GREENFIELD — For many years, the Greenfield Fire Department used a wired fire alarm system with red, metal boxes attached to buildings and telephone poles throughout town with handles that could be pulled in case of an emergency.

Now, the department is selling the old Gamewell Pull Boxes, which were removed from around town last year, in order to give residents the chance to own a little piece of Greenfield Fire history. They will be available for $25 each on Thursday from 2 to 6 p.m. at the fire station, with a limit of two per person.

Chief Robert Strahan said the 75- to 100-year-old system has been replaced with a wireless radio system, although some boxes can still be found on buildings around town. Those boxes, he said, now use the radio system to transmit a signal to the Fire Department.

On the old boxes, when the handles were pulled, a three-digit Morse code would be sent to the fire station, corresponding with a specific location.

“That was basically an old telegraph system that if somebody saw a fire, they’d pull the alarm,” he said. “When the code would come in, you’d read out (the code) and then you’d read the list and see what box it was, and respond accordingly.”

For example, he said the code for the hospital was 941. When firefighters would see an alarm activation with that code, they would know where to go.

About 120 boxes were taken down last year and have been stored in the basement of the firehouse since.

Strahan said the utility pole boxes have not been replaced in this age of ubiquitous cell phones, but those than remain on buildings use the new radio system.

“We were in the process of disposing of the boxes, but we wanted the public to have an opportunity to own the history,” Strahan said. “They have been deemed as excess property and we’re selling them to anyone who’s interested. It’s a neat way to own a little bit of fire history in the town.”

Conditions of the boxes vary and will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those who wish to purchase more than two boxes should leave their name and contact number in the event not all are sold. Any questions, please contact Deputy Chief Edward Jarvis at 413-774-4737, ext. 1105.

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