New Department Roles Aim to Improve Equipment Maintenance Standards Through Specialized Training and Tool Allocations
Fire Chief Thomas J. Barry Jr. requested $5,800 from selectmen last night to establish three specialized “firefighter-mechanic” positions within the department, citing an urgent need for enhanced apparatus maintenance.
Under the proposal, current members of the department would fill the roles, with the mechanical duties operating outside Civil Service provisions. Chief Barry outlined the projected costs per man, which include $1,000 in salary adjustments, $45 for clothing allowances, $300 for uniform cleaning, and a $2,500 outlay for professional tools.
Following assurances that the new positions could be implemented on a trial basis, selectmen agreed to support Chief Barry in petitioning the finance commission for a $3,000 reserve fund transfer. The remaining $2,500 required for specialized tools would be drawn directly from the department’s existing repairs account.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More Norwood Fire Stories
-
Fire Department Labor Dispute and Election Litigation-July 5, 1978
The summer of 1978 brought unrest to Norwood, characterized by a firefighter strike against mandatory health programs and a tense court challenge over local election results.
-
Fire Contract Talks Stall; Mediator to Step In-May 27, 1978
History repeats itself at the negotiating table. Contract talks between town officials and the Norwood Firefighters Association officially ground to a halt in May 1978, reviving a familiar public-safety deadlock. Take a look back at the quiet high-stakes standoff that sent both sides back to a state mediator.
-
Norwood Fire Chief Leo Coughlin Requests Eight New Firefighters and Two Deputies-August 10, 1977
Fire Chief Leo Coughlin asked Norwood selectmen for eight new firefighters and two deputies to reduce high overtime and substitution expenses.
-
Norwood Firefighters Deliver Healthy Baby Girl in Unexpected Home Emergency-October 16, 1974
Quick-thinking Norwood firefighters James Flaherty and Donald Towne deliver a healthy baby girl at home after an emergency call from machinist Thomas McDonough.
-
Fire Chief Requests Emergency Funding for Replacement Pumper Truck-September 8, 1971
Fire Chief Irving J. Dobson warns selectmen that Norwood faces extreme vulnerability for the fall brush fire season after the breakdown of a 1949 pumper truck.
-
General-Alarm Fire Destroys Junior High School in Norwood-January 23, 1971
A general-alarm fire swept through Norwood Junior High School last night, threatening to destroy the four-story brick building. There were no injuries. The blaze was punctuated by an explosion of chemical supplies in a science laboratory. Firemen from Norwood and nine surrounding communities responded. Smoke was so thick that the first firemen to respond were…
-
Norwood Fire Department Takes Action to Combat Rising Surge of False Fire Alarms-August 18, 1970
Citing soaring taxpayer costs and grave risks to public safety, Deputy Fire Chief Leo Coughlin announced stepped-up police and fire efforts to combat a surge in false alarm boxes.
-
10 Flee Smoky Apartment Fire-September 15, 1965
A smoky fire in an apartment at 264 Dean street early last Monday morning caused injury to one firefighter, damage to the apartment estimated at $3500 and caused 10 persons to flee at 3:33 a.m. According to Fire Chief living Dobson and Fire Lt. Robert Stanton, the fire was believed to have been caused by…
-
Norwood Police & Fire Department Jimmy Fund Baseball Game-September 1, 1965
Norwood Police & Fire Department Jimmy Fund Baseball Game, September 1, 1965
-
In Safe Hands-August 5, 1964
This Day In Norwood History-August 5, 1964-In Safe Hands
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.