Erieville Fire Department History as pdf document

A Timeline History of the
Erieville Fire District and Erieville Fire Department
Started in 1996 by Reginald S. Card first Historian
(Written in 1996 and revised in 2006)
Historian Patrick Massett
Year 1935
In 1935 the Erieville Fire Department began forming by petitions circulated for
signatures throughout the fire district area. Even though no department had yet been created, a
bucket brigade was used and did save one building.
History shows that firemen met in
December 1935 in the Grange Hall for the purpose of forming a new district and to meet with the
Town Board.
Year 1936
On December 3 a notice of a special meeting at the Grange Hall, Erieville, Friday,
December 18 at 1:00 p.m. on forming a proposed Fire District. Town of Nelson minutes of
December 18 meeting show that the petitions were presented and approved by the Board; this
was the first step of truly forming the fire district. The District will be between 50 and 60 sq.
miles with Erieville the center.
Supervisor Owen Evans appointed five men as Fire
Commissioners, Frank Cook, George Planck, John Badertscher, Leon Hudson and C.
A.
Sherman.
On April 2 the Erieville Volunteer Fire Department organized and the following officers
were elected, President H. D. Gaige, 1st Vice President Westley Sternberg, 2nd Vice President Rev.
Barnes, Secretary- Treasurer Louis Smith, Chief Westley Sternberg, Assistant Chief Ed Slocum,
and Foreman of the Hose Harvey Omens, 1st Assistant Ernest Brown, and 2nd Assistant Donald
Magee.
Page 1 of 27
May 5 water buckets were ordered at a cost of $15.63. The department orders the first
siren at a cost of $37.50.
The first Chief of the Department was Westley Sternbreg, April 2, 1936 until his death in
September 20, 1939.
Year 1937
December 7 the first election of the Fire Commissioners was held elected Charles
Sherman, 5yr. Frank Cook, 4yr. Earl Judd, 3 yr. John Badertscher, 2 yr. George Planck, 1 yr.
Louis Smith Appointed Treasurer.
Cazenovia Republican February 11, legal notice to purchase equipment and property and
hold an election on March 3.In 1937.
February 25, the Town of Nelson named Fire Wardens. Under the state law these men
may call help to extinguish forest fires and the same in a town charge.
Cazenovia Republican March 4 by a vote of nearly 3 to 1 the newly organized Erieville
Fire District last night voted to tax $.171/2 per $100 as fire tax to pay for the $5000.00 bond to
purchase suitable fire apparatus and equipment for extinguishments and prevention purposes and
to purchase and repair a suitable lot and building for storing of fire apparatus and equipment and
for social and recreational use of firemen and residents of district. Forty votes were cast in favor
of the proposition and 22 against.
The new fire truck arrived on August 19,
1937 at a cost of $4,000.00, a 1937
Chevrolet chassis, American LaFrance
apparatus with a 500-gallon/ min pump
and a booster line, which at that time was
referred to as a high-pressure line and
Page 2 of 27
able to carry 90 gallons of water. It was a proud day for the newly founded department and
district. The truck was immediately put into service. The new truck was stored in Chauncey
Hughes barn because there was still no building to house the truck.
On August 15 it was decided to
build a 20 x 30 ft., 2 stories for a
firehouse. A vacant lot, due to a previous
fire on the comer of Georgetown and
Eatonbrook Roads, was available at a
cost of $1000.
Ernest Brown was
overseer of the construction for this
building.
The first siren was put into use in
1937 on the new firehouse.
Year 1938
The department had its first major
fire on December 31 at 2:45am.
The
Erieville Hotel, which was constructed of
old and dry hemlock, was a total loss,
even with mutual aid from Cazenovia.
Page 3 of 27
Erieville Hotel Burns
This article appeared in the
Cazenovia Republican on
Thursday, January 5, 1939 on
page 1.
