the tool. They now would be able to gain access to victims within a short time.
Times were definitely changing. Chief Briggs brought in Florida's first female firefighter, Laurie Tuper, who was also an EMT. She was initially to be used for medical response but soon caught the bug and began completing all the tasks of a firefighter.
The town was finally in a position where they could purchase a new fire truck. This 1995 International Darley with a 1,000 gallon per minute pump carried 1,000 gallons of water. It also was equipped with a new firefighting tool, compressed air foam (CAF).
The CAF system made the hoses lighter to move around and called for fewer firefighters to handle. It was advertised as being nine times more effective in fire suppression.
The fire department's tanker began to rust away and needed to be replaced. The firefighters took out a loan to purchase a 1977 Mack tractor from a tractor-trailer unit that had been in an accident. The cost of this was $9,000.00. In addition, they purchased a 2000-gallon stainless steel tank for $600.00 and a portable pump for $2,000.00. With a lot of rebuilding and hard work the firefighters were able to put together the tanker that is still in use today.
The firefighters continued to raise money, buying many other tools for firefighting (hoses, portable tanks, air packs, ect.) so the town would not be burdened with the expense. This allowed the department to grow with the new firefighting technology that was emerging.
Chief Briggs decided it was time for him to retire and Steve Brown was voted in as the new Fire Chief. Steve worked diligently with the firefighters in learning the equipment and how to perform safely at whatever scene they were called on to control.
In addition, Steve worked with the Selectmen to buy new turn out gear for the firefighters. The cost would be approximately $1,000.00 per firefighter and the department had grown to 28 firefighters. This appropriation was brought to a town meeting and passed. The firefighters would now be protected from head to toe with modern gear for the dangerous tasks that lie ahead.
In 2000, as the new century rolled in, the fire department rolled in with a new chief, Michael Bedini. He wasn't new to the department. He had started as a junior firefighter in 1982 at the age of 14.
As with all new chiefs, Mike had (and continues to hold) grand visions for the department. Technology in fire suppression has progressed by leaps and bounds. Laws, regarding building codes, smoke detectors, tank removals, and responsibility on how fire departments conduct themselves on the scene of incidents were rapidly changing.
With new technology came new equipment. As in the past, the town could not afford to purchase the needed equipment. So Chief Bedini sought out alternatives. Grants! Mike received memos about grant monies that were available through Federal, State and private entities. He liked having as many of the firefighters involved with projects as possible. He assembled a group to research and apply for grants.
The department has received grants ranging from $250.00 to $39,000.00. These grants cover items such as fire prevention education in the school, purchasing of wild land firefighting equipment, as well as equipment to handle multi-causality accidents, natural disasters, hazardous material spills, and communications equipment. The largest of these grants were used to build an addition to the main fire station. Presently, the department is waiting to hear from the Federal Government on a grant for a new fire truck.
Chief Bedini looks for potential in all his firefighters. He balances the needs of the town with specialized education for the firefighters. Several members have received training such as areas as ice water rescue, swift water rescue, hazardous materials, emergency vehicle operation, and arson investigation.
Mike's leadership has been noted throughout Berkshire County. In 2004 the fire Chief's Association elected him president for the county. He is the youngest person to hold this position in the history of the county.
Under Chief Bedini's leadership and encouragement, the department continues to grow in a proactive manner. As with each of Florida's chiefs, he watches over each of his firefighters and continues to see that the Town of Florida has the best fire and medical response possible.