IN the mid fifties, Darwen boasted the most efficient fire brigade in the county.

In an efficiency competition against 80 other stations, in 1956, they came out top, gaining 90.7 marks.

“A record we are proud of,” said Station Officer Russell Dutson, the man in charge of the station.

Indeed efficiency was the brigade’s keynote, which was ready to fight the flames within seconds of an alarm being received.

For immediately, the duty fireman in the watchroom noted the fire’s location and, equally importantly, the nearest main road – to avoid any confusion with streets of the same name.

While the message was being taken, the bells were ringing in the firemen’s homes; the siren was started and the men who were in the station were already sliding down the pole to man the engine. The time for all this was 20 seconds.

In the watchroom there was also a list of all the property in Darwen and district, which indicated the number of appliances to be sent to a fire at a particular works or factory.

If, for example, a fire was reported at Walpamur, two engines would be sent from Darwen, the pump escape and major pump; while a major pump and turntable ladder would also go at full speed from Blackburn — irrespective of the size of the blaze.

Said Station Officer Dutson: “It is a necessary precaution.

“We must be prepared.”

As well as being efficient, Darwen Fire Brigade was also up to date, the engines were fitted with two-way transmitters to that details could be sent from the scene.

Harry Dutson, son of station officer Dutson, who now lives in America, remembers the Charles Street station as a youngster and said: “One of the perks of being the boss’s son was being able to use the pole to slide down.”

Harry has also told us about the brigade’s impressive last tribute to Second Officer Christopher Holden, who died in the 1940s after an accident at home.

It accorded him a fireman’s funeral and his coffin was placed on the Merryweather engine at the station at 1pm.

With two members of the brigade on guard, it remained for an hour, until at 2pm the alarm was sounded.

As one of the brigade cried out ‘carry on, Holden’, the engine slowly set off for the cemetery.

Six members of the brigade W Blackburn, S Clarke, A Ainsworth, Mr Dutson, A Greenwood and A Peacock walked alongside with Acting Superintendent H Entwistle walking in front.

Leading the way was the Belgrave Mills’ brigade, former firemen and members of the auxiliary.

The wreath from his comrades was shaped as crossed axes, helmet and belt.

  • Pictures courtesy Darwen Days.