FIRE OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN DESTROYS OLD HOSTELRY
The biggest fire that has visited Erieville in many years destroyed the three-story old Erieville Hotel
building Friday night. The fire, which was of undetermined origin, is believed to have started shortly
before 2:45 a.m., Saturday. The loss is estimated at $5,000.00. The building was half a century old. The
Picture above was taken by Wilford Nabor, president of the Cazenovia Camera Club. Fifty-five years
ago, the previous building on this site burned to the ground.
The blaze was discovered by Mrs. Charles Spaulding who chanced to look out her window at the
Spaulding home. She summoned her husband who turned in the alarm and at the same time both the
first and second floors of the hotel were ablaze.
The great hazard confronting the Erieville fire department under the direction of Fire Chief Wesley
Sternburg, whose home is directly south across the highway from the burned structure, was to prevent
the fire from spreading to near by dwellings. Chief Sternburg said the building, constructed of hemlock,
burned like a matchbox.
The terrific heat not only kept the firemen back, but also broke windows in the Sternburg, H. D. Gaige
and E. B. Buckingham residences. Had there been a high wind half the village would have gone up in
smoke, Chief Sternburg declared. The New Woodstock firemen were called out just before the telephone
circuits were cut out. Both the telephone and electric light services were paralyzed for nearly five hours.
Dropping their pumper lines into the creek at the foot of the hill in the business section, both departments
pumped the water supply dry two or three times, but due to the water running down hill from the scene of
the fire back into the creek, the firemen were able to keep pumping.
A public dance <was> held at the hotel Friday night, which was over at 1:00 A.M., and no one <is>
believed to have been in the hotel when the fire broke out. The building, formerly owned by Mrs. Frank
Blair of Eaton, was leased and operated by Jack Hosid. It was originally built by Henry Griffin and his
father, but had changed hands several times.
Called at 8:00 a.m., Trooper K. J. Merrill of Cazenovia and Trooper Earl Fogarty of the BCI department
of Oneida barracks investigated.
The wife of an Erieville resident was said to have looked out her window at 2:10 a.m. and at that time
there was no sign of a fire at the hotel.
The south side of the H. D. Jilson residence, which faces the rear of the hotel, was badly scorched and
the porch of Chief Sternburg's home was caught at the peak. It was considered by the chief and several
other residents .to have been the worst fire in the village in close to 50 years.
Page 4 of 27
Year 1939
The Assistant Chief of the Department Ed Slocum finishes out the rest of Westley
Sternberg’s term.
The New Fire house is finished.
Year 1940
The Department elected a Chief Ed Slocum, May 1940 to May 1947.
On March 11, 1940 the Gaige
General Store burned; mutual aid from
Cazenovia was again called. The fire was
put out, but the building was badly
damaged and it had to be torn down.
Year 1942
In 1942 the department joined the Madison County Mutual Aid System, which has had
very few changes throughout the years.
Year 1947
The Department has a new Chief Charles Spaulding, May 1947 to May 1955.
Year 1949
Page 5 of 27
The department buys their first uniforms.
Year 1950
May 29 Auxiliary will host a meeting demonstrating resuscitator at the firehouse.
Year 1951
The department host field days
Year 1953
Page 6 of 27
The Erieville Fife & Drum is formed on April 7, 1953.
Year 1954
In 1954 the first mutual alarm radio was used, in Gordon Marris' home.
Also in 1954 was the first fire number to call by telephone on a six-person party line of
fire personnel.
In the 1954 an addition was put on the firehouse on the comer of Georgetown and
Eatonbrook Roads.
Year 1955
The fire Department has a new Chief Harvey Omens, May 1955 until June 1955.
Harvey was chief for only a month when he past away. George Coling serving as 1st Assistant
Chief moved up to Chief for the rest of Harvey’s term, until May 1956.
This is the year the commissioners voted to have the department respond to other than
fire calls. An Emergency Squad was formed to handle other calls due to the ravages of nature in
October 4, 1955.
Year 1956
Chief George Coling serves until May 1956 and decides not to run in the April election.
Page 7 of 27
The Department has a new Chief Clarence Abbuhl, May 1956 to May 1958
Year 1957
The department gets called out to a plane crash at the south end of the lake. Two people
were killed.
