Brief History of the Sherburne Fire Department

The first recording meeting of the Sherburne Fire Department was held at the home of Louis are Hopson October 12 1850 by The Sherburne Fire Engine Company Ira S. Barnes was chairman and B. W. Faye appointed secretary. A constitution was then adopted and followed officers were elected:  Isaac Plum, Forman, Delos Burch, first assistant foreman, Byron Marks secretary, Sidney Starr treasurer.

This company was disbanded June 7, 1858 and a second company organized in which T. H. Madison was elected Forman. This one also, however, was disbanded the following August.  On April 20, 1859 a third company was organized under the same bylaws as those before.

According to the records the first engine house was built in 1868.  In 1874 a new engine house was purchased from a firm in Boston. Torrent Hose Company was organized on January 14, 1875.  On February 1, 1875 the engine company adopted the name “Torrent No. 1 and at that time new rules and regulations were adopted by the “Torrent Engine Co. 1”, Torrent Engine Co. 2 and the Active Hose Company No. 1. The building of water works in 1883 and consequently throwing aside of the fire engines caused a re-organization of the fire department.

The Torrent Engine Co. was changed to the Torrent Hose Co. and the active hose company became the Whitmore Hose Company in recognition of the honorary George B Whitmore of the company.  Mr. Alexander Ross was also very liberal in aiding the company at the Sherburne quarter which bore his name.

The Sherburne Hook and Ladder was the last of the four company’s to be organized ,  although its beginning may be tossed well back into the 80s. There are records of a Foremen’s tournament as early as 1871.

From the year 1858 until the year 1889 the title of the head of department was caretaker of the hose carts and in the same year incorporated and Mr. Charles Walker was named Chief Engineer for a period of three years,  followed in 1892 by William E. Davis, 1893 by Winfield Fish, in 1894 by Hiram Burlingham,  in 1896 by Frank Cook, in 1897 byL. D. Brained, in 1898 by Charles L. Carrier, in 1905 by Frank Cook, in 1908 by Duane L. Atkins, in 1925 by Gerry Miner who held this position for two years, when William T. Champ took over in 1927 and was chief for a number of years until 1954.  At this time Mr. Champ felt he should be replaced by a younger man and did not seek re-election. At this time 1st Assistant Jesse Chantler was named chief. Chief Chandler was chief from 1954 to 1966 in 1966.  Norman Palmiter replace Chantler and held the position until 1971.  In 1971 Herbert Eccleston was elected and was head of the department for one year.  In 1972 Norman Palmiter was again elected chief for a second term.  Our present senior officers are Norman Palmiter, chief, Francis Giaquinto, 1st Assistant and Glenn Webb, 2nd Assistant.