In Rowley’s early history, firefighting was performed as needed by untrained, loosely organized groups of citizens. They were equipped with wooden ladders, hooks, axes, and water buckets. Canvas sails were also stored to smother fires. This equipment was stored in wooden ladder houses which were built strategically around town. Wells, cisterns, and natural waterways were depended upon for water. Rowley’s first recorded fire was reported at the home of Rev. Ezekiel Rogers on July 16, 1651. Without an effective means to extinguish fires, houses and barns were frequently reported damaged or destroyed throughout the 17th and 18th century.
At some point in it’s early history, Rowley was divided into about four fire districts under the control of appointed Fire Wards. In 1891, the town acquired a small “Douglas” handtub (a portable hand-operated water pump, believed to be manufactured in 1881). This handtub could be used alongside “bucket brigades” to produce more powerful streams of water. That same year, the town also acquired it’s first ladder truck and “Rowley Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1” was organized. In 1898, the company disbanded due to limited funds and the ladder truck was sold. By 1900, there is some evidence to show the town utilized a horse-drawn wagon equipped with a small, simple hand pump and water buckets.
In 1838, fire destroyed a large dairy barn on Summer Street.
Large fires were fought with help from the professional fire departments in Ipswich and Newburyport. In many cases, this was not enough to prevent the destruction of homes and businesses. Major uncontrolled fires led to the destruction and closing of many of Rowley’s large industries throughout the 19th and 20th century.
On April 2, 1902, a conflagration swept across the town center. The fire destroyed the Henry P. Boynton stables, stores, factory on Main Street. Adjoining tenements and many houses were damaged or destroyed. The fire spread to the First Baptist Church and threatened to spread further across the town, however volunteers successfully extinguished the flames, possibly using the Douglas handtub. The conflagration and the resulting loss was the largest the town had seen. Damages were only partially covered by insurance.
In 1906, the “old Tan House” on Central Street, a 110 foot long structure which housed a manufacturer of boats and canoes, was destroyed by large fire. This fire also destroyed a nearby tenement building and damaged nearby homes. Less than half of the damages from this fire were covered by insurance.
In 1907, William Prime’s Boat shop was destroyed by fire.
In 1916, the Glen Mills complex, a profitable grist mill at the site of today’s Jewel Mill, was destroyed by fire.
In 1919, the historic Eagle House Hotel on Main Street was destroyed by fire.
In 1920, the Universalist Church on Central Street was destroyed by fire.
In 1924, a group of concerned Rowley citizens met to consider the issue of fire protection.
In 1927, the Mooney Richardson Shoe Factory on Hammond Street, a 120 foot by 40 foot structure, was destroyed by a large fire.
On December 19, 1927, a group of citizens was chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as the Rowley Volunteer Fire Protection Association, Incorporated (RVFPA). Their stated purpose was to purchase and maintain fire equipment for the protection of lives and property within the Town of Rowley. This private agency received the blessings of the town government and proceeded to recruit, train, and equip volunteer firefighters under the leadership of a Board of Fire Engineers. The RVFPA also provided fire inspection services and maintained the town’s Gamewell alarm system.
In 1928, the Titcomb barn on Central Street was destroyed by fire. On April 28th of that year, the RVFPA purchased it’s first motorized apparatus; a Seagrave Suburbanite pumper at a cost of $6,500. It was housed in a garage on Central Street.
In 1929, the original Rowley Depot on Railroad Ave was destroyed by fire.
In 1933, a building on Main Street, which was once used as a barber shop, grocery store, and pool hall, was moved around the corner to 7 Hammond Street. In 1934, the RVFPA purchased this building as their first fire station. It opened for service in 1936. The town’s first hydrant system was installed in 1948, providing a more readily available water supply.
In 1959, St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Main Street was severely damaged by fire.
In the 1960’s, the F.L. Burke factory, at the corner of Railroad Ave and Main Street, was destroyed by fire.
Volunteer firefighters proceeded to serve the town well until the 1990’s. Changing work patterns caused a lack of volunteers during weekdays, and the RVFPA petitioned the town for help. In 1997, the first career fire chief was hired, and the Town of Rowley Fire Department was born. Two full-time captains were hired shortly thereafter. On July 1, 2009 the Rowley Board of Selectmen reorganized the RFD and eliminated the RVFPA’s role. With the discontinuation of the volunteer system, the RFD now employs paid on-call firefighters who work as town employees. Today, the RVFPA remains as an active association to support firefighters and the community.
The Hammond Street station underwent two additions and numerous renovations, serving the town for more than 80 years. Due to growing concerns regarding size restrictions, needed repairs, and lack of modern firefighting amenities, the town determined the need for a new fire station. In 2019, the Hammond Street station was closed. The RFD moved to it’s newly constructed municipal fire station located at 473 Haverhill Street and hired two full-time firefighters. In early 2021 and 2022, the department hired six additional full-time firefighters. In total, the RFD currently employs a full-time Chief, 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 6 full-time firefighter/EMTs, 2 on-call Lieutenants, and about 20 on-call firefighters. The department currently operates three engines, an aerial ladder, a forestry unit, a command vehicle, and a utility unit.