One of the four major issues, which brought about the set—off between Old Orchard and Saco, was the lack of a suitable fire department.
     Many of the large, wooden-framed hotels were tinderboxes, which the fire department could not protect with the $800 Chemical Extinguisher, bought in 1868. When four of these hotels burned in 1875, causing $100,000 damage, both the Saco Fire Chief and Mayor recommended more equipment and efficiency. The City Council blocked any action. The following year, 1876, another hotel fire, loss of $16,000 caused the Branch Company to disband. Property holders found it more and more difficult to buy insurance (insurance company and/or rates). November 10, 1881, fire again destroyed six hotels end dozen of other buildings — $150,000 loss.
     The following summer, while an order to buy a fifth-class rotary fire engine lay on the table, the resort experienced a further conflagration.
     Guests rushed from hotels in their nightclothes saving nothing but their lives. Despite this last catastrophe, Saco City Council ordered the Fire Department Committee to find a less expensive place to house the Old Orchard Extinguisher.  
     The original Town Charter, passed by the Maine Legislature, 1883, Section 3, states: "Said town to have power to raise money to purchase and maintain engine houses, reservoirs, and to organize and equip fire companies in connection there with".

The Steam Fire Engine "E.C. Staples". $2,800.00
1600’ of hose, J.W. Beatty $ Company   1,150.00
1 horse — J.R. Libby                     200.00
1 horse - F.G. Staples                   225.00
(Mr. Staples apparently being the better horse trader)

The above were the principal Items for the first year.

Total expenditures was $4,593.84

   Maintenance of the Department ran from a maximum of $251.43 to R. Emmons for care of the team, to a minimum of $1.20 to the Boston and Maine Railroad freight on coal ($50.13). Total cost $809.43
      First Chief Engineer was Parker Harley, whose first report to the Town was: "The engine, E.C. Staples is in good condition; we have 1,550 feet fabric hose In good condition, 150’ of hose was damaged by vitra spilled on the floor from the old chemical engine, 100’ have been repaired, 50’ discarded.
     Three fires the first year, on a false alarm. One on Union Avenue, the engine couldn’t be used because there was no water, the spring nearest the Union Avenue being very low.
     The Fire Department was housed in the stables of the Atlantic Lodge I.O.F.F. on Old Orchard Street. The stable rent the first few years was $50. The Police Department was located in the same building.
     1885 found the Department $1,000 In debt. Frank Staples (Town Auditor), recommended $1,000 be appropriated for the year, plus $100 for reservoirs also an additional $1,000 to wipe out the debt. A contrary minded citizenry appropriated $400 and voted to "rent out" the team for use In various department:

Highway. . . . 542.75
Sidewalks . .   78.00
Sewer. . . . .  11. 37
Reservoir. . .  26.00
                                 $ 658.12

     This might have balanced the budget but an extra 500’ of hose for a Cart and Hose Carriage (Portland, second hand) made an offer of $644.50.
     This indebtedness was explained by Fire Chief Wesley G. in his report in 1885. "On taking charge of the Department, May 10,1884, I found it necessary to reorganize, which was immediately done, and ordinances provided for its proper government.
     Chief Smith soon realized his "modern and well conditioned" apparatus is more or less useless, due to the troublesome absence of water. He added this plea to the Town in his annual report.
I desire to call your attention to the fact that although at present a very good supply of water and system of reservoirs are available yet only two reservoirs are public property. In consideration of this fact I trust that at no distant day the Town in co—operation with interested citizens will take some action to induce the Biddeford and Saco Water Company to extend their works to Old Orchard.

Smith also recommended:

1. A reservoir in the vicinity of the Revere House
  (Look Out Hotel, now Swiss Colony Motel).
2. A reservoir in the vicinity of the Lawrence House
  (Seawall, West Grand Avenue).
3. An alarm bell in the belfry of the Methodist
   Church (There In the Camp Ground).

