Old Engine 77 Is Ready to Go
By Craig Fox
[email protected]
August 10, 2023

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2023 Jefferson County Fair Parade
2023 Shamrock Fun Run/Walk
Four TWFD members participated in this year's annual Shamrock Fun Run/Walk: Jeremy Powell, Bill Bamann, Sereenah George, and Josh Wilcox. (Thanks to Josh for providing the pictures.)
City of Watertown Annual Christmas Parade
December 2, 2022
(Thanks to Jeremy Powell and Deb Reid for providing the pictures.)
October 29, 2022 MAN VS. MACHINE Training
Provided by Take the Door
(Thanks to Josh Wilcox for providing the photos...)
August 28, 2022
Airbag Training - Provided by
Assistant Chief Jason Lee
September 10, 2022 Central New York Stair Climb
TWFD was well represented at the 2022 Central New York Stair Climb with Sereenah George, Deb Reid, Michael Van Brocklin, and Josh Wilcox participating!
September 11, 2022 Thompson Park Stair Climb
August 24, 2022 Bailout Training at Station 3
All interior qualified firefighters are required to have their annual bailout training. (Thanks to Jeremy Powell for the pictures.)
Lightning strikes Town of Watertown Garage, sparks fire on August 21, 2022
TOWN OF WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - As parts of the North Country saw storms early Sunday morning, a garage was struck by lightning and caught fire.
Fire officials say lightning struck a garage at 17733 County Route 65 in the Town of Watertown around 9:30 AM. Nobody was in the garage at the time...
Fire officials say lightning struck a garage at 17733 County Route 65 in the Town of Watertown around 9:30 AM. Nobody was in the garage at the time...
https://www.wwnytv.com/2022/08/21/lightning-strikes-town-watertown-garage-sparks-fire/
Two TWFD Firefighters Join Watertown City FD
WATERTOWN — The city’s newest firefighters began their long career path together when they were still boys.
Pat Vincent joined the town of Watertown’s department as a volunteer firefighter when he was a senior in high school, while then 12-year-old Josh Wilcox hung out at the fire station with his firefighter dad.
And now they’re members of the city’s fire department after making a lateral move from Oswego in what is believed to be the first time that city firefighters switched jobs from another department...
Pat Vincent joined the town of Watertown’s department as a volunteer firefighter when he was a senior in high school, while then 12-year-old Josh Wilcox hung out at the fire station with his firefighter dad.
And now they’re members of the city’s fire department after making a lateral move from Oswego in what is believed to be the first time that city firefighters switched jobs from another department...
https://www.nny360.com/communitynews/achievers/watertown-s-newest-firefighters-grew-up-together/article_389b1c5d-2b86-5e8d-b185-acb1119baf2c.html
9/11/21 Stair Climb at Thompson Park
Several members from TWFD joined other firefighters from the area to remember and honor the 343 FDNY Members who paid the ultimate price on September 11, 2001 in New York City...
TWFD Training - April 28, 2021
April 28th training consisted of triple layer loads, 7-1 and 7-2's pumps (led by Wayne Scott, Sr.), and bailout.
Black Helmets Awarded
January 20, 2021
Congratulations to our newest Interior Firefighters! These 5 individuals have completed many hours in the classroom, as well as many hours of hands-on training to receive their BLACK HELMETS. Congratulations (from left to right) FF Josh Buskey, FF Will Ryan, FF Zach Yauchler, FF Sereenah George, and FF Michael Van Brocklin.
John W. Cobb Memorial Bowling Tournament
John W. Cobb was a 46 year member of the Adams Fire Department and a Life Member at the Belleville Fire Department. He also served as a Deputy Fire Coordinator for Jefferson County for 30 years, as well as a County Fire Investigator. In John’s memory there is an annual Memorial Bowling Tournament, typically held in the spring, but due to COVID-19 it was held on Saturday, November 14, 2020.
TWFD defended the title and maintained the trophy.
TWFD defended the title and maintained the trophy.
September 11, 2020 – CNY Virtual Stair Climb at Thompson Park
Three members of TWFD participated in the virtual stair climb – Sereenah George, Michael Van Brocklin, and Deb Rieger.
