The first “Fire Company” in Lee was the Forest Company founded in 1855. It was founded in East Lee to protect the paper mills. On June 24, 1856 the Water Witch Company was founded in Central Lee. We credit this with the beginnings of the Lee Fire Department. They set about raising funds to purchase an engine and on September 6 of that year, at the cost of $1,421 the Water Witch engine arrived in town. This apparatus was housed on Academy Street. By 1889 the town had Six companies that included the Forest, Water Witch, Reliance Hook and Ladder, Vigilant Chemical Company, Emerald Hose and Independent Hose.

Since those days of old, the town has had 27 Fire Chiefs leading the charge. Currently the Town has three engines, one mini pumper, one tanker engine, two ambulances and two forestry trucks in its fleet.

The town is proudly protected by 10 full time and 47 call or volunteer firefighters. The men and women of the Lee Fire Department protect the town 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Aside from fire protection the department also provides Emergency Medical Services at the Paramedic level, Hazardous Materials response, Water and Ice Rescue and assists the community’s civic organization with their events.

The Lee Fire Department provides services to the citizens of the Town of Lee and visitors to the town, the Massachusetts Turnpike from mile 6 to mile 24.5 and medical response to the towns of Stockbridge and Tyringham as well as here in Lee.