First Article of Series
1. The Volunteer Period (44 Years)
Firefighting was born out of the necessity to protect man from uncontrolled fire. Yonkers has had firefighters of some sort since it became inhabited by Indians. It has progressed from volunteer firemen to professional full-time paid firefighters. The progress of fire fighting has paralleled the advancements made in the growth of mankind, from water carried in a leather bucket and thrown on a fire, to water delivered to a fire under pressure by means of pumps and hoses. The following is a brief history of the volunteer era in Yonkers:
Previous to 1852, there was no provision in the Village of Yonkers for extinguishing fires. A fire which destroyed the mill on what is known as Mill Street awakened some of the people to the need for fire apparatus. Mr. Robert Getty procured at his own expense, and brought to Yonkers, a small "goose-neck" engine. The first fire company was organized under the name of "Protection Engine Company #1, (Engine Place), with George L. Condit as foreman.
Not long after, Mr. Getty also purchased a used hook and ladder truck; and in 1853, "Hope Hook and Ladder Company #1 (Palisade Avenue), was organized, with David Chambers, foreman. Mr. A.M. Grant next bought an engine and housed it near his factory, and a company was formed under the name of Lady Washington Engine Company #2 (Palisade Avenue) A.G. Orden was the first foreman.
In October of 1855, there was no fire apparatus under the jurisdiction of the village authorities. The engines and hook and ladders belonged to private citizens. At a special meeting a majority of the village authorities voted in favor of appropriating funds to purchase the apparatus owned by private residents.
Subsequently, the following additional companies were formed:
Hudson Hose Co. #1.............................. .Nepperhan Terrace - 1868
Palisade Hose Co. #4...............................Vineyard Avenue - 1876
City Hose Co. #3......................................Riverdale Avenue - 1876
Mountaineer Engine Co. #2.....................Oliver Avenue - 1876
Irving Hose Co. #5...................................North Broadway - 1879
Houston Hose Co. #6...............................Orchard Street - 1884
Columbia Hook & Ladder #2..................Vineyard Avenue - 1887
Avalanche Hose Co. #7............................McLean Heights - 1893
Lowerre Hose Co. #9............................. ..Near Lowerre Station - 1894
Shannondale Hose Co. #8.........................Armour Villa Park - 1894
Sherwood Hose Co....................................Sherwood Park
Harry Howard Hose Co..............................Dunwoodie
Crestwood Hose Co....................................Crestwood
Nepera Hose Co..........................................Nepera Park
Located at 189 North Broadway (near Ashburton
Ave.)
Before 1874 water for use at fires was available only from the Hudson or Nepperhan Rivers, or from private cisterns located on farms. It was as a result of a disastrous fire on Dock Street, August 9, 1869, which destroyed a whole square, that a citizens committee was appointed to act in conjunction with the Board of Trustees of the Village to hire engineers to work out a water system.
In 1876, Alexander Houston was elected fire chief. He obtained $350 from insurance companies and purchased a fire bell. the bell tower was located north of Manor Hall. Before the purchase of the fire bell, the bells of churches were used to signal an alarm of fire. In 1886, a new fire alarm system was placed into operation. When an alarm box was pulled, it would transmit a coded signal of its location directly to the fire bell. Simultaneously its signal also registered on a tape in each fire house.
In 1887, a recommendation was made to the Village authorities that they obtain a new ladder truck. The height of the buildings in Yonkers had reached as high as five stories and the longest ladder Yonkers had in service at this time could reach only a maximum of 34 feet in height. By 1888, the strength of the volunteer departments had increased to 386 firemen.
In August 1893, a large fire destroyed all the buildings along the eastern side of Warburton Avenue between Main Street and Dock Street. Every piece of fire apparatus in the city responded to the fire. The fire also damaged many buildings on Mill Street and along the west side of North Broadway. The volunteer firemen controlled the fire after many hours of hard work.
In 1895, the city charter was revised. The Common Council was authorized to determine the fire limits of the city. They authorized the fire commissioners to procure fire apparatus, to organize fire companies, and to control the fire houses.
By the end of 1895, the era of the colorful volunteer firemen of Yonkers was drawing to a close. Rising insurance rates and pressure from businesses and citizens for better fire protection meant the end of the gallant volunteers.
Next Article of Series is: The Beginning of The YFD.
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