RFD promotes two to Captain

On Monday, December 14, 2009, full-time firefighters Mark Emery and J. Ronald Merry were officially promoted to the rank of Captain. The Board of Selectmen hosted a badge-pinning ceremony at their regular meeting that evening.

At the same meeting, Deupty Chief (ret.) Doug Chadbourne was presented with proclamations from the Board, the MA Senate, and the MA House of Representatives recognizing his 48 years of service to the department.

Newburyport News Story

H1N1 vaccine update

The Rowley Health Department has a limited number of doses of H1N1 flu vaccine available to residents. A flu clinic will be conducted on Saturday, 12/19/09.

Contact the Board of Health at 948.2231 to register or for further information.

Engine 1 / Squad 1 Dedication

(l to r: Chaplain Hagopian, FF Joe Merry, FF Dick Gagnon, Lt James Chadbourne, DC Roger Merry, FF Mark Winfrey, FF Ron Agrella, Cpt Don Merry)

This afternoon the RFD held ceremonies to dedicate Engine 1 and Squad 1, the two newest additions to our fleet.

Engine 1 was dedicated in honor of the 12 charter members of the Rowley Volunteer Fire Protection Association and carries the designation 'Charter Hose Co. No. 1' on the front fender.

The ceremony was officiated by our chaplain, Reverend Bob Hagopian, and featured a brief speech by Selectman Robert Snow.

There was a brief interruption to the ceremonies. . .

Enjoy the video.

Dedication Ceremony

The public is invited to a dedication ceremony for Engine 1 and Squad 1 on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 13:30 hours at Rowley Fire HQ on Hammond Street.

Engine 1 will be dedicated in memory of the Charter Members of the Rowley Volunteer Fire Protection Association.

Refreshments will be served.

For more information please contact Chief James Broderick.

Facebook username

The Rowley Fire Department continues to expand our presence in the social media universe. Thanks to our dedicated Facebook fans, you can now find the RFD Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/rowleyfire.

Of course, you can still find us here at RowleyFire.org, on Blogger at rowleyfire.blogspot.com, and on Twitter @rowleyfire!

DC Chadbourne retires

On Saturday, October 17th, the Rowley Fire Department honored Deputy Chief Douglas Chadbourne on the occasion of his retirement.

DC Chadbourne joined the RFD in 1961, completing 48 years of service before facing mandatory retirement. He rose through the ranks of fireman, lieutenant, and captain, before election to the post of 2nd Assistant Chief in 1981. He would hold the post for another 28 years.

Fifty-one firefighters, family, and friends attended the party at the Carriage Pines Country Club. Doug was honored with a retirement badge, an engraved speaking trumpet, a few gag gifts, and a cake in the likeness of Engine 3.

Georgetown firefighters covered the Rowley station during the event.

Squad 1 returns!

After almost a decade out of service, Squad 1 will be returning to the RFD this month.

The new Squad 1 is a 2010 Ford F250 4x4 crew cab pickup. It will be used initially by the Chief, but it will be available for operational support and crew transportation as needed.

The new squad was purchased with penalty fees assessed on the late delivery of Ladder 1. (The contract price was substantially reduced due to the delays, leaving excess money in the budget line.) The RFD was able to augment its fleet with no further impact to the taxpayers.

Pictures and more information, will be posted at RowleyFire.org as they become available. Look for history of the original Squad 1 as well.