By: Caitlin V. Reidy
Many of us can recall reading Fahrenheit 451 in high school, the novel by Ray Bradbury that
features firefighters censoring information by setting books aflame.
Lieutenant Thomas P. Kokernak, a lifelong Sterling firefighter and history enthusiast, takes quite
a different approach with his new book, which chronicles the town’s rich past of fighting fire.
Lt. Kokernak’s book, The History of the Sterling Fire Department from 1781 to 1981, documents
the way in which Sterling residents have protected their town from unruly flames since the
beginning of its establishment in 1781.
Just five years after the United States declared its independence from Great Britain in 1776, the
town of Sterling emerged when Chocksett divided from Lancaster and became its own
municipality. This is when Lt. Kokernak’s book begins.
“Way back in the early days of Sterling, the responsibility of fighting fires fell on everyone in the
village,” Lt. Kokernak recounts. “This was everyone’s work. Women and children played a huge
role in extinguishing fires and used tools such as buckets and mops.”
Lt. Kokernak emphasized that old-fashioned firefighting focused on “pulling people, furniture,
and items of value” out of the fire before buildings and structures “burned to the ground.” He
also stated that it wasn’t until the early 1800s when firefighting “evolved.”
“As the town grew, more buildings were built and the value increased,” Lt. Kokernak said.
“Sterling was more prone to potential loss.”
He disclosed that Sterling’s purchase of a hand tub, a device that was manually operated by hand
to pump and supply water to fires, helped to evolve the way the town dealt with fire emergencies.
Lt. Kokernak stated that the “first attempted” organized fire department in Sterling occurred in
1879, but it wasn’t until 1883 when it “reorganized” and became the modern-day Sterling Fire
Department.
Despite the unusual, but interesting beginning of Sterling firefighting, Lt. Kokernak discussed
how the department developed into what it is today.
“The current term firefighter is a bit misleading. In this day and age, people call firefighters
when they need help. As first responders, we answer calls for ambulances, water breaks, and
getting locked out of houses. In addition to actually fighting fires, the job itself is about helping
people,” Lt. Kokernak stated.
Lt. Kokernak initially joined the Sterling Fire Department as a volunteer at age 14, the youngest
age allowed. He said that his first duties included “sweeping the floor and rolling hoses,” but the
experience “allowed him to listen to conversations and stories.” He said that his first fascination
with becoming a firefighter came from when he was just three years old and picked up a toy fire
truck. “At that point, I just knew,” he stated.
In 2001, Lt. Kokernak became a full-time member of the Sterling Fire Department. He said that
“he knew it was always what he wanted to do,” but that “September 11, 2001 reinforced that
notion.”
In addition to being a celebrated member on the Sterling Fire Department, Lt. Kokernak is also a
trustee in the town’s historical society. He said that he compiled and wrote The History of the
Sterling Police Department from 1781 to 1981 because he wanted to “share and preserve” the
stories that made Sterling what it is today.
“A lot of the information was scattered; I wanted to make sure that this information is available
for future generations,” Lt. Kokernak said.
The book details the early days of the Sterling Fire Department, and gives elaborate details about
tragic fires that resulted in casualties. One of the most devastating fires documented in the book
took place in 1946, on Redemption Rock Trail. It erupted when a six-year-old boy was playing
with matches while he was being babysat with his siblings. Unfortunately, all five children
suffered fatal injuries from the incident.
According to the book, Lt. Stan Day reported to the scene of the incident and tried to find the
children in the flames, but was unable to do so. It was later revealed that the children had tried to
hide from the smoke and fire under their beds. Lt. Kokernak’s publication emphasized the
devastating effect that particular fire had on the Sterling community.
The History of the Sterling Fire Department from 1781 to 1981 not only focuses on the evolution
of the modern-day fire department, but the growth of a close-knit town in times of despair,
challenges, and hard work.
In conjunction with the Sterling Historical Society, Lt. Kokernak initially published 125 hard
copies of his book, which sold for $35 a piece. On April 5, 2022, he held two sessions at the
Sterling Historical Society on Pine Street, where he signed books and reveled in the rich past of
the town’s fire department, as well as his personal nostalgia for his career as a firefighter. Many
townspeople and residents of Sterling passed through the rooms and hallways of the historical
society, while Lt. Kokernak answered questions, provided details, and gave insight into his new
publication. Details outlining this new piece of history can be discovered at the Sterling
Historical Society at 7 Pine Street, Sterling, MA, and on their website,
www.sterlinghistorical.org.