Since January 3, 1870, BFD Ladder Company 6 has proudly served the neighborhood of Dorchester! Currently, Ladder 6 resides with Engine 18 at Peabody Square – 1884 Dorchester Ave!
Image of Peabody Square firehouse circa 1960 via Boston Fire Historical Society
Here’s a little history of Ladder 6 via Boston Fire Historical Society
January 3, 1870 – The Town of Dorchester was annexed to the City of Boston. Dorchester Ladder Company 1, located in a firehouse at 51 River Street , Dorchester Lower Mills, was designated Boston Ladder Company 6, with the name ‘General Grant’. The company was equipped a truck built by Chapman & Strangman of Milton Lower Mills, placed into service in December 1869.
August 18, 1873 – Company received a new ladder truck built by Hunneman & Company of Boston, equipped with 19 ladders of varying lengths.
August, 1905 – Company received a new ladder truck built by C.N. Perkins & Co. The truck was equipped with 17 ladders of varying lengths.
March 2, 1917 – Company received a 1917 Christie front-drive motor tractor, Shop # 218T , attached to a 1905 Perkins combination city-service ladder truck, replacing the horse-drawn appartus.
June 4, 1925 – Company received a 1912 American LaFrance, Type 14, motor city-service combination ladder truck, Serial # 214, Shop # 200 , replacing the 1917 Christie.
1926 – Company received a 1923 American LaFrance, Type 14, city-service combination ladder truck, Serial # 4362, Shop # 232 , replacing the 1912 American LaFrance.
1931 – Company received a 1926 American LaFrance, Type 14, city-service ladder truck, Serial # 5596, Shop # 247.
June 1, 1938 – Company moved to the firehouse of Engine Company 19 at 128 Babson Street , Mattapan. The old firehouse at 51 River Street was closed.
1949 Company received a 1923 American LaFrance, Type 14, city-service combination ladder truck, Serial # 4364, Shop # 235.
May 13, 1950 – Company received a new 1950 Mack, Type 85, ladder truck, with a 65ft Maxim junior aerial, with booster, Serial # 85LS-1418, Shop # 232.
1953 – Lieutenant James G. Boles, Ladder Company 6, was awarded the Roll Of Merit. Citation
December 31, 1958 – Company moved into a new firehouse at 9 Gallivan Boulevard , Dorchester, along with Engine Company 16.
1971 – Company received a 1962 Seagrave 100ft aerial ladder truck, Serial # N308, Shop # 210.
February 7, 1972 – Company received a new 1972 Maxim 100ft aerial ladder truck, Serial # 2963, Shop # 221.
June 6, 1975 – Fire Lieutenant Hubert F. Moran, Ladder Company 6, died in the Line-Of-Duty from injuries received at a fire at 38 Jones Avenue, Mattapan, Box 3535, on May 11, 1975.
1982 – Company moved to the quarters of Engine Company 18 at 1884 Dorchester Avenue , Dorchester.
December 8, 1984 – Company received a new 1984 Emergency One 110ft rear-mount aerial ladder truck, Serial # 3742, Shop # 203.
1987 – Firefighter Robert M. Staunton, Ladder Company 6, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award. Citation
December 7, 1992 – Company received a new 1992 Emergency One 110ft rear-mount aerial ladder truck, Serial # 10935, Shop # 224.
1995 – Firefighter Paul D. Fountaine, Engine Company 18, detailed to Ladder Company 6, was awarded the Roll Of Merit. Citation
2002 – Firefighter Kevin A. Deagle, Ladder Company 6, was awarded the Roll Of Merit. Citation
2003 – Firefighter Dorian Jenkins, Ladder Company 6, was awarded the Walter Scott Medal for Valor for his actions on Melbourne Street, Dorchester, Box 3418, on May 3, 2003.
Citation for Fire Fighter Jenkins.
2006 – Fire Lieutenant Michael G. Aylward, Ladder Company 6, was awarded the Roll Of Merit. Citation
February 12, 2010 – Company received a new 2009 Emergency One Cyclone II 110ft, low-profile rear-mount aerial ladder truck, Serial # 135253, Shop # 249.
2011 – Fire Fighter Brian T. Coppney, Ladder Company 6, and Fire Fighter Philip T. Ordonez, Engine Company 18 (detailed to Ladder Company 6), were awarded the Roll Of Merit. Citation
2013 – Fire Fighter Marc R. Hayhurst, Ladder Company 6, was awarded the Roll Of Merit. Citation
November 7, 2019 – Company received a new 2019 Emergency One ‘Metro’ single-rear axle, 100ft rearmount aerial ladder truck, Serial # 141484, Shop # 278.
Main image via Engine 18/Ladder 6 on Facebook.
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
