February 10, 1893 – Company organized at the quarters of Chemical Engine Co. 5 at 3089 Washington Street , in the Egleston Square section of Roxbury. The company was equipped with a new 1893 Silsby Third-Size rotary steam engine, Serial # 2159.
September 21, 1894 – Hoseman Michael J. Lamb, Engine Company 42, died in the Line-Of-Duty.
November 8, 1900 – Hoseman Herbert Pierce, Engine Company 42, died in the Line-Of-Duty from injuries received at Box 553, Louder’s Lane, Jamaica Plain, on October 31, 1900.
January, 1907 – Company received an 1884 Amoskeag Second-Size steam engine, Serial # 591, ex-Engine 32, and rebuilt by the International Power Co. The 1893 Silsby steam engine, Serial # 2159, was sold to the International Power Co.
March 5, 1913 – Ladder Company 30 was organized at the quarters of Engine Co. 42, replacing Chemical Engine Co. 5.
April 20, 1916 – A profile of Captain G. H. Hutchins, Engine Company 42, was published in Boston Globenewspaper story: Profile
September 17, 1920 – The horse-drawn apparatus was replaced by a 2-wheel Christie front-drive tractor, Shop # 111T , attached to an 1867 Amoskeag steam engine, Serial # 273, ex-Engine 28, and a 1917 Seagrave motor Combination Hose & Chemical wagon, Serial # 17555, Shop # 315 , ex-Engine 8.
October 10, 1924 – Company received a new 1924 American LaFrance, Type 75, 750gpm pumper, Serial # 4854, Shop # 164.
August 6, 1926 – Company moved to temporary location at Ladder 23’s quarters, 36 Washington Street , Dorchester, to allow for reconstruction of the firehouse.
April 1, 1927 – Company returned to remodeled quarters at 3089 Washington Street , Roxbury. A third floor was added to the building.
October 26, 1929 – Company received a new 1929 American LaFrance, Type 112, Hose & Booster Wagon, Serial # 6669, Shop # 371.
June 5, 1948 – Company received a new 1948 Mack. Type 85, 750gpm pumper, Serial # 85LS-1254, Shop # 131.
December 19, 1952 – Engine 42 and Ladder 30 moved into new a new firehouse at 1870 Columbus Avenue , Roxbury. The old firehouse at 3089 Washington Street , Roxbury, was permanently closed.
April 1, 1953 – Company received a new 1953 GMC/Robinson Hose & Booster Wagon, Serial # 451-30-3493, Shop # 315.
September 20, 1957 – Company is changed from Double-unit to Combination Single-Double-unit operation.
1959 – Fire Fighter Wilbur W. Luacaw, Engine Company 42, was awarded the Roll Of Merit. Citation
January 13, 1960 – Fire Fighter James P. Walsh, Engine Company 42, died in the Line-Of-Duty at Box 2255, 8 Lambert Street, Roxbury.
July 26, 1968 – Company received a new 1968 Ward LaFrance, Model P80, 1250gpm pumper, Serial # 80-234, Shop #162.
July 1, 1970 – Company received a new 1970 Hahn 1250gpm pumper, Serial # C12-30, Shop # 110. The 1968 Ward LaFrance pumper, Shop #162 , was transferred to Engine 28.
1970 – Fire Fighter Michael J. Bruno, Engine Company 42, was awarded the Patrick J. Kenedy Medal of Honor for his actions at 335 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, Box 2415, 2 Alarms, on November 23, 1970.
Citation for Fire Fighter Bruno
January 20, 1971 – Company changed to Single-unit operation.
October 19, 1973 – Company received a new 1973 Maxim 1500gpm pumper, Serial # 3138, Shop # 179. The 1970 Hahn pumper, Shop # 110 , was reassigned to Engine 8.
1974 – Fire Lieutenant Biaggi Germano, Engine Company 42, was awarded the John E. Fitzgerald Medal for Most Meritorious Act of 1974.
Citation for Fire Lieutenant Germano
1974 – Fire Fighter John J. Stanton, Engine Company 42, was awarded the Roll Of Merit. Citation
September 18, 1981 – Company received a 1970 Ford/Maxim Squrt Wagon, Serial # C75FVE-74269, Shop # 300 , ex-Engine 26.
May 21, 1983 – Engine 42 again operating as a Single-unit. The 1970 Ford Squrt Wagon, Shop # 300 , was reassigned to the newly organized Tower Company at 123 Oliver Street , Downtown.
1984 – Fire Lieutenant Francis L. McLaughlin, Jr., Engine Company 42, was awarded the Patrick J. Kennedy Medal of Honor for his actions on Ruthven Street, Roxbury, on December 16, 1984.
Citation for Fire Lieutenant McLaughlin
February 3, 1985 – Company received a 1985 Ford/Emergency One 1250gpm pumper, Serial # 3895, Shop # 112.
1985 – Fire Fighter (Aide to the District Chief, District 9) Joseph R. Murphy, Engine Company 42, was awarded the Roll Of Merit. Citation
1991 – Fire Fighter James M. Doyle and Fire Fighter Anthony Green, Engine Company 42, were awarded the Roll Of Merit. Citation
1984 – Fire Fighter (Aide to the District Chief, District 9) Paul J. Zepf, Engine Company 42, was awarded the Roll Of Merit. Citation
July 26, 1995 – Company received a new 1995 Emergency One ‘Protector’ 1250gpm pumper, Serial # 14871, Serial #140.
January 29, 1999 – Fire Fighter Richard J. Murphy, Engine Company 42 (Aide to the District Chief) died in the Line-Of-Duty after operating at Box 219 (Elm Hill Avenue & Seaver Street, Roxbury).
Medal of Valor Citation for Fire Fighter Murphy.
2000 – Fire Fighter (Aide to the District Chief, District 9) Paul J. Zepf, Engine Company 42, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award. Citation
2011 – Company received a 2010 KME ‘Predator’ 1250gpm pumper, Serial # 7940, Shop # 176.
2011 – Fire Lieutenant Glenn D. McGillivray, Engine Company 42, was awarded the Walter Scott Medal for Valor for his actions on Westmister Avenue, Roxbury, Box 2296, 5 Alarms, on October 17, 2011.
Citation for Fire Lieutenant McGillivray
September 14, 2017 – Company received a new 2017 Emergency One ‘Typhoon’ 1250gpm/560g tank/30g foam pumper, Serial # 141071, Shop # 119.
2017 – Four members of Engine Company 42, Fire Lieutenant Timothy P. Foley (HQ) and Fire Fighters Daniel T. Conroy, William E. Schulze and Alan P. Royer, were awarded the Commissioner’s Unit Citation for their actions on Lawn Street, Roxbury, on September 26, 2017. Citation
2021 – Fire Fighter Ryan Lynn, Engine Company 42, was awarded the Patrick J. Kennedy Medal of Honor for his actions at 31 New Whitney Street, Mission Hill, Box 2377, on September 23, 2021. Citation for Fire Fighter Ryan Lynn
2022 – Four members of Engine Company 42, Fire Lieutenant Leonard A. Whitted and Fire Fighters Victor H. Gaybor, Leo D. Stapleton and David C. Thomson were awarded the Roll Of Merit for their actions at 776 Summer Street, South Boston, on May 2, 2022. Citation
2022 – Company received a 2017 Emergency One ‘Typhoon’ 1250gpm/560g tank/30g foam pumper, Serial # 141070, Shop # 118, ex- Engine 21.
2023 – Company received a new 2023 Emergency One pumper, 1250gpm, 560gal. tank, 30gal. foam, Serial # 1005014, Shop # 139.
