Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department

==Overview==
The Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department was created for the purpose of extinguishing fires pursuant to the statutory provisions of that time as a volunteer department in 1934. The District is one of eight special districts within the Town of Groton established for the purpose of fire protection. Note: This department is unrelated to the Poquonock Fire Company in Windsor, Connecticut.
Since then, the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department has evolved into an all-hazards career department, operating out of a single station. In addition to fire prevention and suppression services, the department provides first responder emergency medical services, advanced rescue techniques, and hazardous materials containment and mitigation planning for the Poquonnock Bridge Fire District. The department responds to approximately 2,000 calls for service a year.
==History==
In the early days, the bucket brigade was the only available method for the community to fight fires. On June 21, 1934, after years of watching homes and businesses burn to the ground, local residents petitioned to form a fire department. The Poquonnock Bridge Volunteer Fire Department was established In August of 1934. Several months later a used fire engine was purchased and housed in a local garage.
In 1939, the members of the Fire Department voted to buy a new pumper and to start saving for a firehouse. The Fort Hill Fire Station was completed in 1946, largely with volunteer labor. During World War II, the population of the village increased substantially, and as a result in June, 1943, a substantially enlarged Poquonnock Bridge Fire District was created by the voters. An alarm/call box system was installed in the Fort Hill area in 1944. In 1946, the first paid firefighter was hired by the department.
At the 1989 annual meeting of the Fire District, the voters approved the funds for the second fire house within the district. The Long Hill Station was dedicated on November 18, 1990, the department relocated an engine (Engine 33) and ladder truck (Tower 35) to the new station, as well as the department's boat and trailer, and the Special Ops trailer. The smaller Fort Hill station housed an engine (Engine 32), as well as the Fire Prevention Office and the Fire Alarm Maintenance truck.
Like a lot of departments, volunteers were once an integral part of District operations, however, since 2005 the department has consisted solely of paid staff.
In 2012, the district found itself facing a significant financial crisis, due to, at least in some part, rising costs associated with the collective bargaining agreement and pension fund. With the fire district struggling financially, the district decided to close the Fort Hill Station. That station closed on November 1, 2013, and all department operations were consolidated to the Long Hill Road station. In 2014, the District’s board authorized the layoffs of nine firefighters after taxpayers approved a budget that was $700,000 less than the district had the previous year. Since then, the department has regained financial stability, and several of the eliminated positions have been returned. The Fort Hill Station remains closed; it has since been converted into a restaurant.
During the 2010s, the department moved away from its all-white apparatus to a white over red color scheme.
==Apparatus Roster ==
All pump/tank measurements are in US gallons.
===Long Hill Fire Station - 373 Long Hill Road===
Station opened 1990 
:Chief 3 (G-3) - 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe 4x4
:Deputy Chief 30 (G-30) - 201? Ford Explorer AWD
:Engine 32 (G-32) - 2020 Spartan Metro Star / Marion (1500/570)
:Engine 33 (G-33) - 2007 Ferrara Igniter (1500/750/30F) (SN#H-3540) (Ex-Engine 32) (Repainted 2016)
:Ladder 35 (G-35) - 2012 Smeal Sirius II 6x4 (2000/480/20F/105' rear-mount) (Ex-demo, acquired 2015)
:Captain 38 (G-38) - 2006 GMC Sierra 4x4
:20?? Ford Escape
:Kawasaki Mule 4x4 UTV
==Retired Apparatus==
: 2000 Spartan Gladiator / Smeal / 2016 refurb pumper (1500/500/30B)
:1994 Spartan Gladiator / Central States pumper (1250/500/30F) (Ex-G-31, ex-G-32)
:1992 Sutphen aerial (250/200/95' mid-mount platform) (Ex-G-35)
:1984 Hahn HCP pumper (1500/500/40) (Ex-G-33)
:1981 Hahn HCP pumper (1500/500) (Ex-G-32)
:1981 GMC Brigadier / Pierce pumper (1000/500) (Ex-G-31)
:1974 American LaFrance Century aerial (-/-/100' rear-mount ladder) (Ex-G-35) (Sold to Saxton Volunteer Fire Company)
:1964 International / Farrar pumper (500/500)	(Ex-G-34)
:1964 FWD / Farrar pumper (750/800) (Ex-G-32)
:1961 Ward LaFrance Firebrand pumper (1000/500) (Ex-G-31)
:1941 Mack Type 45 pumper
==External Links ==
*Poquonnock Bridge Fire District
Category:New London County
Category:Connecticut departments operating Ferrara apparatus
Category:Connecticut departments operating Smeal apparatus
Category:Former operators of American LaFrance apparatus
Category:Former operators of Farrar apparatus
Category:Former operators of Hahn apparatus
Category:Former operators of Pierce apparatus
Category:Former operators of Sutphen apparatus
Category:Former operators of Ward LaFrance apparatus