Mechanticut Park Fire Company - Cranston Volunteer Firefighters Museum

The Meshanticut Park Fire Company can trace its roots to 1895 and was originally known as the Pocasset Fire Company

In 1942 company members voted to change the name from the Pocasset Fire Company to the “Meshanticut Park Volunteer Fire Company”. During this time frame the company was using a 1940 Ford fire truck which was designated Engine 7.

The first Meshanticut fire station was located at Cranston and Curtis Street.

On February 1, 1949, Meshanticut firefighters responded to a most unusual alarm. Upon arrival at the fire station, they discovered that it was their station that was burning! The blaze caused considerable damage, and among the items lost were all the company records dating back to 1895. The fire was believed to have started in a pile of rubbish at the side of the building. Fortunately there were no injuries, and the damage was later repaired.

Click on photos to enlarge.

Tom Saccoccia on left,
George Meshchino on right.
New station dedication – 1976

In 1976 the fire company moved to brand new quarters at 495 Phenix Avenue, across from the Cranston West High School. It was also in 1976 that the company purchased a brand new blue Hahn fire engine which had a distinctive light blue color scheme, making it the only blue fire engine in Rhode Island. This fire engine still survives, and is on display at the Cranston Volunteer Firefighters Museum.

Meshanticut Engine 7 with hoses connected.

In the late 1980s Engine 7 was hit by a dump truck while responding to an alarm and requited extensive repairs and upgrades. The cab was repainted white, the lights were changed from round to square, and a lightbar replaced the single rotary light on the roof.

Mechanticut VFC, 1976 Hahn
Photo taken 2022.
Click on image to enlarge.

The Meshanticut Fire Company disbanded in 1995.

Meshanticut Fire Apparatus

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Meshanticut Park VFC
At Meshanticut Lake
April, 1943

This wreck involving Meshanticut’s fire engine occurred in 1935 while the fire company was still known as the Pocassett Fire Co. Two young fire fighters were responding to a barn fire when the accident occurred. One had four fingers on his hand amputated.

Meshanticut Park Vol. Fire Co.
Date Unknown

1940 Ford in front of Cranston Street fire station.

Engine 7 at a drill on Prominade Street in Providence – 1951

Standing: (L to R), Lt. Bill Cornell, Gerry Larrivee, Richard Brown, Bill Vitello, Glen Nelson
Kneeling: (L to R), Kurt Heilmann, Jim Cornell.

In 1955 the department received a new 1955 Ford Farrar fire engine.

1955 Ford Farrar Engine
Photo taken by Dan Pallazini,
October, 1969

Rear view of Engine 7
East Avenue
April 12, 1969

On June 4, 1955, a new 1955 Ford Farrar fire engine was placed in service. This engine remained in service until 1973 when it was broadsided in an accident at the intersection of Oaklawn Avenue and Dean Parkway while responding to a call. The engine was damaged beyond repair, and was replaced by a 1955 Ford that was purchased from the Roslyn Highlands, N.Y. Fire Department. This engine was originally dedicated as Engine 7, but later became Engine 17 when the Meshanticut Fire Company purchased a new 1976 Hann. It was sold to a private collector and its present location is unknown.

Training at Meshanticut lake, December, 1959.

Meshanticut Engine 7
Date unknown.
Note the black sevens on the mirrors. later pictures show them in white circles. In 1976 this engine was re-designated Engine 17.

Meshanticut Engine 17
A 1955 Ford purchased from the Roslyn Highlands, NY Fire Dept. in 1973.

In 1986/87, Engine 7, the 1976 blue Hann, was involved in a collision with a dump truck at the intersection of Oaklawn Ave. and Dean Parkway, while responding to an alarm. This was the same location that an earlier Engine 7 had been struck while responding to an alarm.

The accident involving a collision with a dump truck at Oaklawn Ave. and Dean Pkwy.

Damage from the accident.

The Hann was sent out for needed repairs and updating. In the meantime, the department utilized an American LaFrance pumper which had belonged to the Washington Fire Company and designated it Engine 17. When the Hann returned to service, Engine 17 was sold to a private collector in Massachusetts, and it’s present location is unknown.

Meshanticut Fire Company
Reserve Engine 17

Meshanticut Engine 17.

Engine 7 at an apartment house fire at the corner of Atwood Ave. and Plainfield Pike – late 1980s.

L to R: Todd Crocker, David Rave, Paul Lamoureaux, Rick Cavalloro, Clifford George – Circa 1985

Standing, L to R: Armond Leoni, Robert Gillespie, Mike Rekrut, Matt Manni, Tim Kelly, Lt. Ray Antonelli, President Jack Simmons.

Sitting, L to R: Capt. Tom Saccocia, Chief Bob McAllister, Dep. Chief Paul Lamoureux.

When the Meshanticut Park VFC disbanded in 1995, Engine 7 was sold to the Community VFD in North Grosvenor, Conn. It was later purchased by the Cranston Volunteer Firefighters Museum and restored back to its original markings.

Fire Stations

First Meshanticut Fire Station
Photo taken sometime after June 1955

Meshanticut Park Fire Station
2125 Cranston Street.
The bell is on display at the Cranston Volunteer Firefighters Museum.

Meshanticut Fire Station in 1980s.
495 Phenix Avenue.

Company Insignia

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Badge with wording
“Meshanticut Park Fire Co.”

A first Issue Meshanticut Park VFD patch circa late 1940s’ early 50s. Click to enlarge picture to see how different the stitching is compared to a “newer” patch below.

Company patch worn during 1980s and 90s.

Company patch worn on turnout gear – late 1980s.

Meshanticut VFC Trainee Helmet – circa 1980s

Personal Vehicle Emblems

These cast aluminum emblems were placed on members personal vehicles to identify the vehicle’s owner as a volunteer firefighter. Sometimes members responded directly to a fire scene in their personnel vehicles.