Posted July 12, 2010
Exeter NH Fire Museum 1st Annual Photo day
30 Court Street Exeter NH
Saturday July 17, 2010 (rain date July 18, 2010)
Apparatus to be displayed outside of museum:
1835 Hunneman Hand Tub "Piscataqua"
1846 Hunneman Hand Tub "Atlantic"
1873 Amoskeag Steam Fire Engine "Eagle"
2-1928 McCann Fire Engines
1942 Seagraves Fire Engine
Additional old equipment and historical items on display
Contact info: Exeter Fire Museum on Facebook or EMAIL.

Posted 7/6/10
FireEngines.net and the Connecticut Fire Photographers are sponsoring a model emergency vehicle display and a photo night at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel, 275 Research Parkway, in Meriden CT.
It will be held on July 17th from 10AM to 9PM, and admission to the model displays and vendors is free.
*Model emergency vehicle displays – 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
*Vendors – 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
*Apparatus displays & demonstrations – 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
***Photography Show & Presentations – 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with an admission cost of $10.00 per person.
With Special Guest, Tim Klett of the FDNY
Contact Mike Quinn for further information on attending, displaying, hotel rooms. Vendor space ($20.00 per booth), demonstrators and display booths, are no charge. EMAIL, Phone: (203) 213-3056
Below is a list of some of the vendors that will be there;
InQuarters Decals
Code 3 Collectibles - with John Dunkel
New England CityWide - scanner/radio systems
Providence City Wide - Providence FD t-shirts
Meriden FD Local 1148 - Meriden FD t-shirts and a special "Silver City
Fire Fest" show t-shirt
Fire Apparatus Journal -books and magazines
CT Firemen's Historical Society -museum info and newly published "FDNY The Dreyfus Collection" book DMC Books
Ira Rubin - Paul Conway Shields dealer
Eagle Emblems - FDNY t-shirts and patches
In addition to the vendors, TWH, American Dioramas, First Gear, DieCast Promotions, and Corgi have all indicated that they will be sending some items for display.

Posted 6/29/10
THE LEATHER HELMET SOCIETY PROUDLY PRESENTS THE 9TH ANNUAL "BOB FITZ" FIREGROUND SLIDE SHOW
FEATURING NEW DVD / SLIDE SHOWS
NEW ENGLAND FIRES
LEATHER HELMET SOCIETY MEMBERS
FACES & FIRES -LYNN, MA. F.D. - 1960's thru 1980's
LOCAL JOBS in the 1980's / RECENT FIRE SCENES - So. N.H. & WORCESTER
DETROIT FIRE DEPT. - CHIEF DAVID TRAIFOROS
NEW JERSEY METRO FIRES
NEW JERSEY METRO FIRE PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION
NOTE: NEW LOCATION
AMERICAN LEGION HALL
43 BABOOSIC LAKE ROAD, MERRIMACK, NH
SATURDAY OCTOBER 2, 2010
SLIDE SHOW 7:OOP.M.
FIREMATIC VENDORS 6:00 P.M.
FOOD & SOFT DRINKS, CASH BAR AVAILABLE
TICKETS $10.00 ea.
To purchase tickets contact:
Charles Pierson (603) 644-8999 or Wayne Perkins (603) 429-2160 or 321-9742

Posted 6/18/10
Member Frank San Severino submitted this special report on the 38th anniversary of the Vendome Fire in Boston. CLICK HERE FOR DOCUMENT.

Posted 6/11/10
Member Frank San Severino compiled this nice list of runs and working fires for the METROFIRE departments. CLICK FOR THE DOCUMENT. THANKS FRANK!

Posted 5/25/10
The bus trip to CT was a big success! Click here to read all about it.

Posted 5/7/10
Some interesting articles submitted by Frank San Severino.
1970 Rescue Companies
Boston Fire, November 9, 1872
Boston Fire Organization Chart, 1872
Boston Coconut Grove Fire
METROFIRE UHF Frequency updates
Robie Industrial Park, Wakefield, February 5, 1972
Squires Fire, Somerville, September 1, 1978

Posted 4/5/10
It is with deep regret that the Box 52 Association announces the death of Past President (1961-1964) and life Member Edward R. Tufts.
Arrangements are as follows:
His memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 11:00 AM in the Ballroom of the Hawthorne Hotel 18 Washington Square, Salem, Ma. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday from 4-8 PM in the Murphy Funeral Home 85 Federal St. (corner of Rt 114 exit 25A from Rt 128) Salem, Ma. Private interment services will be held at the Harmony Grove Cemetery Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St. Suite B102, Danvers, Ma. 01923 or to the Friends of Marblehead Hockey PO Box 1273 Marblehead, Ma. 01945.

