The Great Barrington Fire Department has an impressive history of brave service to the town. It all started in 1854 when a group of volunteers formed the Hope Fire Company. Later that same year, the Great Barrington Fire District was formed to bring water to the town from the East Mountain Reservoir. In the late 1800s, the Housatonic Hose Company was formed.
In 1855, Firemen’s Hall was built at the site of the current town hall. The station was moved to the south side of Bridge Street in 1875.
Construction of a new brick fire station on Castle Street was completed in 1900. As shown in the hand-colored postcard view above, the building was designed to accommodate the latest in horse-drawn equipment.
The present-day firehouse on State Road opened in 2010.
The recent massive wildfire on East Mountain has reminded residents of the invaluable protection provided by local fire departments. Featured below are photographs of the men and women in the Great Barrington Fire Department who have served our community—then and now. Thanks to retired Fire Chief Mike Fitpatrick for helping to date some of these photographs.
