The Franklin Firefighters Museum was a dream of a number of current and past members and it took a number of years and a lot of hard work but the end result turned into a museum that we can all be proud of.  The Franklin Firemen’s Relief Association had been in existence since 1924 and was initially established to provide benefits for the members and their families if they were to become injured, disabled or worse.  With the advent of Workman’s Compensation legislation the need for the Association dwindled and with a large amount of “antique equipment” occupying greater and greater portions of our current station, a proposed solution was to funnel the Association’s energies and resources into a worthwhile project.  The one chosen would be to provide a safe and permanent home for our antiques to be displayed and our history to be told to future generations.   In 1987 the museum was completed with the dedication and hard work of many but no more than Captain Edmund Sawicki who was there at every step.  There are no scheduled hours that the museum is open but the on-duty staff will try to accommodate any reasonable request to view a part of Franklin’s historical past. Just stop in for a visit.

			Franklin Firefighters Museum

Early in 1987 the Fire Department Museum was opened.  Plans included a parade of antique apparatus, ribbon cutting ceremony, barbeque and display and demonstrations of apparatus.

The parade of antique fire equipment included units from sixteen communities, one of which was a working steamer.

The ribbon cutting was carried out by Association President Edmund Sawicki.  Captain Sawicki had done more than any other individual to see the completion of the museum.  A souvenir booklet issued on the occasion was dedicated to him.  The article read in part, “We wish to acknowledge the dedication and perseverance of Captain Edmund Sawicki, a 34 year member of Franklin Hook and Ladder Company.  He is a firefighter who still believes in volunteering.  Captain Sawicki was more instrumental than any other Firefighter in the planning and construction of the Franklin Firefighter’s Museum, donating a great many hours of his personal time.  The museum is a reality today, because of his zeal and devotion to an idea, an idea he nurtured form its conception to its completion.

On behalf of the Association and the City of Franklin, We thank you Captain Sawicki.”