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01/06/81

09/18/90

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Line of Duty Deaths

The following pages could never do justice to the individuals that are named within.  Each one of these four members paid the ultimate sacrifice with their life trying to ensure the community’s safety from the perils of fire.  The impact of their loss is most felt by their family as they have lost a son, brother, father, or uncle.  It shall be known that as an organization we are indebted to ensuring that their sacrifices are not forgotten and that we stay vigilant in learning from these and other line of duty deaths.  Our ongoing tribute in honor of these fine members is for our organization to secure the required discipline to ensure that this will never occur again in our department.

Fireman Peter Savoie – 1923 

At 3:30 am on February 13, 1923, the City was awakened by the fire alarm sounding box 14 for a fire in the buildings of the New Hampshire Orphans Home.

Snow was falling and the road was impassable for trucks.  The roads had not been rolled to allow traffic.  Equipment was loaded on sleighs and firemen had to be taken over the road.

At 5:40 am, four blows were sounded for more manpower.

There were 61 children in the nursery building, all under seven years of age.  All were saved and no injuries were reported among them. 

Fireman Savoie and his fellow firemen were playing a stream into the nursery and were about to put up a ladder against the wall when it collapsed without warning.  Because of the deep snow, the men had no chance to run from the falling bricks and were buried beneath the debris.

The men were quickly dug out and were placed on cots of a baggage car on the 6am train to Franklin Depot.  The train proceeded to Franklin where the men were transferred to a truck supplied by Prescott’s Garage for transportation to Franklin Hospital. 

Fireman Peter Savoie was operated on but died soon after, without regaining consciousness. 

Five other firemen were injured but survived the ordeal.

Fireman Charles R. Dodge – 1928 

Tragedy would hit the department again on September 26, 1928.  Responding to what later turned out to be a false alarm, Franklin’s ladder truck arrived at Box 27 at East Bow Street and Central Street.  Several firemen were waiting at the box.  It was decided to respond to Box 26 at Power and Light Company, thinking that it might have been that box that had sounded.  The arriving firemen, including Fireman Dodge, jumped to the running board and proceeded to Box 26. 

The driver of the truck stated that an approaching car caused him to make a wide turn (too wide) and the rear of the truck crashed against a large elm tree on Central Street. 

Fireman Dodge was thrown from the vehicle and struck his head, causing his skull to be fractured.  He was rushed to Franklin Hospital, where he received treatment, but to no avail. 

Three other firemen were injured but not seriously.

Deputy Robert Cunningham – 1951

Fire was discovered at Bailey’s Antique Shop on South Main Street on February 21, 1951. 

Deputy Cunningham was fighting the fire without turnout gear except a metal helmet.  He came in contact with electrical wires and was knocked to the floor.  He got up under his own power and was hit again by the wires, this time he was knocked unconscious.  He was seriously injured and fought to live for more than a year, losing the fight on March 10, 1952.

Fireman Maurice St. Jacques – 1975 

Another fireman death was to occur on August 13, 1975.  Box 235 was sounded at 11:06 am for a house fire at 21 View Street. 

Fireman St. Jacques of Engine Company No. 1, because of the exertion working this fire, fell ill and died of a heart problem a few hours later.  Fireman St. Jacques was the fourth Franklin Firefighter to die in the line of duty.  He was 40 years old and had entered the Department on November 15, 1970.