Hamden Fire Retirees Association, Inc.

June 2010 - It has been nearly six decades since the delivery of Hamden's first postwar Maxim pumper, which served the department until the 1990s.  It was initially assigned as Engine 2, but served later as Engine 3, Engine 5, Engine 9 and Engine 19 (Vol Co. 9).

The exact date that it was sold is not known, but it changed hands at least once.  Hamden Firefighter Daryl Osiecki recently found it in Shelton, along with one of the two S-model 100 GPM Maxims delivered in October 1968.

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When the 1989 tornado hit on July 10th, all off duty career firefighters were requested to report for duty. The calls were made from the Emergency Operations Center by Town Clerk Nancy Hurlburt, making me probably the only firefighter ever ordered to duty by his mother.

Instructed to go to the nearest station, I reported to Station 9 along with Dave Strawhince and Paul Durkin. The only apparatus there was the spare 1951 Maxim, formerly Engine 59, once assigned to the now-defunct Vol Co. 9.

We jump-started the Maxim off of Dave's pickup truck, checked to see if it would pump and roll, then gave it a quick wash as there was so much dust you couldn't see out the windshield.

With a crew of Strawhince as the officer, myself as driver, and Durkin riding the tailboard, we put ourselves in service and were instructed to report to Station 4. From there, as "Engine 59" (as we used the nostalgic call sign) we responded to a few calls including a reported structure fire at Jimmy's in the Plaza.

We remained in service until the northend pieces came back in service.  We then put the old girl away at 9s. She was sold a short while after. A good way to send her off, sorrily to a poor fate.

Clark D. Hurlburt
Asst. Chief (Ret.)