The first masks were purchased in 1931 with two McCaa filter-type masks carried on Ladder 1.
In January 1934, the wooden apparatus floor at the Central Fire Station was removed and replaced with a poured concrete floor. This was done in sections as some of the apparatus remained outside. The work was completed in June 1934. During the same period, the floor of the Greenwood Station was also replaced.
Mutual aid with the Stoneham Fire Department was completed on November 8, 1937.
In 1938, one of the most uniquely designed fire apparatus was purchased by the town, when a 750gpm pumper was obtained at a cost of $9500 from the Seagrave Company. This apparatus featured a completely enclosed sedan type body that carried 1250 feet of hose and had a 100-gallon tank with 250 feet of booster hose. It went in service as Engine 3 on October 27, 1938, replacing the 1918 White known as Combination 1.
During 1938, two new Gamewell Cole model type fire alarm transmitters were purchased for the Central Fire Station. One transmitter was on fast time and the other was on slow time, both replacing the 1900 Gamewell Excelsior brake wheel type transmitter than was relocated to the Greenwood Station.
A new Dodge chassis was purchased from Classen’s Dodge dealership in Greenwood at a cost of $1982.71 in 1941; the firefighters built a sedan type body, similar to that of Engine 3. This new enclosed wagon went in service on December 11, 1941, as Engine 4. This wagon carried 1500 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose, had a 145-gallon booster tank with 250 feet of booster hose. It replaced the 1920 Pierce Arrow squad wagon built by the department in 1926.
In January 1942, Civil Defense formed the first auxiliary fire force, consisting of civilian personnel. On January 9, the first meeting and drill was held at the Central Fire Station with 15 men assigned as auxiliary firemen. A second-hand 1929 Pierce Arrow sedan was converted into a hose wagon by creating an opening in the rear that enabled the apparatus to carry 1000 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose. This was placed in service as Auxiliary 1 for Civil Defense.
On October 16, 1945, Chief Fred D. Graham retired as Chief of Department and Captain Clifford E. Jacobs was appointed Chief on October 20, 1945.
The first radio communications was provided for the Fire Department through the police department. A radio on the police frequency of 39.46 Mz was installed in the 1939 Dodge Fire Chief’s car in 1945.
On April 1, 1946, the work hours were reduced from 84 to 70 hours per week and the permanent force was increased from 16 to 20 men.
In 1947, a new Gamewell Peerless fast time fire alarm transmitter was purchased and installed at the Central Fire Station. It replaced the fast time 1938 Gamewell Cole transmitter, then relocated to the Greenwood Station. Greenwood’s 1900 Gamewell Excelsior brake-wheel transmitter was donated to the Lynnfield Center Fire Department. The remaining 1939 Gamewell Cole slow time transmitter was retained at the Central Fire Station and used for sounding only the fire whistle on special occasions.
