January 3, 1870 – The Town of Dorchester was annexed to the City of Boston. Independence Engine Company 5 of the Dorchester Fire Department became Independence Engine No. 20 and was located in a firehouse, built in 1869, at 32 Walnut Street , Neponset. The company was equipped with an 1869 William Jeffers steam pumper, rated at 400gpm.
1873 – Company names discontinued, reverted back to numbered company only (Engine 20 – as it remains today).
November 24, 1890 – Company received a new Third-Size Amoskeag steam pumper, Serial # 663.
September 19, 1896 – Captain William G. Blanchard, Engine Company 20, died in the Line-Of-Duty from injuries received at the First Parish Church fire, 3-alarms, Box 915, on February 3, 1896.
November 15, 1901 – Combination Ladder Company 11 was organized at the quarters of Engine 20.
April 21, 1905 – Combination Ladder 11, at the quarters of Engine 20, was designated Ladder Company 27.
February 24, 1914 – Lieutenant William H. Hughes, Engine Company 20, died in the Line-Of-Duty from injuries received on January 14, 1914. Engine 20’s hose wagon, upon which Lieutenant Hughes was riding, turned over returning from Box 945 and Lieuteant Hughes suffered many injuries.
October 29, 1921 – Company received a new 1921 American LaFrance, Type 75, 750gpm pumper, Serial # 3608, Shop # 142.
1927 – Company received a 1920 American LaFrance, Type 40, Hose & Chemical Wagon, Serial # 1964, Shop # 332.
August 27, 1930 – Company received a new 1930 American LaFrance, Type 212, Hose & Booster Wagon, Serial # 7235, Shop # 380.
April 20, 1946 – Captain John J. Morgan, Engine Company 20, died in the Line-Of-Duty from injuries received on April 19, 1946. Engine 20 was operating at a fire in the rear of the Keystone building on Hallet Street, when Captain Morgan collapsed.
1948 – Company received a 1945 American LaFrance, ‘600 Series’, 1000gpm pumper, Serial # 8216, Shop # 100.
1955 – Company received a 1951 Ward LaFrance, Model 85T, 750gpm pumper, Serial # 2586, Shop # 177.
August 12, 1958 – Engine 20 and Ladder 27 moved to a new firehouse at 301 Neponset Avenue , Dorchester. The old firehouse at 32 Walnut Street was closed. The building was demolished at a later date.
1958 – Company received a 1947 Pirsch, 1000gpm pumper, Serial # 1734, Shop # 127.
1958 – Company received a 1948 American LaFrance, ‘700 Series’, Hose & Booster Wagon, Serial # L3599, Shop # 310.
July 5, 1962 – Company received a new 1962 Ward LaFrance, Type 1120T, 1000gpm pumper, Serial # 62-4787, Shop # 124.
1974 – Company received a 1968 Ward LaFrance, Model P80, 1250pm pumper, Serial # 80-236, Shop # 164.
1977 – Fire Fighter James B. Stack, Engine Company 20, was awarded the Roll Of Merit. Citation
1979 Company received a 1968 Ward LaFrance, Model P80, 1250pm pumper, Serial # 80-244, Shop # 169.
November 17, 1984 – Company received a new 1984 Sutphen 1500gpm pumper, equipped with a mini-67ft mid-mount aerial ladder, Shop # 192.
April 24, 1997 – Company received a new 1997 Emergency One, Cyclone II, 1250gpm pumper, Serial # 17452, Shop # 148.
2013 – Fire Fighter Adalberto Rodriquez, Engine Company 20, was awarded the Edward H. Hommel, M.D., Medal of Honor. Citation
November, 2014 – Company received a 2003 Pierce 1250gpm pumper, Serial # 14757-4, Shop # 167, ex-Engine 41.
2016 – Four members of Engine Company 20, Fire Lieutenant Martin J. Fernandes, Fire Fighters Edward M. Kenney, Yvette T. Ram and John E. Adams, were awarded the Commissioner’s Unit Citation for their actions on Neponset Avenue, Dorchester, on September 19, 2016. Citation
April, 2020 – Company received a 2009 Emergency One ‘Cyclone II’ 1250gpm pumper, Serial #135432, Shop # 173, ex-Engine 21.
August 19, 2020 – Company received a new 2020 Emergency One ‘Typhoon’ pumper, 1250gpm, 560g/30f tank, Serial # 143208, Shop # 128.