The New Ipswich Fire Department traces its roots back to 1833, when a group of 45 men pledged $207 to purchase the town’s first fire equipment.
The first hand pumper, a Holland and Spooner called the Southern Hero 3, was housed in what is today known as Smithville village and was captained by Harry Batchelder. Two other pumpers covered different parts of town — the Tiger 1 in the center of town, and the Water Witch in Bank Village.
With the rise of motor vehicles, Fire Chief Albro Balch requested a town warrant in 1926 to consider purchasing motorized fire equipment. The following year, voters approved $4,000 for the town’s first fire truck.
After the purchase, the old hand pumpers were retired and stored in Smithville. In 1928, voters agreed to disband the three separate village fire companies and reorganize into a single, townwide fire department based in the center of town — a move made possible by the new motorized truck’s ability to serve all areas of New Ipswich.