Today, January 29th, the Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills Fire District proudly celebrates 100 years of service to our community. For a full century, generations of firefighters have answered the call, standing watch over our villages with courage, dedication, and pride. This milestone is a moment to reflect on where we began, honor those who came before us, and celebrate the department that continues to serve today.
The story of our department begins in the early 1900s, when community members recognized the growing need for organized fire protection. That vision became reality on January 29th, 1926, when the voters of Centerville and Osterville officially established their own fire district. From early chemical engines and small village firehouses to motorized apparatus and full-time staffing, each era brought progress built on the determination of local firefighters and the support of the community.
As the decades passed, the department evolved alongside the villages it serves. Fire suppression expanded into forest firefighting, emergency medical services, rescue operations, and public safety education. New stations were built, modern apparatus placed in service, and training advanced to meet increasingly complex emergencies. What never changed was the department’s commitment to service, professionalism, and protecting neighbors in their moments of greatest need.
Today, the C-O-MM Fire District is a modern, all hazards fire and rescue organization operating from three stations and responding to roughly 5,400 calls annually, making this one of the busiest years in our history. Through decades of progress and professionalism, the department has grown into one of the top fire departments in the Commonwealth, proudly carrying forward a century long legacy of service to Centerville, Osterville, and Marstons Mills.
There is so much more to our story still to be shared. We invite all members of our community to join us at our formal centennial recognition ceremony on July 11th at the Osterville Village Library. All are welcome as we honor our past, recognize those who served before us, and celebrate a century of dedication to our villages. As we step into our next century, we do so with gratitude, pride, and an unwavering commitment to serve.