Year 1958
The Department has a new Chief Gordon Marris, May 1958 to 1969.
In 1958 the Commissioners and the department worked on purchasing a second pumper.
The Commissioners bond for $13,000.00 to purchase this pumper.
The first Firemen's group photos were taken in 1958.
Year 1959
The truck arrived in 1959; a Ford with American LaFrance apparatus, with a 750 gallonsper-minute pump and 500 gallons of
water capacity, this truck is called 172.
In 1959 a used fire truck was purchased
for a tanker, but never worked out well,
due to the lack of baffles in the tank,
poor brakes, plus its being too hard to
handle, although it was a very good
means of carrying water to a fire call.
Prior to that, aviation fuel tanks were used to carry water. Large milk trucks owned by Frank
Cook and Bill Bastian would respond to the fire house and unload all milk cans, load two empty
Page 8 of 27
fuel tanks per truck, respond to the nearest available water supply where the pumps were set up,
fill the tanks, and respond to the fire. This may not have been the fastest, but it was the best they
had at the time.
During that same era, a small
1949
Chevrolet
panel
truck
was
purchased for an equipment truck, but it
was not used very long.
Year 1961
The Fire Department started a new fundraiser called the Oyster Supper. This fundraiser
was suggested by Chief Gordon Marris for the purpose of giving back something to all those
who supported us throughout the year, at a price low enough to make only a small profit.
Year 1962
The department has a major accident on January 5 with 172, 1959 Ford Mid-ship pumper.
Year 1967
The first barbecue was held in 1967, which replaced the Firemen's Field Days.
Year 1968
In this year plans were made for the purchase of a new tanker, 1,200-gallon capacity.
Page 9 of 27
Year 1969
The tanker arrived with a 1,200gallon capacity tank and a 250gal/min.
mid/
ship
pump.
Saulsbury
Fire
Apparatus built the new apparatus for
$18,943.00 dollars.
Chief Gordon Marris passes away
on December 1969 Robert Magee, Sr. 1st
Assistant Chief moves up to finish out
the term until May 1969.
Year 1970
The Department elects Robert Magee Sr. Chief, May 1970 to December 1977.
In the early 1970's, Firematics,
with old-time apparatus in competition,
became a big sport throughout most of
New York State. Events such as First
Water and Midnight Alarm were held.
Erieville's first truck, the 1937 Chevy
with a gear pump, drew the fastest water
in New York State, doing so in 56 seconds. Also the Midnight Alarm, with a four-man team,
took first place in several events.
Page 10 of 27
The old siren was in operation into the 1970's, and needed replacing.
Year 1972
In 1972, the Erieville Rescue Squad was formed.
The first rescue truck was a converted house-to-house milk delivery truck.
The Fire Department purchased a new 30x60 tent. This tent could be rented out to the
public as a fundraiser. Several tents have been purchased, which are still available for rent to the
public.
Year 1974
In 1974, the Department purchased the present firehouse, which was a garage owned by
Bill Magee. This gave us much more room for the fire trucks.
Page 11 of 27
Year 1975
The new firehouse had very little land, so we purchased the house next door and tore it
down for future expansion.
Fire phones where updated in 1975.
Year 1976
In 1976, the first female to be a firefighter joined the department, Jane Magee. She was
the first or second female firefighter in Madison County. On her first night's practice under
Chief Bob Magee, our practice was to flush a cattle pass on Hatch Lake Road. Naturally, the
tanker had to haul several loads of water to flush much residue that had built up in the cattle pass.
On Jane's first night, she was assigned to drive the tanker. While many men looked on, not
realizing that she was a farm girl, Jane backed the truck in the dark to the portable pond as well
as any man could have done, by using the truck's mirrors for guidance. She paved the way for
many female firefighters throughout Madison County.
Year 1977
By now the need for a better siren was urgent because this was the only way to summon
the volunteers for a call. A water siren was donated from Morrisville and converted to electricity
and put on the roof of the firehouse.
