History of Storm Engine Company 2
175 years of Service
Storm Engine Company traces its beginning to 1851, when a group of young men from the Borough of Birmingham gathered with the shared goal of forming a fire company. They organized under the name that the company still carries today. Professor Stevens, principal of the Birmingham Public School, served as the first foreman and helped establish the foundation for what would soon become a vital part of the community’s fire protection. Shortly after its formation, the company was officially chartered by the State and recognized as a regular unit of the fire department.
For many years, Storm Engine Company was connected with the statewide Latch String order. Members participated in fraternal exchanges and maintained a close relationship with the New Haven Latch Stringers. This period of cooperation and tradition helped shape the company’s early identity.
The company originally operated out of a brick firehouse on the easterly side of Elizabeth Street. It was there that Storm Engine Company received one of the most significant milestones in Derby’s firefighting history: the city’s first motorized fire apparatus, a Seagrave pumper purchased in 1917. The company proudly maintained and operated this rig for many years, setting the standard for modern fire response. In 1955, operations moved to the current firehouse on Olivia Street, where the company continues to serve today.
From its earliest days to the present, Storm Engine Company has remained committed to protecting the community through dedicated service, strong tradition, and ongoing readiness.