2020 Recognition Dinner - Honoring 2019 Recipients
2019 Rookie of the Year - Michael Van Brocklin
2019 Firefighter of the Year - Fred Sourwine
2019 Top Responders of the Year
2019 Junior Firefighters
Sereenah George Awarded FASNY Scholarship
GERARD J. BUCKENMEYER FASNY VOLUNTEER SCHOLARSHIP for 2020
The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York will award 25 $1,500 scholarships to high school seniors entering college.
The Gerard J. Buckenmeyer FASNY Volunteer Scholarship program is made possible each June through the generous donations of individuals, fire departments and auxiliaries. The awards recognize exemplary members of the youth fire service who also contribute to their communities.
Congratulations Sereenah!
The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York will award 25 $1,500 scholarships to high school seniors entering college.
The Gerard J. Buckenmeyer FASNY Volunteer Scholarship program is made possible each June through the generous donations of individuals, fire departments and auxiliaries. The awards recognize exemplary members of the youth fire service who also contribute to their communities.
Congratulations Sereenah!
June 10, 2020 Training
Hand Lines, Pumping and New Jaws Training
June 5, 2020 Structure Fire
At 10:31 AM on June 5, 2020 the Town of Watertown Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire on US Route 11. 46-0-1 (Chief Johnston) was first to arrive with smoke showing from the basement. Shortly after 46-4-1 arrived and stretched a handline, quickly extinguishing the fire. The fire was contained to the room of origin. Thank you to all of our mutual aid companies that assisted on the scene - Adams Center, Sackets Harbor and the City of Watertown. Also thanks to the Town of Watertown Ambulance Service, the Jefferson County Fire Coordinator’s office and the County Dispatchers who assisted. It is all appreciated!
Engine 77 Progress
May 9, 2021
From Watertown Daily Times - May 10, 2021
WATERTOWN — Fifty-four years ago, Robert J. Johnston learned how to work on a pumper truck that was the first piece of equipment that the Watertown Town Fire Department ever owned.
That same 1952 truck — old Engine 77 — is back where it belongs, sitting in the department’s Fire Station and back from a refurbishment project that started six years ago.
“It came back looking pretty good for being 69 years old and almost as old as I am,” said the 73-year-old firefighter.
For the past two years, the fire truck was up in the town of Louisville in St. Lawrence County, where it went through an extensive bodywork and paint job that got it looking like it did when Mr. Johnston was a 15-year-old firefighter trainee.
Old Engine 77, with an eight-cylinder, gas-driven Lincoln engine, was towed back to the fire station last Monday night.
For years, it was a bit of a mystery what happened to the beloved pumper, in service for about 20 years, after it was taken off the road during the early 1970s.
For about a dozen years or so, the pumper sat on Brian J. Kehoe’s family farm in Sandy Creek, where it was used to irrigate his strawberries for a few years until the truck went out to pasture after the farm was turned into the Christmas tree-growing business.
The project, funded by donations, was a labor of love for the members of the department.
They worked on the basics of restoring the apparatus before deciding that it needed some extra attention. When it went up to St. Lawrence County two years ago, the pumper’s bright red color was faded and predominantly rusted.
But Mr. Shirley, who does auto restoration work as a hobby in his garage, removed the truck’s cab, motor, back and fenders and it was just down to its frame so he could do his magic. He was recommended by a local group of antique fire apparatus enthusiasts.
“He put some tremendous work into it,” said John M. Falge, a member of the department for the past 29 years. “It’s all new.”
He and Mr. Johnston were put in charge of the restoration project as co-chairs of the department’s truck committee. Both are still members of the department.
Mr. Johnston remembers the days, decades ago, when old Engine 77 helped him become a firefighter. He did a lot of training on it, he recalled.
Some log books were found in the truck’s glove compartment when it was returned home the first time. And it contained an entry showing Mr. Johnston going on a fire call so many decades ago. He doesn’t remember that fire.
“I went on thousands of calls,” he said.
Last week, Mr. Falge got into the truck and turned the ignition. The truck’s engine purred as it was moved out of the fire station to show it off.
Now it’s finished, the engine, which has logged about 14,900 miles, will be showcased in parades, to show off to recruits and during other events.
