The History of the Little Falls Fire Department – A New Chief, Tragedy, and the Times They Are A Changing

In 1967, an institution of the Little Falls Fire Department decided he had had enough. Fire Chief Abram Swartz retired on March 1 after 44 years of service, 20 of them as Chief. A retirement banquet was for on March 11 at the DeCarlo-Staffo Post on Loomis Street. Over 250 people attended, and Assistant Chief Stephen Talaba served as master of ceremonies. Among those in attendance were Little Falls Mayor Ted Wind, Vice-President of the Police and Fire Board Joseph Buccafurno, President of the Regular Fireman’s Association Local 75 Michael Izzo, President of the Call Firemen’s Association John Harwick, other city officials, officers from neighboring fire departments, and most of the Little Falls Fire Department (except for the firefighters that were on-duty of course).

Among the highlights of Chief Swartz’s career pointed out that night was that he had only used one sick day in 44 years on the job. An Evening Times article that was published about Chief Swartz when he announced his retirement gave a fitting tribute to his career that read “well done, good and faithful servant”.

Chief Alfred Munger

Alfred Munger took over as Chief of the Little Falls Fire Department on March 1, 1967, which coincidentally was exactly 20 years to the day that his predecessor, Abram Swartz, started his time as Chief.

Much like when Swartz became the head of the department, when Munger became Chief, the United States, and the world, for that matter, was experiencing major changes. The Vietnam War was in full swing, and tens of thousands of American soldiers were being sent to Southeast Asia to fight the communist armies of the North Vietnamese. At home, the war was very unpopular as protests raged across the country, giving rise to the counter-culture (which, in this writer’s opinion, gave birth to some great music!).

On a lighter note, the first Super Bowl was played, and a worldwide phenomenon was born.

Chief Alfred Munger (seated, far left) joins LFFD firefighters for a picture on the 1950 ladder truck. Photo courtesy of Marchell Scarano.

Strife and Tragedy

The Little Falls Fire Department was feeling the anti-establishment spirit during this time as well. No, they did not grow their hair out and join protest rallies, but they were angry just the same – and it began before Munger became chief. By 1965, the Little Falls firefighters realized that when compared to their colleagues in Herkimer and Ilion, they were the lowest paid. They also received no health insurance, clothing allowance, retirement benefits, or compensation for answering fire calls on days off – all of which the Herkimer and Ilion men did.

Firefighters Mike Izzo and Ed Brzdenk addressed the Common Council at its October 1965 meeting and asked for a raise for the fire department. After some debate, the request was tabled. Mayor Willard Topper explained that this council did not want to make any decision that would affect the budget for the incoming council members, but promised their concerns would be addressed in 1966.

Mayor Topper kept his word. Although they didn’t get everything that they wanted, in 1966, the fire department did receive a raise that made their pay comparable to their counterparts in Herkimer and Ilion. It should be noted that the Police and Fire Board were very supportive of the firefighters during this time. They formally requested the Common Council re-evaluate the increment plan (which is what the compensation plan was called then), leading to the raise the fire department received.

Two of the department’s other complaints were addressed in 1966 as well. In February, it was decided that both the Fire and Police departments would get overtime pay. Granted, it was at regular pay rate, but it was still a major step forward. This was the first time the fire department ever received overtime compensation of any kind.

In December, the fire department members were offered health insurance. Initially, only the firefighters were eligible for the insurance (families would be included later), but this was still a significant step.

While the department celebrated its labor victories, it would soon find itself in mourning. On November 13, 1967, regular firefighter Paul Grose unexpectedly died. Grose, who was on duty that day, began feeling soreness in his throat early in his shift. As it got worse, his doctor advised him to be seen at the hospital. Grose left the station on his own, but did not make it very far, as he was found collapsed on the sidewalk near the station.

The ambulance took Grose to Little Falls Hospital at around 9:15 P.M., and he was pronounced dead about three hours later, with the cause determined to be epiglottis. His funeral was held on November 17, with members of the fire and police departments serving as pallbearers and honor guard.

Promotions and New Apparatus

In 1967, the makeup of the Little Falls Fire Department was undergoing major changes. Chief Swartz was not the only one who retired, as Assistant Chief Stephen Talaba retired after 25 years of service as well. This, along with Mungers’ promotion to Chief and Assistant Chief George Miller’s retirement in 1966, meant there were multiple officer slots to be filled.

Ed Brzdenk was promoted to First Assistant Chief when Munger took the reins of the department. This was followed shortly thereafter by the promotion of Ira Hoke to Second Assistant Chief. In 1968, Ray George was promoted to the same rank as Hoke, and in 1969, it was decided that another Second Assistant Chief was needed, and this spot was filled by Michael Izzo. This slate of officers would, for the most part, remain intact for the next 15 years.

Assistant Chief Ray George takes time for a picture with Smokey the Bear. Photo courtesy of Marchell Scarano.

During Alfred Mungers’ time as chief, the LFFD acquired six pieces of apparatus. In 1967, a brand new Ford Station Wagon replaced the 1960 Plymouth as the Chief’s Car, and the ’67 Ford would be replaced five years later by another Ford station wagon. In January of 1970, a 1969 Seagraves 1,250 GPM pumper replaced the old 1928 Dodge-Graham hose truck. Five years after this, a lime colored 1975 Mack pumper/tanker, which held 1,000 gallons of water, would take the place of the Call Men’s tank truck. 1978 would see a 1977 Dodge van-style ambulance succeed the 1965 Cadillac ambulance. Finally, the 1972 Ford Station Wagon was disposed of and replaced with a 1979 Chevrolet station wagon.

The LFFD 1969 Seagraves Pumper.

Special thanks to the Little Falls Historical Society for access to their files, pictures, and Cooney Books.