History

The Meadowood County Area Fire Department was created by Donald Holbrook in 1953, when he realized the need for specialized fire equipment and training in the southern cheshire county area. But Holbrook's fire career didn't begin then. In World War 1, Donald Holbrook was a young lieutenant in the United States Navy, stationed in

San Diego, California. Holbrook experienced his first fire on a naval cruiser ship when some wooden boxes of sulfur spontaneously ignited. He, along with others battled the fire and from there he was sold.

After Holbrok's active military service ended, he moved to metro Boston and began a career in the trust business. At the same time, Holbrook attended the Boston Fire Department's Fireman Training Center. He then joined the Newton, MA Fire Department as a civilian aide to the chief, where he served for 15 years.

In 1942, Holbrook built a house and farm in the small town of Fitzwilliam, NH in an area he called Meadowood. He then continued to work for the military, working at an aircraft production center. It was a decade later that forest fire threatened the Meadowood farm. Holbrook recognized the need for firefighting equipment in that end of town. He soon converted his small barn to a firehouse and purchased two pieces of apparatus; a 1926 Seagrave Pumper and a 4x4 Jeep. He also begin to recruit personnel. From here, he established the Meadowood County Area Fire Department, providing fire mutual aid to the surrounding area.


From here, Holbrook established three parts to the Meadowod County Area Fire Department;

Specialized Equipment
Holbrook thought the area could benefit from having 'specialized' fire equipment, rather than to just have more pumpers, like every other department. MCAFD was the first department in the area to have a tanker truck, equiped with more water on the truck than most pumper trucks for rural applications. MCAFD was also one of the first departments in the area to have a rescue truck, with equipment for vehicle, water and other rescue situations, as well as having the first ladder truck in the area. Today, MCAFD still has one of the only tower ladder trucks in the area, as well as one of the only heavy rescues in the area. A 3000 gallon tanker completes the fleet.

Fire Training School

At the time, fire training was far and few between. Holbrook saw the need for 'specialized' and local fire training, available to area firefighters. Coordinating with fire instructors, MCAFD began to put on a bi-annual fire training school for area firefighters, in the spring and fall. The Fire School soon grew and attracted firefighters from farther and farther away. MCAFD Fire School offered such classes as Ladders, Hose Streams and Operations, LP Gas Fires, and Pump Operations. MCAFD Fire Training also had a burn building, capable of having 'Class A' combustable fires

inside. Made possible by grants from the State of NH, MCAFD constucted a smoke house for Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) training and a pump house, supplying area hydrants. The MCAFD Fire Training School would serve up to 2000 students a year.

Fire Research Bureau
When Holbrook served in the Newton, MA Fire Department, he was able to establish relationships with personnel inside the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in Quincy, MA. With an interest in specialized fire equipment, Holbrook obtained the ability to test out new fire equipment at MCAFD and report back to the NFPA on the use and effectiveness. Holbrook also took trips to different areas of the country and studied new fire equipment. One piece of new equipment studied by MCAFD was large diameter hose. MCAFD studied hose 3" and 4" sized, for purpose of water supply between pumpers. After tests concluded, MCAFD was second fire department in the country (behind Brooklyn, Conn.) to put large diameter hose into use.

Holbrook also came up with new fire equipment such as the 'Holbrook Alarm.' This device would set off an alarm when a rise in heat was detected. First used in residential homes and businesses, it was soon made into a personal device. This essentially was the first PASS alarm for firefighters. Holbrook was also credited with creating a helmet with an integrated radio inside. This at the time was very technologically advanced, as radios at this time were the size of purses. Holbrook was also credited with creating the 'Holbrook Flame,' giving Chief officers recognition and identification on their Class A uniforms. This flame is located on the visor of Class A uniform hats, and is used in fire departments across the country.



The Meadowood County Area Fire Department today is still running strong, offering specialized fire/rescue/EMS response and fire training to firefighters from all around. The teaching and traditions of Donald Holbrook still live strong today.

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