History of Frodsham Fire Station
You could say that the history of the towns fire brigade (or village as it was until the eighties) mimics the history of probably hundreds of other brigades throughout the UK.
The units started as volunteer brigades, progressing as they were able to buy new equipment. They became part of the NFS (National Fire Service) during the war years, and finally became part of Borough or County brigades.
Frodsham's fire engine
Frodsham's pump for years was a trailer pump towed by the village taxi! The station took delivery of its first 'proper' pump, a Dennis, registered number DTU 862 in the late 1930's, this remained on the run until the early 1960's.
The fire engine spent time during the war years away from Frodsham, because it was taken into the National Fire Service. It came back to Frodsham when the war ended.
Word War 2
During WW2 the village brigade was made up entirely of female Firefighters from the Land Army. They competed in, and won a national pump contest.
1970's
After the war and up to 1974 Frodsham was part of a Brigade made up of County and Borough Brigades, in those days the Wirral was part of Cheshire. After 1974 the brigade was reorganized to encompass the towns of Warrington and Widnes, formally in Lancashire.
In 1978 a new station was built, and the towns cover changed from Retained (part-time) status to Day-Manning (station staffed during the day, personnel live close to the station and respond by alerters after dark). Due to a change in brigade policies, etc, call numbers fell and in 1996 the station again returned to the Retained system.
1998
In 1998 local Government Reorganization again had an effect on the Brigade, whereby although the layout remained the same, the brigade became a 'combined fire authority', seeing Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn gain unitary status, whilst still providing their fire cover.
About the PhotographThe all Female crew that served Frodsham during the dark years of World War Two. The crew took part in, and won a national pump competition. The trophy is proudly displayed on the trailer pump.
Crew Left to Right:
1. not known; 2.Menes Price; 3. Hester Bassnet; 4. not known; 5. Margaret Catherall.
Photo by kind permission of Frodsham & District Historical Society, and thanks to Mrs June Gelling of Frodsham for supplying the names of the crew.
Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service, Headquarters, Sadler Rd, Winsford Cheshire, CW7 2FQ TEL: 01606 868700
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