North End Hose Company # 3 was established in 1895. At that time the fire station was located near the corner of Spring Street and Front Avenue. (The building still stands and is now an army green colored house located on Spring Street adjacent to Anchor Motors ). While in that station, the apparatus was either hand drawn or horse drawn. The horses were located at the rendering plant that was located at 9 Spring Street. When the alarm would sound, the horses would go to the fire station to pull the apparatus
In 1916 the property where the present station is was acquired, and the new building was designed and built to accommodate larger apparatus. The company’s first piece of apparatus was a hand drawn hose reel, purchased from the Rhode Island Coupling Company, which served the company until 1911 when a Knox Combination Chemical truck was provided. The hose reel was given to our neighbors in the West Shore Fire Department when they organized in 1921. In 1916 a Maxim Hose wagon was purchased and served the company until 1935. In 1935 a Mack 500 Gallon combination pumper, was purchased, that piece of apparatus is still part of the department inventory. It was fully restored by members of the department and is used for parades and civic events. Some time around 1978 the station went from being a combination career/volunteer station to an all volunteer station when the department implemented its paramedic program. In 1983 the departments 1959 Maxim engine was refurbished and reissued to North End as Engine 23. In 2000 when the department updated the career apparatus the 1984 Pierce Dash that was in service as Engine 25 was handed down to us and became Engine 23. That apparatus is still in service today.
Fire Explorer Post # 3
In 1988, North End established the department’s first ever Fire Explorer Program. This program introduces youth to the fire service. Over the years, many of our kids have continued in the public service field as career and volunteer firefighters, EMT’s Paramedics, Emergency Dispatchers and fire protection engineers both in West Haven as well nationally.
Participants of the Post are motivated young men and women that have an interest in learning about the fire service while positively serving their community. In 2009 the Explorer Post was able to establish the first Emergency Services Support and Rehab Unit.
See the "Explorer Post" button on the left hand side for more information
Company Activity
North End Hose Company # 3 has been the most active volunteer fire company in the city for many years. Our company has a nightly schedule with a crew to respond to alarms. We also staff apparatus when weather or major events occur. Members respond to fires at any time of day or night when the call comes in.
Our interior structural firefighters are all State Certified at least Firefighter I, and many of our members are Connecticut Certified EMT’s or EMR's. Members also participate in monthly training drills on topics related to firefighting such as search and rescue, and other typical fireground operations. Our drivers train often on different scenario’s that we may encounter such as pumping multiple attack lines, supplying other apparatus, or supplying water to automatic fire suppression systems.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact through the "contact us" button on the left hand side of the page or contact our officers.