WATERTOWN — Fifty-four years ago, Robert J. Johnston learned how to work on a pumper truck that was the first piece of equipment that the Watertown Town Fire Department ever owned.
That same 1952 truck — old Engine 77 — is back where it belongs, sitting in the department’s Fire Station and back from a refurbishment project that started six years ago.
“It came back looking pretty good for being 69 years old and almost as old as I am,” said the 73-year-old firefighter.
For the past two years, the fire truck was up in the town of Louisville in St. Lawrence County, where it went through an extensive bodywork and paint job that got it looking like it did when Mr. Johnston was a 15-year-old firefighter trainee.
Old Engine 77, with an eight-cylinder, gas-driven Lincoln engine, was towed back to the fire station last Monday night.
For years, it was a bit of a mystery what happened to the beloved pumper, in service for about 20 years, after it was taken off the road during the early 1970s.
For about a dozen years or so, the pumper sat on Brian J. Kehoe’s family farm in Sandy Creek, where it was used to irrigate his strawberries for a few years until the truck went out to pasture after the farm was turned into the Christmas tree-growing business.
The project, funded by donations, was a labor of love for the members of the department.
They worked on the basics of restoring the apparatus before deciding that it needed some extra attention. When it went up to St. Lawrence County two years ago, the pumper’s bright red color was faded and predominantly rusted.
But Mr. Shirley, who does auto restoration work as a hobby in his garage, removed the truck’s cab, motor, back and fenders and it was just down to its frame so he could do his magic. He was recommended by a local group of antique fire apparatus enthusiasts.
“He put some tremendous work into it,” said John M. Falge, a member of the department for the past 29 years. “It’s all new.”
He and Mr. Johnston were put in charge of the restoration project as co-chairs of the department’s truck committee. Both are still members of the department.
Mr. Johnston remembers the days, decades ago, when old Engine 77 helped him become a firefighter. He did a lot of training on it, he recalled.
Some log books were found in the truck’s glove compartment when it was returned home the first time. And it contained an entry showing Mr. Johnston going on a fire call so many decades ago. He doesn’t remember that fire.
“I went on thousands of calls,” he said.
Last week, Mr. Falge got into the truck and turned the ignition. The truck’s engine purred as it was moved out of the fire station to show it off.
Now it’s finished, the engine, which has logged about 14,900 miles, will be showcased in parades, to show off to recruits and during other events.
April 17, 2021
April 5, 2021
November 12, 2020
October 10, 2020 Update
September 14, 2020 Update
August 31, 2020 Update
August 5, 2020 Update
June 27, 2020 Update
June 1, 2020 Update...
May 14, 2020 Update...
March 30, 2020 Update..
February 12, 2020 update...
December 8, 2019 update...
December 4, 2019 update...
Mutual Aid to Brownville
March 18, 2020
At 11:37 am Town of Watertown Fire Department was dispatched to Town of Brownville Fire District (16188 County Route 59) for a working structure fire. 46-4-2, 46-7-2, 46-0-2, and 46-0-4 responded to the scene. Great work by all companies on scene.
February 19, 2020
JCC Training - Simulator
TWFD held their weekly training at Jefferson Community College, where we practiced vehicle placement at MVAs, vehicle fires, and four different structure fires (single family dwelling, multiple apartment high rise, connected town houses, assisted living facility) - similar to what we would experience at a fire in our district. (Thanks to Josh Wilcox and Leon VanWie for the photos.)
February 15, 2020 - 22904 Swan Road
Vehicle Fire
At 23:08 on February 15, 2020 TWFD was dispatched to 22904 Swan Road in Watertown for a reported vehicle on fire at a residence across from the prison, 20 feet from a residence. Reports stated that the vehicle was fully engulfed. High winds pushed the flames towards the building. 6-0-2, 46-0-4, 46-1-1 and 46-5-2 responded to the fire. The fire was extinguished without any damage to the structure. Thanks to Josh Wilcox for providing these photos...
