May 15, 1860 – Steam Engine No. 4 organized and placed into service and located in the basement of City Hall, Court Square, formerly the quarters of (Hand) Engine 11. The engine was First Size steamer, built by Amoskeag Manufacturing Co., Manchester, NH., Serial # 8.
April, 1863 – Company moved to the west end of Scollay’s Building, near Court Street and Cornhill Street.
June 2, 1868 – Company was named Barnicoat Engine No. 4.
December, 1870 – Company moved to Smith’s Stable on Bulfinch Street. Scollay’s building was torn down.
March, 1872 – Moved into a temporary wood building on Brattle Street during construction of a new firehouse.
December 18, 1872 – Company moved into a new firehouse at 5 Bulfinch Street, opposite Howard St., with Extinguisher Wagon No. 1.
1873 – Company names discontinued, reverted back to numbered company only (Engine 4 – as it remains today).
May 1, 1874 – Company changed from Call to Permanent status.
1880 – The first firehouse sliding pole in Boston was installed at Engine 4’s quarters.
August 13, 1884 – Hoseman Joseph Pierce and Hoseman James Quigley of Engine Company 4 died in the Line Of Duty, due to a roof collapse during a fire at 108-112 Beach Street, Downtown.
1899 – The introduction of rubber tires on apparatus wheels was first used on Engine 4’s steam engine.
1900 – Captain Peter Callahan and Hoseman Timothy E. Heffron of Engine 4 were awarded the Roll of Merit.
September 21, 1908 – The ‘First’ Great Fire in Chelsea occurred. Engine 4 was among 14 engine companies, 2 ladder companies and a fireboat sent by Boston on Mutual Aid to Chelsea. The fire consumed 492 acres of land and destroyed 2822 buildings before being extinguished. Companies sent to Chelsea were: Engines Companies 6, 5, 11, 36, 27, 39, 26, 8, 10, 33, 9, 40, 4, 15; Ladder Companies 21, 22; Fireboat Engine 44.
April 27, 1916 – Newspaper story:
Profile of Captain William E. Riley of Engine 4.
September 16, 1921 – Company received a new 1921 motor American LaFrance, Type 75, High-Pressure Hose Wagon, Serial # 3233, Shop # 337. The wagon was designated High Pressure Wagon #3.
June 28, 1922 – The horse-drawn steam engine in regular service was replaced when Engine 4 received a 1917 gasoline Christie front-drive engine, Shop # 118T , attached to a 1904 American LaFrance steam engine, Serial # 2951.
October 9, 1925 – The 1917 Christie, Shop # 118T , was placed in reserve. Company received the motor pumper of Engine Co. 35
December 21, 1925 – The 1917 Christie, Shop # 118T , was returned to service at Engine 4.
May 3, 1926 – The company received a new 1926 American LaFrance Type 75 motor pumping engine, Serial # 5510, Shop # 174.
February, 25, 1929 – Company moved to a temporary location in the quarters of Ladder 24 at 16 North Grove Street, West End. The old firehouse at 5 Bulfinch Street was closed.
November 10, 1930 – Company moved to a large new firehouse at Bowdoin Square.
November 19, 1930 – Company received a new 1930 American LaFrance Type 212 pumper, Serial # 7240, Shop # 182.
October 20, 1931 – Company received a new 1931 American LaFrance Type 212 Hose & Booster Wagon, Serial # 7372, Shop # 384.
1944 – Hoseman Raymond W. Frazel of Engine 4 was awarded the Roll of Merit.
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August 8, 1947 – Company received a new 1947 American LaFrance ‘700 Series’ 750gpm pumper, Serial # L-3122,
Shop # 122.
May 28, 1948 – Company received a new 1948 Mack, Type 85, 750gpm pumper, Serial # 85LS1250, Shop # 190.
July 20, 1948 – Company received a new 1948 Mack Type 85 ‘Cardox’ Hose & Booster Wagon, Serial # 85LS1247, Shop # 398.
October 28, 1963 – Company moved to a temporary location at the quarters of Engine 25/Ladder 8 at 123 Oliver Street, Downtown. The large firehouse at Bowdoin Square was closed.
May 3, 1965 – Company moved into a new firehouse at 200 Cambridge Street, Downtown, along with Ladder 24.
December 17, 1970 – Company received a 1957 Mack 1250gpm pumper, Serial # B125F-1027, Shop # 100 , ex-Engine 2.
May 3, 1973 – Company received a 1970 Hahn 1250gpm pumper, Serial # C12-41, Shop # 149.
December 23, 1976 – The 1948 Mack, Model 85H, Hose & Booster Wagon, Serial # 85LS1247, Shop # 398 , was removed from service.
August 10, 1979 – Company received a new 1979 Ford/Sutphen 1250gpm pumper, Serial # HS 1401, Shop # 115 , placed into service as Engine 4’s hose wagon.
March 25, 1981 – Engine 4’s hose wagon, the 1979 Ford/Sutphen 1250gpm pumper, Shop # 115 was placed in service as Engine 4’s pumper. Company received a new 1981 GMC/Sutphen 1250gpm ‘Midi’ pumper, Serial # HS 1567, Shop # 116 , placed in service as Engine 4’s hose wagon.
March 27, 1985 – Company changed to Single-unit operation, using the 1979 Ford/Sutphen pumper, Shop # 115.
May 29, 1986 – The 1979 Ford/Sutphen pumper, Shop # 115 , was returned to service painted red.
March 2, 1987 – Company received a new 1987 Emergency One ‘Cyclone’ pumper, Serial # 5290, Shop # 122.
1989 – Fire Captain John J. McKenna of Engine Company 4, was awarded the Gerard J. Molito Award of Recognition. Citation
1989 – Fire Fighter Thomas W. McKernan of Engine Company 4 was awarded the Roll Of Merit. Citation
1994 – Acting Fire Lieutenant Michael E. Hocking of Engine Company 4, detailed to Engine Company 37, was awarded the Walter Scott Medal for Valor. Citation
1998 – Fire Fighter George S. Thibodeaux of Engine Company 4 was awarded the the Roll Of Merit. Citation
1999 – Fire Fighter Joseph Johnson of Engine Company 4 was awarded the Roll Of Merit. Citation
August 13, 2001 – Company received a new 2001 Emergency One ‘Cyclone’ 1000gpm pumper, Serial # 123429, Shop # 156.
November 4, 2003 – Company received a new 2003 Pierce ‘Enforcer’ 1250gpm compressed foam pumper, equipped with All-Wheel steering, Serial # 14756, Shop # 165.
1999 – Fire Fighter Shawn J. Hardiman of Engine Company 4 was awarded the Roll Of Merit. Citation