1884 - 1885 - 1886

     It would appear some dissatisfaction had occurred the first year the command of Parker Harley. He and eight of the regular members resigned or were released from duty. Chief Smith claimed he found the Department "deficient" and ends his annual report "and now having endeavored to faithfully perform my official duties to the Town, and served practically without recompense as agreed and having accomplished the object by placing the Department in an efficient condition, standing second to none with equal facilities. I deliver up my charge into your hands, hoping my successor may deem it prudent to adopt my suggestions, etc."
     Smith apparently didn’t "deliver—up" the Department to a successor, he continued to serve through 1886.
    Among the fires of note that year was the Central House, March 20^th 1884
    Observatory Building, April 10^th 1884.
          One reservoir was constructed on Grand Avenue, near the Cleaves House.
          The Department was having difficulty-keeping firemen. The members received $1.00 per month and the torch boys nothing. Most of the Firemen were not property owners and understandably had no great interest in keeping damage to a minimum.
          Somewhat discouraged, Mr. Smith resigned at the end of 1886, and the chief's job was filled briefly by Millard F. Porter. 1886—87 were troubled years politically. Mr. Porter had no report on file, even the Town Warrant contained but 29 tersely worded articles among them one "to see what action the Town will take to revise its by laws". Reports were signed by two of the three selectmen.
    That year (1887) the town first paid the Old Orchard Aqueduct Company water rent for engine room and stables $16.C0. 1888, Article 25, "To see if the town will vote to accept the water works as constructed by the Old Orchard Water Company, provided there is an ample supply water and pressure for, fire purposes".
       $1,000’was paid for hydrant rental, February 1, 1888, amount to purchase one year water but the water for the stables was obtained from the Aqueduct Company.
       In 1892, the first $100 was raised for alarm boxes.
       In 1893, a team was purchased from G.F. Jewett for $275. By now the rent of stables had gone up to $170 annually. James Kirkpatrick was driving the Town's team. Some of the firemen are more familiar to us:
1895: I. Mackey, Chief Engineer  $ 9.00
      C. Frank Maddox, Fireman     6.00
      Sargent Elack, Fireman       1.00
      J. H. KirkpatrIck            6.00
      George I. Walker
      Charles E. Bachelder
      Nelson S. Walker
      Ross R. Milliken
      Ernest M. Bellows
      Alvin G. Lyons
      William Blackden
      Joshua Berry
      Frank H. Libby
      Wylie Googins
      George A. Field
      William L. Libby Engineer, l895 $ 50.00
            With the loss of the Hotel Belmont $15,000, the Dresser House, Fields Store and damage to the Aldine House, things began to tighten up around the Fire Department. J. I. Mackey was appointed Chief, sometime in 1895.
     He reported: "The Department Is entirely destitute of ladders, depending entirely on good luck to find one in the vicinity of the fire and chances are 10—1 of its being serviceable if found.
           "We recommend making over the Hose Reel", they had, into a Hook and Ladder Truck, and the purchase of a hose wagon to use in place of the old reel, also the appointment of a special crew to be known a Hook and Ladder Company."
     The Hose Reel was made over as he wished, at a cost of about $100 and a Hook and Ladder Company formed:

MEMBERS:
V. A. Googins, Driver
George A. Fields, Fireman
Harry. Ricker, Fireman
Alonzo Smith
    
