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.

RowleyFire social networking

RowleyFire.org is taking the next step in social networking. Look for our Fan Page on Facebook; follow us on Twitter @RowleyFire; check the home page for recent Twitter updates.

Updates will include new newsblog posts, upcoming training and events, and important information for citizens.

Let's hope it all works as designed.

--Webmaster

We work our Chaplains hard in these parts

Unlike many fire departments, our Chaplain is an active member of the suppression forces. Here's Reverend Bob at a car fire this afternoon.

Fill the Boot

Over the Labor Day weekend, eight Rowley firefighters participated in the annual Fill the Boot drive to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Our latest effort in this long-standing tradition netted $3000.11 for the charity. Thanks to all who participated!

Brave New World

At 12:01 AM on July 1, 2009, emergency services in Rowley will undergo two major changes.

First, the Rowley Volunteer Fire Protection Association will end 82 years of dedicated service to the community. Under a reorganization plan forced by the Board of Selectmen, the volunteers will be replaced by call firefighters employed directly by the Town. The RFD will continue to use the equipment and station owned by the RVFPA under a month-by-month agreement until permanent arrangements are finalized. Many of the current volunteers have agreed to stay on under the new management, although some have taken this as the proper moment to retire.

Second, the Town of Rowley will end a 30+ year association with American Medical Response and its predecessor companies in the provision of emergency medical services. Rowley signed its first paid contract with Peter Poor Ambulance in 1975; subsequent mergers and buyouts brought Amcare Ambulance, Chaulk Ambulance, and eventually AMR into the community. Starting tonight, EMS will be provided by Action Ambulance of Wilmington, MA with paramedic units responding from Linebrook Station and Cable Medical in Ipswich as well as Graf Rd in Newburyport.

Engine 1 delivered!

Engine 1 was delivered on Friday, 6/5. It will enter service after all of the equipment has been mounted and training has been completed.

Photos should be forthcoming soon.