These audio files are from tapes that were used in a voice activated recorder. Prior to Somerville Fire going to a UHF frequency, they operated without a repeater. Therefore some of the radio traffic was not picked by the voice activated recorder. These and future files have also been edited to remove some of the dead air that would take up alot of time. These files reflect the busiest time on the Somerville Fire Department for fires.
Note: You will need to have Quick Time Player installed on your computer to listed to the Audio Files. If you do not have Quick Time Player and would like to download it for free CLICK HERE
Because of the size of these files, it may take a minute or so before the audio starts playing.
For reference, "301" was the Chief of the Department. "302" and "303" were Chief Officers - referred to as "C-2" and "C-3" present day.
(Photo above by L. Murray Young)
(Photo above by Bob Marshall)
(Photos below courtesy of Captain Frank Lee - SFD)
The Squire's fire was on September 1, 1978. Fire was in a vacant, five story brick warehouse. Fire originated in the basement and spread throughout. The floors of the building were saturated with years of grease from the meat packing industry. An interior attack was initially attempted by members of Group 3 but was abandoned after fire began to spread to upper floors. A collapse of the Medford Street wall destroyed the 303 (District Chief's vehicle). Two dwellings on Medford Street also suffered fire damage. The all-out was not sounded until September 3rd @ 2059 hours.
Squires 10 Alarm Fire Part 1 CLICK HERE
Squires 10 Alarm Fire Part 2 CLICK HERE
Squires 10 Alarm Fire Part 3 CLICK HERE
Friday September 1, 1978
41-51 Medford Street - Former J.P. Squire Div.; Swift & Co.
5 Story Brick Vacant Interconnected Former Meat Packing Warehouse
2352 - Box 21 Struck for a reported fire on Medford Street
Response on Box 21: Somerville Engines 3, 2 & 1; Ladders 1 & 2; Car 303 and Cambridge Engine 3
Saturday September 2, 1978
0003 - Working Fire
Responding to the Working Fire: Car 302 & 410 (The Lighting Plant)
Special Mutual Aid: Everett Engine 3 to cover Somerville Headquarters
Cambridge Ladder 2 to cover Somerville Headquarters
Everett Ladder 1 to cover the Teele Square Station
Medford Ladder 1 to cover the Union Square Station
0013 - 2nd Alarm
Responding to the fire on the 2nd Alarm: Somerville Engines 5, 4, 7 & 9
Somerville Ladder 4
Mutual Aid Coverage: Arlington Engine 2 to cover the Teele Square Station
Boston Engine 32 to cover the Union Square Station
0046 - 3rd Alarm
Responding to the fire on the 3rd Alarm: Somerville Engine 6
Boston Engine 32 & D-2
Everett Engine 3
Medford Ladder 1
Mutual Aid Coverage: Boston Engine 8 to cover the Union Square Station
Everett Engine 2 to cover Somerville Headquarters
Medford Engine 5 to cover the Highland Ave Station
Arlington Ladder 2 to cover the Teele Square Station
Revere Engine 4 to cover Everett Engine 2's Station
0150 - 4th Alarm
Responding to the fire on the 4th Alarm: Boston Engines 8 & 10
Cambridge Engine 5 & Ladder 3
Mutual Aid Coverage: Boston Engine 3 to cover the Union Square Station
Chelsea Engine 5 to cover Somerville Headquarters
0151 - Request 5th Alarm Coverings:
Boston Engine 1 to cover the Union Square Station
Malden Engine 3 to cover Somerville Headquarters
Medford Engine 3 to cover Somerville Headquarters
0213 - Special Mutual Aid:
Boston Ladder 13 to cover Cambridge Ladder 3's station
0222 - 5th Alarm
Responding to the fire on the 5th Alarm: Boston Engines 3 & 34
Boston Ladder 15
Malden Engine 3
0222 - 6th Alarm
Responding to the fire on the 6th Alarm: Boston Engine 40
Belmont Engine 3
Mutual Aid Coverage: Chelsea Ladder 2 to cover the Union Square Station
0246 - 7th Alarm
Responding to the fire on the 7th Alarm: Malden Engine 2
Brookline Engine 1, Ladder 2 & C-2
Watertown Engine 1
0255 - 8th Alarm
Responding to the fire on the 8th Alarm: Boston Engine 1
Lynn Engine 9
Waltham Engine 2
Malden Tower Ladder 3
0255 - 9th Alarm
Responding to the fire on the 9th Alarm: Revere Engine 5 & Ladder 2
Winthrop Engine 1
Watertown Engine 2
0301 - Request 10th Alarm Coverings
Mutual Aid Coverage: Waltham Engine 5 to cover Somerville Headquarters
Melrose Engine 1 to cover Somerville Headquarters
Lynn Engine 7 to cover Somerville Headquarters
Boston Ladder 8 to cover the Highland Ave. Station
0312 - Request 10th Alarm Response
Responding to the fire on the 10th Alarm: Cambridge Engine 1
Chelsea Engine 5
Lynn Engine 7
Waltham Engine 5
Boston D-7
0325 - Cambridge Still Alarm: Cambridge Engine 6 & Aerial Tower 1 to Cambridge Street for Spark Patrol
0359 - Special Mutual Aid: Cambridge Engine 6 to cover the Union Sq. Station
0416 - Special Mutual Aid: Medford Engine 4 to cover Somerville Fire Headquarters
Sunday September 3, 1978
2059 - The All Out was sounded on Box 21
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