District 4 fire station museum salutes fire chief
Niagara Falls’ Fire Station 4 museum was officially named in memory of Gene Somerville on Saturday.
About 200 people gathered at the Chippawa station to hear words and stories from Somerville’s family and members of the firefighting community.
Niagara Falls fire Chief Jim Boutilier made remarks about the requirements to have your name put on a building — of which Somerville met all, plus some.
“It was a unanimous by (city) council to support putting his name on the museum,” said Tim Koabel, president of the Chip paw a Volunteer Firefighters Association.
Koabel said Somerville had an extensive history with Niagara Falls fire services.
He started volunteering in 1954 and went on to serve as district chief from 1961 until his retirement in 1986.
Furthermore, Somerville had five brothers and three sisters who served at the districts 4 and 5 stations.
He also played a pivotal role in having a new fire station built in 1960.
“As president, I think it’s great that his name, and actually his family, is recognized,” said Koabel.
According to staff at the station, it’s safe to say firefighting was a huge part of Somerville’s life. Somerville died in 2015, leaving behind one daughter. She is not involved in firefighting.
The museum is filled with pictures and firefighting-related equipment from the fire station’s past.
One item is a 1938 Ford La-France fire truck featured in the movie A
Christmas Story. A replica of the film’s famous leg lamp from the movie is also on display.