The history of fire fighting in Holyoke is vast. There are still many of the old stations around Holyoke along with the new. The first motor fire truck (steam-driven) was in 1901. The last horse driven fire truck was in 1922.
Engine 9 is a 1935 Mack with a 750 GPM pumper. By 1965 it is in reserve only.
The types of jobs found in the Holyoke Fire department are: foreman, first assistant, clerk, driver, engineer, stoker, and hose driver.
A fire college was started in Holyoke in 1946.
Firemen deaths from work:
Capt James J Long of Pumping Co 3 dies Aug 29 1922 four days after fighting a fire at the Parsons Paper Mill. Smoke inhalation caused a heart attack.
Fireman James P Kiely dies Dec 23 1938 a day after fighting a fire at 84 Hampshire Street. He had become a fireman on Oct 25 of that same year. Died of monoxide.
James F Lacey (appt September 28 1923) and dies in the line of duty on May 6 1960.
Tragic Fires:
Precious Blood Church fire of 1875
Walter Scott medal
| year | date | locations | ||
| 1945 | Arthur H Lane | Oct 26 | 393-9 Main St | |
| 1946 | Wilfred Cote Thomas McGough | April 30 | 99 Essex | |
| 1947 | Raymond Collins (captain) | Nov 7 | 26-28 Ely Street | |