            1896, the Imperial Hotel, one of the Oldest landmarks and most successful of our hotels burned. The fire breaking out very early in morning had gained such headway; the firemen could do nothing to the progress of the flames, and could only save the surrounding buildings. Saco and Biddeford Fire Departments also gave aid.
     The firemen reported a desperate lack of hose, also axes, lanterns bars, etc. $21,000 fire damage that year.
     Mackey had his men construct their own ladders and pleaded with the Selectmen for an extension ladder, also a raise for his men to $18 per year,
     Hands with 300 feet of hose on each were placed in the Camp d and in Ocean Park.
            1898, Mackey asked to have the hydrant on Old Orchard Street (near the Post Office) (the Post Office being on the corner of Milliken and Orchard Streets) and the one on Grand Avenue, near the Sea Shore (Now taking in Palace Playland Arcade) - fitted with 5" connections for hooking the suction hose of the steamer. They had been 2" connect and of but little use except for hand hose. A Plea for more hose equipment. Pointed to enlargement of the Town.
           His requests were ignored and the town had cause to regret. On January 26th, the Day and Leavitt Block, corner of Old Orchard Street Railroad walk, burned. Again, starting in the very early morning, fire gained great headway and threatened other buildings. Saco & Biddeford both gave help.
           Second fire, May 18th 1898, Hotel St. Elms, high winds spread the flames to several cottages and the Lawrence Hotel. Biddeford and Saco again responded to a call for help. Two firemen, F. A. Whittier and Charles Carson were injured badly in a collision of the Hose Wagon and a Fire Cart.
            Third fire, Concord House on the Sea wall.
     Fourth fire, December 17, 1898, F. X. Cote and Mrs. Young’s cottage in the eastern end of town.
            1898, Now the urge to have a Town Hall became the talking point of the time.
     "It is good economy to own the house you live in" was a popular slogan and seemed to be one thing on which the town’s people agreed.
            A building sufficient to house:
1. An engine room and stable on the same floor.
2. A well arranged Jail.
3. Hall for town meetings.
4. Room for accommodations of town officers.
5. Public Library
            A Tenement for watchmen or janitor, who might act as driver of the team.
     Connected with such an establishment should be spacious sheds for town sleds and carts, sidewalk materials and other town property, which now lie about to be pilfered. It was estimated $5—7,000. The town was paying over $300 rent and storage fees annually with three-year lease to run.
     The Town was composed of 5000 pieces of real estate from lavish hotels to private family stables — 877 inhabitants. (Town Hall cost $10,000 end another $10,000 interest on bonds)
           1899—1900, were unhappy years for Chief Mackey, he argued long and bitterly with the Building Committee of the New Town Hall, calling them a closed committee, and publishing various letters of resentment at the shoddy treatment the Fire Department was receiving as to new quarters. His department was receiving much criticism, word of that reached the ears of the insurance Commissioners, resulting in an Insurance rise.
          At a special called Town Meeting, attended by a vote of 30, mostly non—property, tax payers, it was voted to build a town building with commodious rooms for the Fire Department. The Committee ignored all protests against their plans until another Town Meeting by unanimous vote directed them to submit all plans to the Board of Selectmen, for their  approval; also they were directed to confer with Chief Mackey, in regard to space allotted for fire use. On one attempted conference, the committee told him they wouldn’t change their plans, "if the whole (adj.) department requested it." His wants seemed very modest: 15’ of front space for each machine: Steamer, 2 Hose Wagons 2 Ladder Trucks, and 40’ depth.
     The architect (Chickering & Connell - $148.33) had planned to put a ladder truck, hose wagon, engine, horse stable, all in a 20"x48’ room, with no hay loft, to lead the horses out past the apparatus everyday for their work, which meant pulling out one piece of equipment to get them out. Both sides visited firehouses In Biddeford, Saco and Portland, but no satisfactory agreement was reached. The Department was confined to what is now the first two doors of the department (presently houses the rescue units), other stalls were added in .1930.
     A stable was added to the side with a rear entrance. When the stalls were put on, the stable was moved down beside where the Canal Bank is now.
           Chief Mackey a colorful and hard working chief tended his resignation to be succeeded by Ross Milliken. The equipment was moved into its new quarters on May 1900. (Town Hall built on the site of the Old Imperial Hotel, formerly the Ocean House).
E. C. STAPLES FIRE DEPARTMENT

FIRST ROSTER
PARKER C. HARLEY, CHIEF ENGINEER
A. V. ORDWAY, FIRST ASSISTANT ENGINEER
M. ANDERSON, ENGINEER
F. S. EMERY, FIREMAN
V. CAMERON, FOREMAN HOSE COMPANY
JOHN NORTON, FIRST PIPEMAN
L. J. DWYER, SECOND PIPEMAN
C. W. NORTON, SUCTION HOSE MAN

HOSEMEN:
V. LIBBY
EDWIN H. WILSON
A.  H. PHILLIPS
A.  G. V. HOLMAN
SEWELL HANCOCK

TORCH BOYS:
ROLAND LANE
CHARLES E. VOTER

FIRE CHIEF from 1911 to 1957.
THEODORE MINGO: Member of the Fire Department since 1904, torch boy. He came to Old Orchard from New Hampshire in 1902.
         He joined under the administration of Jay Kirkpatrick. Became a call member, October 2, 1906 and served in this capacity until 1917, when he was elected Chief Engineer. He held that office, which for many years was an annual elective one, against a11 opposition.