January 26, 2020 - County Rte. 63
Car Fire
On January 26, 2020 at 10:39 the Town of Watertown Fire Department was dispatched to a vehicle fire on County Rte 63. 46-1-1 (Captain Sourwine) was first to arrive and reported a working vehicle fire. Members off of 46-1-1 were able to quickly extinguish the fire. 46-0-4 (3rd Assistant Chief Lee) held command of the scene. Other units that assisted on the scene: 46-4-2, 46-4-3, and 46-7-2.
January 22, 2020 Lowe's Fire
At 12:23 PM on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 the Town of Watertown Fire Department was dispatched to Lowe's for a reported structure fire. 46-0-2 arrived first on scene and reported a working compactor fire. The fire was quickly extinguished by other arriving companies. TWFD received mutual aid from the Sackets Harbor Fire Department, and the Town of Brownville Fire Department.
January 9, 2020 Fire
November 15, 2019 Fire
Firefighters extinguish early morning blaze in Town of Watertown
Firefighters from several departments quickly extinguished a fire on Hunt Street in the Town of Watertown Friday morning. The fire was just over the line that divides the town and city. The fire destroyed a shed at 20976 Hunt Street, which was next to a home. One side of the home sustained damage as well. Chickens and lawnmowers were lost in the fire, which was reported just before 5 AM. Firefighters from the town and city of Watertown, Rutland and Adams Center were all called to the scene. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
WWNY-TV 7 FOX 28
Firefighters from several departments quickly extinguished a fire on Hunt Street in the Town of Watertown Friday morning. The fire was just over the line that divides the town and city. The fire destroyed a shed at 20976 Hunt Street, which was next to a home. One side of the home sustained damage as well. Chickens and lawnmowers were lost in the fire, which was reported just before 5 AM. Firefighters from the town and city of Watertown, Rutland and Adams Center were all called to the scene. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
WWNY-TV 7 FOX 28
https://www.wwnytv.com/2019/11/15/firefighters-extinguish-early-morning-blaze-town-watertown/
November 13, 2019 Training
"FF Down - CPR"
October 30, 2019 Training
Hurst Battery Operated Tools
2019 Recruit NY
On Saturday, April 27 TWFD held an Open House at Station 1, as part of FASNY's Recruit NY.
On Sunday April 28, we participated in a Child Car Seat Safety Day at Target and handed out 15 applications to perspective new members.
On Sunday April 28, we participated in a Child Car Seat Safety Day at Target and handed out 15 applications to perspective new members.
March 20, 2019
Forcible Entry Training
On March 20th TWFD participated with Adams Center and Rutland Fire Departments for Forcible Entry Training...
September 2018 Res-Q-Jack
Training
At Greek Peak Mountain Resort
Gary Sweet, Fred Sourwine and Riley Clark from TWFD attended. (Thanks to Gary Sweet for sharing this video and photo)
February 14, 2018
Res-Q-Jack Training
Presented by Angel McCroy (Foreman)
TWFD Participates in the 2018 Christmas Parade
On December 1, 2018 the Town of Watertown Fire Department participated in the annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting in Watertown. Thanks for all who participated to share the joy of the season. A special thanks to Howard Rieger for organizing the detail.
TWFD Time Travel
(Thanks to David Clement for providing the pictures) Tanker picture; Ray Churchill (right), not sure suit and tie, Frank Scales (front), not sure next 3, Harold Mustizer (back), Sandy Hartman (front), not sure (back), Francis Myers (front), not sure (back), Wes Alcombrack (front), Carl Malady? (back), Joe Pierson? (front).
Rescue 88 truck was a County owned rescue kept and responded from TWFD station; only one I know is Bob Barker, front by the exhaust fan.
September 8, 2017 Central New York Stair Climb
TWFD sponsored a floor on the memorial stair climb. Howard Rieger, Pat Vincent and Josh Wilcox represented TWFD in the climb. Howard climbed in memory of Michael Healey, Pat climbed in memory of Kevin Pfeifer, and Josh climbed in memory of Gregg Arthur Atlas.
2017 Annual Banquet Photos
Trooper Joel Davis Returns to Watertown
Thanks for firefighter Angel McCroy for providing these pictures.
TWFD Remembers Chief Richard Madill
December 25, 1942 - April 30, 2017
Thanks to Peter R. Barber for providing these pictures.