Anticipating American entry into World War I in early 1917 , McCall formed the Massachusetts Public Safety Commission , an emergency response and relief organization that was the first of its type in the nation . Coordinating a wide array of public and charitable organizations and major businesses , the commission played a significant role in providing relief and other services until it was disbanded in 1918 . One of its most important actions was coordinating the state 's response to the Halifax Explosion of December 6 , 1917 . With only fragmentary reports received early after a blast devastated the Nova Scotia city of Halifax , McCall called the committee into action , and offered unlimited assistance to the stricken city . The state organized a major relief train ( even before the full extent of the disaster was known ) that was among the first to reach Halifax , and the committee 's representatives assisted in organizing relief activities on the ground . Temporary housing built in Halifax was named in McCall 's honor , and the state 's relief efforts continue to be recognized today by Nova Scotia 's annual gift of a Christmas tree to the city of Boston
Halifax Explosion
Halifax Explosion
Samuel W. McCall