In December 1977 Chief Robert Magee Sr. moves out of the District and William Jones
Sr. takes over as Chief.
Year 1978
The Department elects William Jones Sr. Chief, May 1978 to May 1989.
Page 12 of 27
In 1978, the Fire Department
obtained another rescue truck to replace
the older one, a 1971 Chevrolet carpet
truck, converted into a rescue truck. The
volunteers did all the work.
The old firehouse was sold on the
comer of Georgetown and Eatonbrook
Roads, as it was no longer needed for
housing firefighting equipment. After the old firehouse was sold the Fire Department no longer
had a meeting room. Due to the need for a meeting room and the Auxiliary's want for a kitchen,
the firemen started plans for a large expansion of the firehouse. Volunteers did all work in
planning the new expansion.
The building construction was begun in
1978. We framed the building and soon exhausted the Auxiliary and Firemen's funds. The
Firemen and Auxiliary worked hard at fundraisers for the next three years.
Year 1981
Page 13 of 27
During 1981, all efforts were put into force for raising money for the new building, and
again the building process continued. With the determination of the fire department members to
have a new building, a very generous donation was made by a summer resident who had enjoyed
the lake and community for many years. The new room was named the McLaughlin Meeting
Room.
Also in 1981 new pagers were purchased at a cost of $175.00/each; the second batch soon
followed, until every active fireman had one.
Year 1982
The building was completed in 1982, with a new kitchen and an additional truck storage
room added to the building.
The department started work on plans for a new pumper.
Page 14 of 27
Year 1983
The first banquet was held in 1983 in the new McLaughlin Meeting Room.
The new No.173 1000gal/min. front mounted pump with a 1200gal. Tank arrived on a
Ford chassis. Saulsbury Fire Apparatus built this truck at a cost of $120,000.
Year 1984
The first rental of the McLaughlin Meeting Room to the public was made available in 1984. The
220 Party was introduced in 1984 to be a fundraiser.
Year 1985
Page 15 of 27
In 1985, a large storage room was added, as well as a room for the amphibious Duck. In this
year, an amphibious vehicle referred to as "The Duck" and "The Duckling" went into service for
the purpose of water rescues on the two lakes and for lakes of neighboring departments.
The New Raffle fundraiser was introduced in 1985, which replaced the old One Dollar
Raffle, with a book raffle of over 200 prizes for $5.00 each.
A new flagpole and plaque, as well as shrubbery, were placed in front of the firehouse to
honor all departed firemen. New siding was also added as a facelift to the front of the firehouse
that year.
Page 16 of 27
Year 1986
Fire phones where updated again, this allowed calls to go directly to Fire Control over a
microwave system.
A second-hand rescue truck was
purchased in 1986, when several firemen
went to Long Island to drive the truck
back.
firemen
Bill Jones and several other
refurbished
the
truck
and
adapted it with our first mobile Cascade
system. Through the years, many calls
have been answered with the mobile
Cascade, both mutual aid and our own.
The second Firemen's group photos were taken.
The first Open House was held in 1986, which marked the department's 50th anniversary.
Also in 1986, the first camcorder was purchased, to be used as a training aid and to
preserve the history of the fire department. This was the year that firemen's albums of old
pictures were begun. Also added to our election of officers was a historian. The first historian
was Reginald Card.
Year 1987
A new air compressor was added to the firehouse, due to the fact that now air brakes were
on the trucks. Without the trucks' air pressure up, the brakes would be set, and trying to even tow
the vehicles from the building in case of a fire would be next to impossible.
Also in this year, a cellular phone was donated; this was installed in our rescue truck.
Page 17 of 27
Year 1988
The Firemen's Room was made
from a storage room. This room was setaside for our firemen to use in their
leisure time. A large television set and a
VCR were purchased for the room. They
were also used for training and for
reviewing past fire and rescue calls that
were recorded on our camcorder. The pool table, which had originally been in the old firehouse,
was refurbished. Also added were carpeting, paneling, a dropped ceiling, a trophy cabinet, and
other furnishings.
