The next installment of The Maguda collection will feature The Snipsic Hook & Ladder Company.
This company was where Chief Donald Maguda started his career with the Rockville Fire Department in the year 1954. Chief Maguda’s son, Captain David Maguda ,who graciously donated this extensive historical collection to The Town of Vernon Fire Department, was also a member of this company. He followed in his father’s and family’s legacy, serving 42 years retiring as Company Captain of Truck 541 in 2020 respectively, 35 of the years served as an officer.
Let’s begin. The City of Rockville grew in the early 1900’s during The Industrial Revolution. In an ever changing and progressive community, the need for the fire department to adapt was always present. The City of Rockville was made up of large multi-story factories, homes large and small, and businesses that were owned by members of the community that served their area. As buildings grew in size and occupancy, a need to establish a designated hook and ladder company by The Rockville Fire Dept. was recognized to rescue citizens, reach extreme heights, and for proper ventilation of buildings at increasing alarms of fire.
This need was met when in 1913, The City of Rockville Fire Dept. purchased a horse -drawn ladder truck with an aggressive compliment of ladders for city service. Historical documentation found in this collection states the Snipsic Hook & Ladder Company, upon its inception, was temporarily quartered at The
Dobosz farm. The Dobosz farm currently encompasses the area of Grove and White St. and the newly acquired apparatus was stored in a barn on the property. The Dobosz farm was a working farm and had cows and horses and everything in between. The horses on the farm were used to pull the Snipsic Hook & Ladder Company to alarms of fire until the Fitton Hose Company, was opened at 5 Prospect St. in 1913, after their previous quarters had burned in 1910, destroying all property and apparatus.
The newly formed ladder company moved into their new quarters with a hitch of horses and a station designed for their needs.
The City of Rockville Fire Dept. in 1923 would see the last of the horse- drawn apparatus retired.
The horse- drawn ladder truck was replaced with a 1923, Maxim Motors Ladder Truck of Middleboro MA. That would remain in service till 1956. The Snipsic Hook & Ladder Company would occupy these quarters up until July 25, 1994, when Snipsic Hook & Ladder, Truck 541, operating a 1978 Maxim 100ft. Straight stick aerial, responded to an alarm of fire at the former Saxony Mill (aka "Plastifoam Co.") on West St. The 1978 Maxim aerial was damaged by the radiant heat of the fire beyond repair, while protecting the area.
The Snipsic Hook & Ladder Company would be relocated to The Chief John F. Ashe Fire Station in 1994, on Nye St,. due to the larger E-One 95ft. rear mount Tower Ladder being purchased which replaced the previous Maxim.
The company has remained here since, and with the same spirit, mission, and inspiration of the members to honor and continue its legacy. I have had the pleasure to work with members of this company who keep the spirit of the company alive and perform the duties of the job with pride. Please enjoy the pictures attached of The Snipsic Hook & Ladder Company in action.
