History of the Joseph Berberick Hose Company, Inc.

The origins of our fire department trace back to around 1928 when the Cedarville Fire Department was established and led by Joseph Berberick. Initially known as the Litchfield-Columbia Fire Department, it underwent a name change in February 1940 to honor the late Fire Chief Joseph Berberick, becoming the Joseph Berberick Hose Company. This organization was officially incorporated in 1952.

Around 1940, the Columbia-Litchfield Fire District was created to serve the Towns of Columbia and Litchfield. In 1977, the district expanded to include the Chepachet Fire Protection District, a portion of the Town of Winfield. Today, the Columbia-Litchfield District remains the legal authority governing our department’s membership, equipment, and operations, including firefighting, training, and equipment maintenance.

The Joseph Berberick Hose Company owns and maintains the building and land, managing its upkeep and overseeing membership regarding social functions, fundraising, and the day-to-day operations of the building.

Our First Equipment

Our first piece of firefighting equipment was a two-wheeled handcart equipped with a 20-gallon chemical tank and 100 feet of hose. The department’s first motorized fire truck was a 1921 Nash Touring car, modified to include a chemical tank and a small bell. This same bell is now mounted on the Fireman’s Memorial Monument in the Cedarville Cemetery and is rung for each deceased member during the annual Memorial Day service.

Ambulance Services

In the early 1950s, we began providing ambulance services with a 1937 LaSalle ambulance. Eventually, the ambulance service became a separate entity and was incorporated as Cedarville Ambulance Inc.

Our Facilities

In 1939, the Universalist Church Society generously donated “Smith’s Hall” and the land it stood on to the Litchfield and Columbia Fire Department. A painting of this building proudly hangs in our meeting room.

Our original Fire Hall was torn down in 1983, and a new four-door truck bay was constructed on the same location, which is our present truck bay. The kitchen and meeting room were preserved during this construction. In 1990, we further expanded our facilities, adding a new kitchen, office, and storage space on each side of the current meeting room.

Today

The Joseph Berberick Hose Company continues to serve the community with dedication and pride, honoring our rich history while adapting to the needs of modern firefighting and emergency response. Our commitment to the safety and well-being of our community remains steadfast, as we carry forward the legacy of our founding members.