In 1952, an apple barn fire caused great damage on Long Reach. Despite the best efforts of many people, it was obvious that the tools and organization required to battle such a blaze were not available. The community responded by purchasing a portable pump along with a few lengths of second hand hose. The pump arrived at Westfield Railroad Station with a $5.00 outstanding balance due COD. The members did a quick round of residences, passing the hat to obtain our first piece of equipment The equipment was kept in various places in the Long Reach area; it was a simple start for what would become the Long Reach Fire Department. The first big test for the new equipment was to extinguish a fire that threatened Fred Long's house. Ray Redmore, one of the original members of the department said it worked well, as it shot a stream of water right over the roof of the house, however, when Russell White, another founding member, used the pump on another occasion he "Blew the hell out of it", according to Ray. In 1972, the department expanded with the community's purchase of a 1959 GMC forestry truck. This first response vehicle carried 800
gallons of water and was a step up from the portable pump. However, with nowhere to store the truck in cold weather it had to be drained after Halloween, and remain empty until spring. A solution was found in 1981 when a steel 30 x 30 Quonset type building was purchased and erected by the department volunteers. The land for the building was donated by George and Hazel Reid. This became the first Long Reach fire hall, providing a year-round home for the truck and equipment. In 1984 the department's growing needs required the purchase of another truck; a 1979 dodge 3/4 ton was bought and the volunteers equipped it with a 250 gal tank and a portable pump. In 1987 the forestry truck was replaced with a 1987 GMC 7000 from MetalFab with a 1350 gallon tank and a 375 GPM pump - a big step forward for a department with growing responsibilities. In 1991, with its full complement of emergency vehicles, equipment and large group of volunteers, Long Reach needed a "real" firehall - one that could accommodate their needs. Again, volunteers and the community joined together, designing and building a 40’ x 90’ fire station, with 3 bays, a training room, office, kitchen, and bathrooms. In 1992 the Dodge half-ton was refurbished; volunteers lengthened the frame, changed the rear end to dual wheel, and added an aluminum cabinet type body. That same year a 1985 Ford with a Detroit Diesel engine was purchased; Bronwyn Crandall, a local artist painted huge images of the cartoon characters "Tasmanian Devil" and "Yosemite Sam" on the sides of the tanker, making it a big hit with children at parades and at fire prevention sessions at local schools
In 2004, we retired our cartoon tanker, and replaced it with a 2003 Stirling which carries as 1200 gallon tank and a 1050 GPM pump.We also were donated a Ford van which had formerly been used as an ambulance to use as a command centre and utility vehicle. In 2009, Chief Bud White retired after 45 years at the post. He continues to serve as a firefighter on the department, recently receiving an Exemplary Service medal for 55 years of service. who commands a registar of 18 volunteers covering approximately 40 miles from the Westfield ferry to Kingston. At the end of 2010, our 1987 GMC pumper/tanker from MetalFab was decommissioned and replaced with a 2009 Freightliner. This truck is essentially the mate to the 2003 Sterling.