Edward R. Tufts
SALEM — Edward R. "Ed" Tufts, 91, husband of the late June (Hadley) Tufts of Salem died Thursday, April 1, 2010 in North Shore Medical Center, Salem with his family at his side.
Born on Federal Street in Salem, Ed was the son of the late Clarence and Elcena (Kiley) Tufts. From the age of 8 years old, he was raised by the late Roger and Marion Nichols who had a great influence on his life.
Mr. Tufts attended the Bowditch School, graduated from Salem High School in the Class of 1935 and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. A member of the class of 1940 at Norwich University, he served in the Army Air Corps (now the U.S. Air Force) 211th Coast Artillery Anti Air Craft First Corps of Cadets in the European-African Theater of Operation.
He is survived by two children, Dale E. Yale and her husband Glenn of Salem, and Dana E. Tufts and his wife Merry of Marblehead, five grandchildren and their spouses: Heather (Yale) Tripp and Andrew Tripp of South Hamilton, Kirsten (Yale) Austin and Fire Lieutenant Scott Austin of Salem, Bradford Tufts and Laura (Woodward) Tufts of South Boston, Jillian (Tufts) Lewis and Stephen Lewis of Salem, and Roger Tufts of Marblehead, two great-grandchildren, Joshua and Allie Tripp of South Hamilton, a sister-in-law, Barbara (Haymes) Tufts of Beverly, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother Robert "Bob" Tufts of Beverly.
Ed was a graduate of the School of Banking at Rutgers University in 1953, and the International School of Banking, Semmering, Austria in 1963. He began his career in banking as a teller at the Second National Bank of Boston. In 1956, Mr. Tufts was named the Executive Secretary of the Massachusetts Bankers Association where he eventually became Executive Vice President, and CEO until 1976. Among his many accomplishments at Mass. Bankers, he established and managed a professional development School of Banking at Williams College and was instrumental in promoting the Higher Education Loan Program or HELP. He had the foresight, with others, to see the potential nationally for student loans thus, Mass Bankers created a corporation in 1956 known as the Massachusetts Higher Education Assistance Corporation for the purpose of marketing and processing student loans for college and university attendance. This corporation became the model nationally for the management of student loans. In an ironic and satisfying turn of events, he became Treasurer of Mass Higher Ed. in 1976 until his retirement in 1983. A true philanthropist of his time and resources, Mr. Tufts served on the Board of Trustees of his beloved Salem Hospital from 1995 to 2006. He was a member of the Captain Bertram Society in recognition of his donations. He was a lifetime member of the Partridge Society for his contributions to Norwich University, and an Alumni Association Director from 1976-1980. In 2000, he was awarded a "Hero of Philanthropy" trophy by the National Society of Fund Raising Executives.
Countless hours of volunteering with a smile for the North Shore Medical Center Cancer Walk, the Salem Athenaeum, and Marblehead Youth Hockey enhanced his retirement. No stranger to the sports arena, Tufts played football for the Witches, and was a goalie in the formative years of Salem High's hockey team. He continued to play football and hockey at Norwich and also skated with the Boston Olympics just prior to his military service. He coached the Pee Wees for Marblehead Youth Hockey from 1967 to 1991 and was a fixture behind the bench at rinks all over the North Shore and in St. Lambert, P.Q. He was inducted into the Friends of Marblehead Hockey Hall of Fame for his coaching contributions in 1997.
A longtime member of Tedesco Country Club, Ed and his wife, June were avid golfers. In 1982, in conjunction with the Salem Hospital Aid Association, he and June launched the Salem Hospital Golf Tournament which is now a significant annual fund raising and social event. In 1985, Mr. Tufts won low gross in the event by shooting a 71 in the rain. An author and fire fighting historian of note, Ed wrote four books on the subject including a History of the Salem Fire Department, and Hundreds of Hunnemans, a historic account of the manufacture of Hunneman hand engines. He is the former President of the Firemark Circle of America and the Box 52 Association of Boston. His lectures and slide shows were a popular night at the Whiting Club and the Gerry 5 where he also held memberships. Affectionately known as "Grumpy" to his beloved grandchildren, Ed also leaves a wonderful group of friends, some from as far back as high school. His wit, his stories, his steadfast love, and his joy of life will be sorely missed.

