The Somerville Fire Dept. was established in 1842 and joined the International Association of Firefighters as Local 76 in the year 1918.  Currently, there are 152 full-time, uniform members of the Somerville Fire Department.  Of those 152 members, 73 are certified as EMT Basic and 2 members are certified paramedics.  The Somerville Fire Department currently runs 5 full-time engines, 2 ladder trucks and 1 tower ladder truck out of 5 stations throughout the city which covers an area of 4.2 square miles. A 6th engine company is put into service when there is adequate manpower avaliable to man it.  Because the department responds to all medical emergencies in the city, all apparatus is BLS/SAED equipped.  The 2 ladder trucks and 1 tower ladder truck are equipped with a thermal imaging camera.  The department also has a special operations truck, an air supply unit, a water rescue boat and a regional hazmat technical operations module.  At the present time, a normal shift  includes 1 deputy chief, 1 district chief, and a 3 man minimum manning per company.  A normal shift is 24 hours on with 72 hours off.

The Maltese Cross pictured above is located on the front of Somerville Engine # 1.  It has been passed down through the years as a symbol of our department.  Former Fire Chief Walter Cullinane explained the images of this Maltese Cross during the dedication of the fire station located at the corner of Somerville Avenue and Lowell Street back in 1963: 

"Our motto "Vigilare Tecta" is taken from the orations of Cicero against Catalina.  Bk. II in which he calls upon the firemen of Rome "to guard our roofs" from the firebrands of the enemy.  The firemen of ancient Rome were stationed atop high wooden towers from which they were able to view the roofs of the city below. Upon discovering a fire, they would sound the alarm by means of trumpets.  It is to these men that Cicero is intrusting the safety of Rome and the lives of its inhabitants."

"The trumpet signifies the authority of the department while engaged in the extinguishment of fire."

"The buckets signify the part played by the engine or water companies."

"The crossed axes denote the work of the ladder companies."

"The representation of the ancient Powder House clearly designates this as being the symbol of the fire department of the City of Somerville."

"The colors of the shield are those commonly used in heraldry: red, symbol of warmth; blue, symbol of constancy, fidelity and genuineness; gold, symbol of royalty and purity."

Special Thanks to Lt. Charlie Houghton for providing the Maltese Cross info.