Andover Volunteer Fire Department
Andover, Connecticut
A History of the Andover Volunteer Fire Department 1938 - 2013
by Scott Yeomans
Page 7
1970 First Aid Class
Seated - Joe Comerford, Jack Fisher, Maxwell "Buster" Hutchinson, Joe Armstrong, John Hutchinson, Ken Bains.
Standing - Bill Covell, Tom Bonneau, Bob Eaton, Whitney Merritt, Joe Landry, Ray Bonneau, ?? instructor, Guy Cardini, Dave Moe, Wally Barton, Tim Hutchinson, John McCuire, Joe Sexton
In 1971 all two-way radios used by the department were converted to two frequency units. This gave us an alternate channel, should the normal one be very busy due to other department activities. Andover also became a Charter Member of the Tolland County Mutual Aid Ambulance Association. In the summer of 1971 an addition to the firehouse was started with a $12,000 appropriation from the town. Most of the labor for this addition was provided by the membership.
In 1972 Rescue # 5, the 1958 Ford Emergency Truck, was removed from patient carrying duties. This vehicle became our Rescue Truck, carrying all of our rescue tools and equipment. Also, a 1927 American LaFrance was purchased by the membership from the Willimantic Fireman's Training School for $1.00.
Fire Extinguisher Training - Kirk McKinney - 1970
In 1974 the membership voted to purchase "Tones" (special frequency radio signals) for the Willimantic Dispatch Center. With this purchase, we would be able to make use of tone alert monitors and pagers ("beepers") in the future.
1976 was a year full of events. The Fire Commission moved dispatch responsibilities for Andover from Willimantic to the Tolland facility, where we remain today. They also requested and received $20,000 from the town to purchase a new Ambulance to replace the Cadillac. A 1976 Horton van type ambulance, on a Dodge chassis, was purchased with these funds.
In service from 8/1976 to 9/1986
In February of 1976 the department participated in implementing a new call letter system, that is still in use today. Andover was assigned as Station # 15, with all units being assigned 15 numbers. This, combined with other designations as qualifiers, make it easy to determine if a radio transmission is from Andover, or some other department. Some examples: The old Rescue 5 became Rescue 115, the Ambulance went from Rescue 511 to Rescue 515, Engine Tank 8 became ET 115. Department officers are Car 15 through Car 815.
House Burn, Main Street, South Coventry - 1976
Scott Yeomans, Kieth Palmer, Jack Fisher
Some 1970s and early 1980s calls
(click any thumbnail to see the full mage)
1927 American LaFrane
Front - Chief Engineer Howie Pohl, Chief Curt Dowling
On the step - Timothy Tabor, Captian Paul Cardini, Walter Taber
