This volunteer fire department came to an end December 9, 1874, when a paid department was organized in accordance with an act of the Legislature, the first chief engineer being Thomas H . Mason; first assistant, John Franklin; foreman of hose, William M . Lea; assistant foreman, Milford Osborne; superintendent of steamers, John Brooks; assistant superintendent and engineer, Frank Spotten.
12.
The next few years do not seem to have been very busy, but in the late fifties activity picked up on various vehicle and specialist projects; manning levels were quite low : there were 517 people employed in October 1956, falling to 408 two years later, whilst a staff chart for March 1959 listed only 84 staff from the Factory Superintendent down to the Assistant Foreman in the Forges.
