It had been over 30 years since the village of Poquonock had an active fire fighting force. This earlier fire company had a hand pumper and hose cart that was housed in a building which formerly stood on the east side of Poquonock Avenue across from the present firehouse. The building was moved to the rear of 1691 Poquonock Avenue immediately north of the present fire house. It is still standing today.

During these years without an organized fire company, the village of Poquonock relied on the rapid blast of the steam whistle at the Dunham Mill to signal the alarm, and all available men were called on to man a bucket brigade from the closest water supply. If the fire was close to the mills. hose lines could be stretched from the mill using the mill’s hose carts. There were two mills operating and using all of the hose in the village, a line could be stretched almost to the intersection of Rainbow Road. The Windsor (Center Fire District) was also called on for assistance. Markers were erected at water sources to assist Windsor in promptly locating ponds and brooks.

Early in 1929 a small group of local business men, including George A. Lang, who ran an auto repair business on Tunxis Street, Edward W. Sackett, who owned a grocery store at what is now 45 Tunxis Street (then at the corner of Poquonock Avenue and Tunxis Street), and Edward J. Kernan, who operated an insurance and real estate business, called an open meeting at the Poquonock Town Hall for anyone interested in helping to organize and support a new fire company. The response was excellent.

A committee of Stanton F. Brown, Arthur Hagarty and Charles A. Huntington, Jr., was named in April to proceed with the organization. As a Result of these meetings, the first Constitution and By-laws were adopted on May 20, 1929, and the granting of a Charter by the State Legislature followed on May 29, 1020. Coincidentally, a new American LaFrance 500 gallon per minute pumper had been delivered to the Windsor (Center) Fire Department the 1st of February, 1929. That department generously donated their 1918 Reo Speed-Wagon Chemical Truck to the new company.

One of the first orders of business in writing the Constitution was to decide on the name of the new fire company. Despite the location of the new company in the village of Poquonock, the members from the Rainbow section of town had strong feelings about Rainbow being represented in the name. This problem was solved by adopting the name: North End Volunteer Fire Company.

During the first few months George Lang, provided a garage for the Reo in his repair garage on the north side of Tunxis Street. During the first year arrangement were made to rent a garage from Ed Sackett on Tunxis Street. This building continued to be used as a fire house until the Company moved to the converted Town Hall in 1950. The first siren was placed atop the Sackett building next door to the firehouse. It was later moved to the top of a pole a short way up the hill on a lot owned by George Lang.

The summer of 1929 was a very busy time for the new volunteers. Preparing the new truck for service, installing and testing new sirens, running a cash drive throughout the north end of town, as well as planning the first of several carnivals, took up much of their spare time. Fortunately they weren’t interrupted by too may fire calls. The first call was received until October 19, 1929.

June ‘35 New 1935 Ford V-8 chassis purchased, body and chemical tanks from Reo Speed-wagon installed.

Sept ‘36 Proceeds from carnival voted to go into pumper fund.

Feb ‘37 An attempt was make to purchase a lot for a new firehouse just south of the old iron bridge.

June ‘38 Executive Committee was authorized to investigate the installation of a water pump on the 1935 Ford.

Sept ‘38 Chief George Lang reimbursed expenses of $34.55 for his trip to Buffalo for installation of the new Hale pump on the 1935 Ford.

Feb ‘40 Spent $70.00 for blasting hole in the Farmington River behind barber shop on River Street for water supply when river was low.

Sep ‘40 Hole had to be dug out as filled with silt. Project abandoned after first year.

Mar ‘41 Constitution amended to automatically give active member entering the Armed Forces a leave of absence.

Dec. ‘43 Overhead door purchased for firehouse.

June ‘45 Purchased used air raid siren from West Hartford for $250.

Nov. ‘47 Hydrants installed along Poquonock Avenue as far north as Maple Street (Niles Road)

Mar. ‘48 Supplied drivers for Windsor ambulance.

July ‘48 Spectacular multiple shed tobacco shed fire on Day Hill Road.

July ‘48 Voted to authorize Chief and Tanker Purchase Committee to purchase tank truck not to exceed $1600.

Sep. ‘48 Committee appointed to meet with Town Council for new fire house in Poquonock.

Nov. ‘49 Car markers voted for members.

Jan. "49 Requested funds for converting Old Town Hall to Firehouse.

Feb. 50 Work began on new firehouse in Old Town Hall.