A Firemen and Auxiliary bowling tournament was added as a fund raising event.
Year 1989
The Department has a new elected Chief John Smith, May 1989 to May 1993.
The entranceways in front of the building were all blacktopped.
The department purchased computer for record keeping
Page 18 of 27
This was also the year that Erieville's first fire truck, the 1937 Chevy No. 171, was totally
restored at a cost of approximately $12,000 by Gordon Randall at H&R Body Shop in Nelson.
The emergency phone system was updated to a call forwarding system that went directly
to Madison County Fire Control.
Year 1990
Cement was poured for the Duck Room floor. This was added in such a way as to meet
the standards of a heavy truck room, with plans for future use of this room as a truck bay.
Year 1991
In 1991 the Retirement System, for years of service as a volunteer, was adopted.
Erieville Fire Department is the only one in Madison County with a retirement program. The
retirement is not just given, but has to be earned through a points system, as points are earned for
time given, such as offices held, fire practices and fire calls attended, committee work, etc. To
gather points, they must be earned. Fifty points are required per year.
Year 1993
The Department has a new elected Chief Patrick Massett, May 1993 to May 1998.
The Computer Room was built in 1993 to regulate temperature and humidity for the
computer, and the Communication Room was also refurbished. A newer computer was bought to
handle the added record keeping needs of the retirement system.
Also in this year, the old metal roof on the firehouse and Meeting Room began leaking.
The metal was taken off and plywood and shingles were added, which was a good investment to
preserve the building for many more years.
Page 19 of 27
Also in 1993, our new pumper,
No.
174,
arrived,
very
close
in
appearance to our 1983 pumper No.173,
and it became a replacement for our old
1959 Ford American LaFrance midship
pumper. Saulsbury Fire Apparatus built
this truck.
Due to high maintenance on the
Duck, plus loss of interest, the Duck was sold this year.
Year 1995
A fax machine was added to the computer room.
Year 1996
The bathrooms in the McLaughlin Meeting Room were redone and modified to be
handicap accessible.
In 1996, we purchase the old house across the street from the firehouse. We tore down
the house and converted the garage to a smoke training building.
The third Firemen's group photos were taken.
A pair of MSA “Hot Spotters” was purchased at a cost of $400.
Our second open house was held on July 20, 1996, celebrating over 60 years of
community service on this day.
Year 1997
The district received a grant of $10,000 from Senator Nancy Lorraine Hoffman towards
the purchase of equipment. Also, in 1997, a clothes dryer was purchased to dry turnout gear.
Page 20 of 27
An MSA Carbon Monoxide detector was purchased for the Department.
The department purchased a copy machine at a cost of $1,400.
The kitchen and pantry in the Meeting Room were expanded and a storage room was
added. A second exit to the meeting room was also added.
The old “water wheel” siren broke down. The cost to replace the siren with one that was
similar to the old was estimated at a cost of $10,000. A new electronic siren system was installed
at a cost of $1,190. The firemen affectionately called the new siren their “screaming lady.”
Year 1998
The Department has a new elected Chief Joseph Deyo, May 1998 to May 2003.
In 1998, a grant was received from Assemblyman William Magee and Senator Nancy
Lorraine Hoffman for $5,000 to purchase ice rescue equipment. Also in 1998, a defibulator was
purchased for the rescue truck.
Madison County updated to Enhanced 911 for all emergency calls.
New uniforms were purchased for the Fire Department.
Year 1999
Page 21 of 27
A new rescue truck was purchased in 1999 at a cost of $197,000.00 dollars. The truck
was designed by members of the fire department and built by Saulsbury Fire Apparatus of Tully,
NY.
A quick dump was added to the rear of 173.
A set of air bags was purchased for the rescue truck at a cost of $2,300.
An 8” cement pad was poured in front of the truck bays at a cost of $7,000.
A new vertical air compressor was installed to replace the older model at a cost of $1,200.
The old water wheel siren was repaired and replaced the “screaming lady” siren.
