Dixfield Fire Company - General Information
The Dixfield Fire Company is a paid-on-call fire company consisting of up to 40 call firefighters and 10 junior firefighters.
Our primary protection area, the town of Dixfield, is located along US Route 2 in the scenic western mountains of Maine and covers 42 square miles and serves a population of approximately 2500.
We hold mutual aid agreements with the towns of Peru, Canton, Mexico, Rumford, Carthage, Weld, Wilton, Jay, and Northern Oxford Mutual Aid.
History of the Dixfield
Fire Company
( as written for the Centennial Anniversary in 1993)
The formation of the Dixfield Fire Company dates back to the late 1800’s, September 5, 1893 to be exact. On that date, the fire company was formed under the leadership of Don Gates, James Davis and Charles Ames. These gentlemen, as well as others, came to Dixfield from Searsport to work in the Stowell Spool Mill. They brought with them many years of firefighting experience and saw a need not yet met.
They gathered at the law office of John Harlow and formed a private company of 21 men, with Charles Ames as Chief. A position he held for 38 years. James Davis was elected as clerk at that first meeting and held that position until 1942, retiring due to poor health. The Fire Company was incorporated March 7, 1899 and on April 4, 1927, partial control was taken over by the Dixfield Village Corporation. Monthly meetings were held by the firefighters – a practice which still continues to this day.
In 1931 Olie Payne led the troops until 1937 when Robert Ames, son of Charles, took over the position. He dedicated 33 years of his life as Chief.
The early Fire Company purchased a cart and tub through popular subscription of the townspeople and this engine was called the Fire King. This engine has been refurbished and is presently owned by the Woodstock Fire Department. This incidentally is the name they gave their old meeting hall. This old tub had handles on each side which were worked by the men to obtain 60 to 90 lbs. of water pressure. In those days, the only sources of water were cisterns or the Webb River. The old station, now owned by Skidgell Excavation, was built by many of the men of the Fire Company in 1895 with $330 of aid from the town. More money was raised through suppers and dances. The First Fireman’s Ball was held in December of 1893, the proceeds of which bought lights and chairs.
Several years later, a Fireman’s Relief Association was formed to take care of all the extra expenses such as grave markers and other appropriate items.
In June of 1952 and addition was put on the old station to house the new Mack Pumper. Later the upper hall was finished to host meetings and socials.
The first pumper and ladder trucks were built by the men with wood, steel, iron and a lot of ingenuity. The pumper was a new 1935 Ford with a front mount pump. The ladder truck was a 1934 Ford and measured 38 feet long. The pumper was driven home with just a steering wheel and a hood and a wooden milk crate for a seat. Everything else was hand built by the men serving at that particular time.
In 1906, after the recent water system was installed, two hose companies were formed. They still exist today with 40 members now serving.
During the early days the alarm was spread by word of mouth, from door to door, or by party (telephone) lines. This was followed by the mill whistle sounding the alarm, which led to a siren being installed, and then an air horn, still available for use today. Along with this came a box alarm system, a red phone network, and finally a tone pager system, recently purchased.
Some of the larger fires which took place in the early years involved the area businesses. In 1899, the George Merrill Stock Shed, along with the J.S. Harlow Spool Mill, the Holman Barn and Dry Store, and the Railroad station. The Freeman Toothpick mill burned flat in 1904 in 24 below degree weather. Others lost to fire were the school house and the Holman Store in 1905, Grist Mill in 1913, N.S. Stowell dry house in 1914, N.S. Stowell stock shed in 1921, Kidder Mill in 1928, and the Dixfield Boarding House in 1938.
One of the prouder accomplishments of the Fire Company was at a fire at the Odd Fellows hall on December 29, 1938. With the alarm sounding at 5:00 a.m., fire was showing when the fire company arrived. They had no ladders long enough to reach the upper floors, so two of the longest ladders were lashed together. They carried hoses up the makeshift ladder and although fire heavily damaged the building, their efforts eventually saved the building.
In 1950, an Auxiliary unit was formed to assist in various ways. Throughout the years the Auxiliary has provide food and coffee at the fire scenes and raised many dollars to provide much needed equipment, and has been the support that the men needed through rough times. Recently, through the efforts of several family members and friends, the Auxiliary has been reactivated and is presently going strong.
The current station was erected in 1965 at a cost of $43,000. It serves as a fire station, voting place and also is a meeting place for several town committees.
Along with Charles Ames, Olie Payne and Robert Ames, the town was served well by Chief Walter Kidder from 1970 until his death in 1977. At that time Oscar Robbins was elected as Chief, serving for 12 years. All these men served loyally as leaders of the Dixfield Fire Company.
Despite all our efforts, we have lost some heartbreaking battles, the worst being when innocent children lose their lives. We had the misfortune of experiencing that feeling on January 1st, 1991 in a fire on the Common Road. Depite this and other setbacks, we continue to improve our methods of fire attack, and we try to be ready for the next alarm that will sound.
We are proud that this is our 100th year of existence and we hope to serve our town for many years to com.
