By day, they are news reporters, realtors, MBTA workers and active & retired first responders. But by night – or whenever their phone rings – they are Boston Sparks Association A-10 volunteers on the scene at all fires across 35 different towns in the Boston Metro area.

The BSA was founded in 1938 with their overall mission being to bring first responders and the public together through their fire museum and incident support unit.

As one of the oldest and biggest fire buff clubs, the association started with folks who had knowledge about fire suppression and simply wanted to see the firefighting take place. Over time, those buffs would help with equipment and pass out coffee from the trunk of their cars.

(According to their website, a “Spark” or “Fire Buff” is someone with heavy interest in firefighting and emergency services. They may promote services, fundraise or go to emergency sites to assist.)

Now, decades later, the fire department relies on the buff club-turned-A-10 Incident Support Unit.

A-10’s purpose is to provide automatic emergency scene services. That could mean providing snacks and cold beverages to firefighters who have been working tirelessly all night or it could mean being there to offer moral support when someone needs it.

After a long shift, a simple “thank you” from the firefighters themselves makes it all worth it.

With three different vehicles, one of which being a renovated ambulance, the team travels to 35 different towns in and outside of the Boston Metro Area no matter what time it is, what day it is or how cold it is. If there is a fire, they will be there to help – roughly 200 times a year, to be exact.

And with 200 fires comes hundreds, if not thousands, of meals.

For situations that last hours, A-10 will call local small businesses a few times a day to source enough donuts, pizzas and sandwiches to feed the hungry, worn out first responders. Money raised through BSA membership fees, donations and support from local police and fire unions is used to pay for that food.

Additionally, those funds also go toward another branch of the BSA – The Boston Fire Museum.

Since 1983, the museum at 344 Congress Street has kept the integrity and history of the Boston Fire Department alive. 

It features vintage equipment like a working telegraph fire alarm bell and green leather fire buckets from 1829 and tells the story of monumental fires in the city over the years.

You can even host a birthday party there! As they say on their website, “make your child’s birthday a blazing success with a party at the Boston Fire Museum!” 

The future firefighters will get to pull a real fire alarm and learn how they work in real time, put out a simulated fire and the birthday child will get to be the start of a “rescue mission!”

Open on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM with free admission, all are welcome to stop in. Plus, if reading this lights a fire under you to get more involved with the community, you can volunteer at the museum.

There is no age requirement or experience needed. And don’t worry if you can’t summarize historical events like the Great Molasses Flood of 1919 – You will learn! There are plenty of cheat sheets and experts there already who will show you the ropes.

With a family first culture and weekly Friday night dinners, BSA has created a sense of community that anyone would feel welcomed in.

Current BSA President Justin Holstrom grew up in a firefighter family and although he decided to go down a different career path, he enjoys having the BFD still a part of his life.

“It’s a great opportunity to be a part of something that actually makes a difference and preserves the history of the BFD and also gives back to the first responder community,” Holstrom said.

If you are interested in learning more about joining this community, email [email protected].

Oh and by the way, here’s a quick summary of the Great Molasses Flood of 1919 to keep in your back pocket:

On January 15th, 1919, a tank truck holding 2.3 million gallons of molasses for eventual alcohol products burst and destroyed all in its path down Commercial Street in the North End of Boston, killing 21 and injuring 150. Essentially, think of a tsunami-like force but with sticky, brown sugary liquid that hardened as time went on. People, animals and cars were swept away while buildings and homes were demolished, including the Engine 31 Firehouse. There, the firefighters fought for their lives for hours while trapped, with one unfortunately drowning and passing away. You can read our history lesson on the Great Molasses Flood here.