In September of 1938, a major hurricane swept through Southern New England causing serious damage throughout the town of Voluntown. Particularly devastating was the damage to large pines and other trees throughout the heavily wooded areas of town. Realizing the potential hazard, and after seeing several structures destroyed by fire, a group of men met on May 3, 1939. At that time, they decided to organize a fire department.
On May 5, 1939, a second meeting was held. At that time, it was decided that the company should be called “The Voluntown Volunteer Fire Company.” The members also agreed to purchase a truck for the sum of $40.00. The department immediately became active in town and elected to march in the Memorial Day Parade in 1939 and followed this with the decision to take part in a July 4th celebration. It was also decided that they would sponsor a military type marching band. The band became very popular throughout Eastern Connecticut and took part in various parades for a number of years.
In the summer of 1939, the members of the department fabricated their own truck. On December 5, 1939, papers were filed with the Secretary of State to become a Connecticut Corporation. Early in 1940, the Chief was empowered to look into the purchase of property for the site of a firehouse and a town hall. Shortly after, the company decided to purchase property on Main Street in Voluntown. A motion was made that “in the event the town decided to provide funds for the fire department, the fire department would assume the responsibility of building a town building.”
The Department showed a period of continued growth in 1941. Members voted to see about hiring a carnival to play in town as a fund raising program. The department also received a check from the State of Connecticut for $26.15 for fighting a State Forest fire. The members also agreed to accept the responsibility of being airplane spotters for the National Defense.
By 1942, the fire station and town hall on Main Street had been completed.