The oldest active member by age today is Carl Dilworth joining the department in 1947.
He probably has served more years as a Fire Police person than any other member, and he has
been a member of the fire department for more than 50 years. He has served as secretary for
many years, as a Fire Police Captain, and has served on many committees, including cooking
chicken for the barbecues. Carl has answered many, many calls through the years, and still
answers calls today. In 1999, the communications room of the fire station was refurbished and
named “The Carl Dilworth Communications Room.”
The computer was updated at a cost of $2,000.
Year 2000
The commissioners updated all cold-water rescue suits. We are now trained at the highest
level in the area.
The commissioners two smoke exhaust cleaner systems in the truck bays to remove
diesel exhaust fumes at a cost of $3,200/each.
An auxiliary powered generator was purchased by the district and installed as backup
power for the firehouse at a cost of $14,000.
Page 22 of 27
We entered into automatic mutual aid with Cazenovia and New Woodstock 24 hours a
day, seven days a week.
Year 2001
A used 1,200-gallon tank was purchased to replace the old 1,200-gallon tank on the 1969
tanker at a cost of $8,000.
A new overhead door was installed on the duck room at a cost of $900.
The main entry door on the front of the firehouse was replaced at a cost of $7,000.00
The cement walkway in front of the firehouse was replaced with a new cement walk a
small pad in front of the duck room door.
The department received a matching funds grant of $1,300 from the NY Dept. of
Environmental Conservation.
Over the past sixty-five years, the Department would not exist today if not for the
community actively supporting the Department's functions and the understanding of the
taxpayers and our needs. Many thanks to present and past commissioners and to the past and
present taxpayers and to various people who have made donations.
Page 23 of 27
In 2001, an open house was held commemorating 65 years of service for the Erieville
Fire Department.
Year 2002
Working with the Department Chiefs and Officers the Fire Commissioners came up with
the money to update the MSA air packs and also gear worn by SCBA Firefighters.
At the request of the officers a used Phoenix extrication power tool was purchased.
The Fire Commissioners request the Department to form a committee for the replacement of the
1969 Tanker.
The front parking lot pavement is ripped up and is repaved.
Carl Dilworth our oldest active member at the time passes away.
The Department receives a grant for $11,000.00 from State Senator Nancy Lorraine
Hoffman towards the purchase of a Thermal Imaging Camera.
Year 2003
The Department has a new Chief William Thompson, May 2003 to May 2006
The Department celebrates Five Generations of Volunteering from the Smith Family at
the Annual Banquet.
Generation I:
Louis Smith – 1935
Generation II:
Harold Smith – 1936
Generation III:
Valette Smith – 1948, Velton Smith – 1952
Generation IV:
John Smith – 1976, Velton Smith, Jr. – 1984,
Priscella Smith Ammon – 1986
Page 24 of 27
Generation V:
William Smith – 2002, Bryan Smith – 2002
The Smith family
The district purchases a new 2000gal Tanker on an International chassis from Jerome fire
equipment and built by Saulsbury Fire Equipment at a cost of $162,000.00.
Year 2004
The town of Nelson decides to build a pavilion at the Erieville ball field, volunteers
Robert Magee and Pete Baker to over see the project. The department members volunteer to help
build the pavilion.
Page 25 of 27
The department chicken BBQ under the new pavilion.
Year 2005
A grant of $5,000 was received from State Senator Dave Velasky for the purchase of new
lockers for personal protection equipment.
To make room for the lockers the old chief’s room was removed and the area was remodeled by
the department members, directed by Roy Stearns.
Year 2006
The Department has a new Chief Richard Marris, May 2006 to Present.
Page 26 of 27
The Erieville Fire Department currently has an active membership of 25 members. Current
honorary members of the Fire Department are: Clarence Abbuhl, John Oats, Don Johnson,
Charles Omans, William Omans, Dan McCarthy, John Miner Jr., Scott Marris, Steve Marris, Jim
Tainter, Jim Proctor and Velton Smith, William Jones, Reginald Card, