|
|
DISTRICT HISTORY
The Western Coventry Fire District has a long history that began with the formation of the Arnold Farm Fire Department. With the need for fire protection in the western section of the town, the Arnold family formed the Western Coventry Fire District. It was incorporated in 1943 with the Arnold family donating their equipment to the newly formed district. The first meeting of the district was on the first Monday in April 1942.
The district was thrown into full service only a month later with the task of extinguishing one of the largest forest fires in the state's history. In May of 1942, an arsonist's fire burned for days and involved not only the Western District but also parts of Central Coventry, Exeter, West Greenwich, and towns in Eastern Connecticut. Departments as far east as Bristol and Warren were called into assist in extinguishing the fire.
The first station was built in the Greene section in 1942 and was followed by the Summit station in 1954, which was remodeled in 1975. The department has always and will continue to depend upon its dedicated and caring volunteers to meet the call to duty. In 1998, the District taxpayers helped to shape the future of this department by voting to form a Board of Directors. Their charge is to oversee the operation of the District business while still ensuring that the day to day operation of the Fire Department remain with the Chief and his officers.
1999 has brought another milestone with the District hiring its first full-time paid position, that of an administrator. A second full-time position was filled as voted by the tax payers in August 2002 to give the district full-time coverage during the day. We are now embarking on a ambitious endeavor to build a new modern station on Route 102 north of Route 117 that will bring us well into the 21st century to meet the needs of the growing population of the District providing Fire and EMS services.
Questions/Comments Regarding
Website...Email Webmaster
 |