Sep. 50 Moved into unfinished Firehouse.

Dec. 50 Major revision of Constitution and by-laws. Name changed to Poquonock Fire Company.

Sept. ‘51 Special meeting to discuss replacing Tank Truck Tractor after accident on Sept. 15. Five men riding truck, two with serious injuries. Accident occurred on Stone Road while responding to tobacco shed fire near East Granby town line. Over $6000 collected in cash donations.

Sep. 51 Order place for new F-8 Ford truck for tanker.

July ‘52 Two-way radio purchase discussed at meeting.

Jan ‘53 Two-way radios purchased with matching Civil Defense funds.

March ‘53 Radios installed in Engine and tanker.

Jan. ‘54 Pyroblender (wet water) installed on tanker.

July ‘54 Second tanker purchased, 3500 gallon Brockway.

Aug. ‘54 Committee appointed to request new pumper from Town.

Aug. ‘55 1955 Flood. Evacuated all residents near river for fear of Rainbow Dam failing.

Dec. ‘55 Voted to incorporate.

May ‘56 New Maxim 750 GPM pumper delivered.

June ‘56 Voted to sell 2nd tanker to Hayden Station for $600 (1/2 cost of original purchase)

Dec. ‘56 Voted to stand fire watch at all village churches on New Year’s Eve after multiple suspicious church fires in other communities.

Jan. ‘57 Voted to investigate locating two additional sirens on Day Hill and Rainbow Road.

Dec. ‘57 George Lang resigned as Chief but continued on as active member.

April ‘58 Purchased new uniforms. Cost $27.50 for pants, shirt and hat. Members donated $10.00 of cost.

June ‘58 Raffle voted. Raised $1875.07.

Oct. ‘58 Purchased Resuscitator for $278.00

Oct. ‘58 Insignia designed by Barbara Garner.

May ‘59 Metropolitan District water connected to Firehouse. Well abandoned.

June ‘59 New phone alarm notification system installed in homes of seven members.

Dec. ‘59 Purchased exhaust fan smoke ejector.

June ‘60 Participated in the filming of the movie "Parrish"

Feb. ‘61 Junior Auxiliary organized

Oct. ‘61 Foam tank installed on Tanker.

Mar. ‘62 Sponsored "Festival of Harmony" cleared $1800.

July ‘62 Ford Emergency truck ordered.

Oct. ‘62 Fire in steeple of St. Joseph’s Church. All equipment in town responded mutual-aid from Windsor Locks for aerial.

Dec. ‘62 Emergency truck delivered.

June ‘63 New home radio alerting installed in member’s homes.

Oct. ‘63 Second "Festival of Harmony" clears $1008.00

Mar.’64 Turret gun for tanker purchased.

July ‘64 Discussion: Remodel firehouse or request new one.

Oct. ‘64 Spectacular success in saving four tobacco shed on Hazelwood Farm using new Turret Gun,

April ‘65 Council Meeting to discuss new Firehouse.

July ‘65 Voted to house apparatus in John McGowan’s barn while new firehouse constructed on site of old firehouse/

Aug. ‘65 Voted to accept St. Casmir’s offer to use their Hall for meetings during construction.

Jan. ‘66 Moved into new firehouse.

June. "66 Dedication ceremony for new fire house.

Aug. ‘67 Purchased new hose washer.

Oct. ‘68 Committee appointed to investigate purchase of new Tank Truck.

June ‘69 Voted to purchase 14 foot boat, motor, trailer and accessories for $700..

June ‘69 Discussed procedures for responding to riot situations.

July ‘69 Purchased new uniforms. Double breasted jackets, pants, and white shirts.

May ‘70 Woman’s Auxiliary formed.

June ‘71 New radio antenna tower installed.

Oct. ‘72 Mack diesel, 2000 gallon tanker with 750 GPM pump delivered.

Mar. ‘74 Voted to sell original tanker for $2000.

Jan. ‘75 Siren put in service at Landfill site.

June ‘75 Voted to sell 1935 Ford for $200.

Jan. "76 Hahn diesel, 1500 GPM delivered.

Nov. ‘76 Voted acceptance of ‘Line Officer’s Tests" used to evaluate candidates for future Line Officers.

April ‘77 First Annual Ball

July ‘77 Emergency Medial Service unit organized.

Oct ‘79 Tornado destroys numerous buildings, multiple rescues , medical responses. Stationed manned for a week as searches and clean-up activities continue.