This firehouse history was compiled from company records, minutes and its membership. We appreciate all the input provided to give this history some flavor of the firehouse and its inception. There was much more information provided than available space, but in our hearts we all try to relive those good times with the stories told around the firehouse. Hilltop Hose is not just a building, land or firetruck . it is the membership that has kept it full of the life with its goal to serve the community.
The story begins more than 50 years ago when this land, known as the Hilltop, became the fastest growing section of Ansonia. Late in 1955, Harrison Baldwin and a few of his neighbors discussed the need for fire protection, and from these civic-minded people, the Hilltop Hose Company #5 was conceived.
The first organizational meeting was held in February 1956 at the East Side Hilltop Civic Association. About 30 public-spirited men got together with city officials to begin the formation of a fire com pany.
Temporary chairman of the organization was Louis Maffeo, with acting secretary, Harrison Baldwin. President of the Board of Aldermen, Richard Martino, presented a resolution to the Board of Appropriations for water holes while the rest of the group would talk to city officials about obtaining fire fighting equipment and a building to house it.
Hilltop Hose Co. #5 was incorporated with the State of Connecticut on March 26, 1956.
A Diamond-T pumper was purchased from the neighboring town of Orange for $900 (it was funded through member loans and fund-raisers). "It was housed at the Ansonia Airport with the help of John Uhoch,” according to Art "Babe" Anglace.
Hilltop was now a company with a state charter and a growing list of members. Hilltop Hose moved to their first headquarters at the Ansonia Airport (which is now the housing development on Ford Road near Chester Street). Meetings were held in the airport's old Quonset hut.
In 1957 the company entered into an agreement with the East Side Civic Association to lease a section of land to build a firehouse (located at Pulaski Highway and Marshall Lane). The acceptance of the terms was voted on at the June 1957 meeting. The Civic Association agreed to allow the company the use of facilities and build a 24'x31' barn with Michael Student as building construction supervisor. The quarters were occupied by the end of the year.
In May 1958 a letter was sent to the Board of Aldermen to inquire about "water holes" in the area. Also, a letter was sent to Chief Charles Dick concerning the installation of a "hooter" on the company building as soon as possible.
The early years were a tremendous learning experience for the firehouse and its members. Charter member Jim Egan recalled a house fire at 3 or 4 a.m. at Howard's on Marshall Lane. Mike Student was the first there to drive the truck. I was second one there riding on the back. I ran in with a booster line, no boots, helmet, or coat. A woman had fallen asleep on the second floor couch while smoking. Joey Kingston, from Websters, was carrying her downstairs when I went in with the booster line. One whiff and I wanted to turn around [and leave] but a prod from Mike [Student] kept me moving.”
Charter member Daniel Hogan recounted more of the early Hilltop years regarding a mutual aid call. .A few months after we received our first fire truck and before we got a water tanker, I got a call at my door (and we now complain about lack of radio communications?) that the Orange Fire Department was looking for help. John Uhoch and I were the only volunteers available during the day (I worked nights on the railroad). We spent all day fighting the fire, coming home around 4:30 p.m. We got to Racebrook Road when, lo and behold, our truck died on us. While trying to figure out what to do, the Army, coming from the fire saved the day. They had a heavy chain and tied it to our front bumper and towed us back to the airport facility..
Hilltop's Charter Members who started the company are: Joseph Abate, Michael Adamski, Alexander Adamski, John Allen, M. Ambrose, Joseph Apter, Robert Baldwin, Harrison Baldwin, John Balisciano, Philip Bariesi, Frank Benassi, Richard Grosskoff, William Bruns, Theodore Bruns, Joseph Cicerchia, Frank Delorenzo, Robert DiMauro, Paul Dworkin, James Egan, Michael Egan, Sr., Edmund Gilbert, Chester Harrison, Daniel Hogan, Harold Johnson, Harold Jones, John Kassinoff, Frank Kohanski, John Larkin, James Lawless, Gunnard Lindgren, Morton Linett, Louis Maffeo, Emil Mariano, Henry Moncheski, Michael Moroz, Rudy Mudry, Anthony Piampiano, John Prestiano, John Remus, Walter Richter, Gustave Rubelmann, Frank Ruotolo, John Saldibar, George Sokol, Anthony Staffieri, Michael Student, Edgar Taylor, Frank Tuccio, James Tuccio, Allen Turner, John Uhoch, Walter Webb, and Chester Zebrowski.
In 1958, the company's initial equipment was purchased with a $500 grant from The New Haven Foundation.
In 1959, a 1,000 gallon Ford tank truck was purchased for $1.00 from George and Harry Liftig through Al Passander. Jim Egan said, .Most of the repair work was done on this tankard by Al Passander and Babe Anglace.. Also, a 1945 Mack emergency truck from Webster Hose was purchased from the city for $1.00. (Thanks, Websters!) Extensive overhauling was necessary to put these two units into service.
The 1960s brought about yet another "new" truck to Hilltop and a reorganization. In 1961, the acquisition of a new pumper for Charters Hose left their 1948 Seagrave pumper available for purchase from the city for yet another $1.00. This truck was overhauled for $3,000 and became the company's first major piece of fire apparatus. (Thanks, Charters!)
In 1963, the Board of Aldermen passed a resolution approving Hilltop Hose for a five-year probationary period, and when this term ended, Hilltop became the fifth fire company in the City of Ansonia. Just prior to the end of this period, the company purchased the land adjacent to the firehouse.
Two years later, after many meetings with the city, negotiations were finalized and money was appropriated for a new fire station and a new Mack diesel pumper. Ground-breaking ceremonies for the new station were held on July 13, 1971. Later, on Oct. 31, 1971, the dedication and open house were held for the new station.
In the spring of 1972 the new 500-gallon Mack was put into service. This pumper became a new source of pride for the Hilltopers. Fellow firefighters and the community joined together at an open house to celebrate the new apparatus.
Moving on to Bob Barry . Hilltop.s .Chief of Chiefs.. Barry passed away in March 1986 during his second run through the .chief-cycle. in the Ansonia Fire Department. He had the gruffness to scare probies out of their boots but the right words of encouragement to make them want to stay and do their best. He is memorialized by the company.s annual Bob Barry Award given to a member who best exemplifies dedication, service and good will towards other members. Receiving this award has become the proudest moment for many of the company.s members.
Son and brother of two charter members, Mike Egan also noted two members who dedicated their time and served three terms as captain. .Tom Addenbrooke and Jack Killeen, both special people, made many contributions to the Hilltop and its members,. Egan said. .Both were knowledgeable of the fire service and shared their experiences with others, helping all to be the best they could be..
In 1997, the city purchased a Pierce Lance as the "new" engine 5. After 25 years of loyal service "old" engine 5 was retired. At this time, Jim .Skinny. Evans began the Save the Mack Committee and led the decision for the membership to buy the truck from the city for . you guessed it . $1.00. Joining forces with Eileen Ehman and local Hilltop resident Sandy Haley, Skinny organized endless tag sales at the firehouse to fund the construction of a new 20. x 40. barn for the Mack and to refurbish the aged pumper. The Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, using money from the Gates Fund, provided nearly $7,000 in grants to support the efforts to get the old truck in shape. The .new. Mack will be unveiled during the 2006 anniversary year and continue to be used for training by the Ansonia Junior Firefighters,
parade transportation for Hilltop.s scouts, and a source of pride for members who carefully maintained it though its gallant years of service.
Another highlight of Hilltop is Skinny Evans, our living treasure. He has served Hilltop tirelessly for more than 40 years. He ran through the line officer ranks to Captain in his early years with the company and has managed to stay a company officer (financial secretary) to this day. Skinny is the quiet motivator for many members. When he could sit back and rest on his laurels, he remains very active and has shown by example, not just by words. (He also looks like Burl Ives . and if you know who that is, well .)
The year 2001 brought two devastating fires . the first, in May, the Latex Foam fire in downtown Ansonia that many members still talk about with awe. Our chief, Bob Caruso, was first assistant at the time but served as the Incident Command Officer, coordinating an attack involving 16 fire departments from around the area. Hilltop was at the scene on and off for up to a week, as city companies were placed in a rotation to put out hot spots.
The second fire occurred on the infamous date of September 11, 2001, and it changed the face of the fire service. For many members, the loss of so many FDNY members was truly heart- wrenching. .The attack of the World Trade towers was one of the most significant events for me,. said Captain Mike Neumahr. .Being a firefighter during this time and watching the coverage from Hilltop Hose will stay with me forever.. For many area firefighters, the desire to run to NYC and help brother firefighters was overcome by the desire to stay and protect the home front. The uncertainty of the first days after the attack traumatized many in the fire service who wanted to assist somewhere, somehow, and some way. Since that time, the level of respect by the general public for the work of firefighters has increased.
On May 31, 2002, Hilltop Hose presented its coveted Bob Barry Award to the New York City Fire Department in an unprecedented, and unanimous, decision to go .out of the company ranks.. Past award recipients traveled to NYC to present the plaque. .I will never forget this day,. said Mark Dzvileski, .and we will never forget the 343 FDNY mem
bers who lost their lives on 9-11.. After leaving FDNY headquarters, Hilltop members were taken inside Ground Zero for an up-close view of the devastation. Many prayers were said that day.
But . with the approach of our 50th anniversary in 2006, we move forward to continue to do our best in serving Ansonia residents. We hope memories continue to stockpile for those in the future who will add to this history. One thing we can say for certain, no matter how many years pass behind us, the camaraderie of the fire service is such a special bond that we can always say, .I belong to Hilltop Hose. with pride.
This history was compiled by Mike Egan, Eileen Ehman, and Eileen Krugel based on input from previous records and membership contributions. Thanks to all who helped!