The Officers and Directors of the Box 52 Association wish to extend heartfelt sympathy and condolences to Association members who have recently lost a loved one.
Our prayers and thoughts are with:
Ken Holstrom regarding the recent loss of his father -in-law;
John Gala regarding the recent loss of his father;
Anne Romano regarding the loss of her father. The Lynnfield Fire Department regrets to announce the death of Albert Barbin, father of firefighter Anne Romano and father-in-law of Chief Paul Romano (retired).

Posted 11/23/09
Interesting article on how Portsmouth responded to Boston in 1872. The article is in PDF format and can be read by clicking HERE.

Posted 11/2/09
Member Frank San Severino compiled interesting run statistics for METROFIRE. They can be found on the METROFIRE statistics page at CLICK HERE.

Posted 10/22/09
It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Box 52 member and former Middleton, MA Fire Chief George Nash. George was elected into membership February 16, 2001. Rest in Peace.

Posted 9/21/09
The Box 52 Association regrets to announce the passing of member Thomas Fay Jr, a retired captain from Brookline Mass.

Posted 9/15/09

***PRESS RELEASE***

FDNY LAUNCHES NEW FIREBOAT, THREE FORTY THREE, TO HONOR ALL FDNY MEMBERS LOST ON SEPTEMBER 11TH

The FDNY Marine Division*s newest fireboat, Three Forty Three, will be launched at a ceremony on Friday, September 11th at 10 a.m. at Eastern Shipbuilding Group shipyard at 2200 Nelson Street in Panama City, Florida. The ship is named in honor of all FDNY members killed on September 11th. The launch ceremony will consist of the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle across the bow, followed by the first splash down of the ship into the sea.

The Three Forty Three is expected to arrive in New York City in December and will be assigned to Marine 1, stationed on the Hudson River in Manhattan, replacing the 50-year-old John D. McKean. A second ship currently under construction, Fire Fighter II, will eventually replace the 50-year-old Fire Fighter, and will be assigned to Marine 9 on Staten Island. Both fireboats were funded, in large part, by over $40 million dollars in grants from the Department of Homeland Security. Eastern Shipbuilding Group of Panama City, Florida was awarded the contract for detailed design and construction of the ships on December 28, 2007. The fireboat*s original design is from naval architectural firm Robert Allan Ltd. of Vancouver, B.C.

*On September 11th, we all saw how important fireboats are to New York City. The FDNY Marine Division rescued and transported hundreds of citizens and provided the only supply of water to battle the fires at the World Trade Center for many days,* said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta. *The Three Forty Three will significantly improve our ability to respond to emergencies in and around New York Harbor, while also reminding us all of the incredible sacrifices so many of our members made eight years ago.*

The new 140-foot, 500-ton, $27 million dollar boat will be the country*s largest fireboat with a maximum speed of 18 knots. The Three Forty Three will provide the FDNY with the latest technology available for Marine vessels, including the capability of pumping 50,000 gallons of water per minute; nearly 30,000 gallons more than its predecessor. The Three Forty Three has been designed, with the assistance of U.S. Navy engineers from the U.S. military*s Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense and Naval Sea Systems Command, to detect and protect firefighters from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents. The ship contains a pressurized area that filters the air supply using special charcoal and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, allowing the crew members to operate when needed in hostile environments. Decontamination and first aid can be handled aboard the ship as well by means of a de-con shower area that leads to a triage and first-aid station.

Other innovative designs make this ship extremely useful to the FDNY. The Three Forty Three features a forward ballast tank which lowers the boat in the water to match its deck with larger ferries that operate in the waters around New York City. This feature will allow the fireboat to safely transfer and evacuate people in an emergency. The ship*s pilot house is configured to allow the Captain a 360-degree view of an operation, which can assist with maneuvering the vessel in tight quarters. In addition, the Three Forty Three has a command and control area where the ship*s officers will be able to monitor and direct fire operations with the aid of remote cameras and state-of-the-art communication equipment.

The FDNY Marine Fleet consists of more than 30 vessels responsible for over 450 miles of coastline and harbors and has protected New York City residents for 134 years.

Posted 9/11/09-
It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Honorary Box 52 member Retired Boston Fire Commissioner George Paul at the age of 86 on 09-09-09. Paul was elected as an Honorary member on May 21, 1970.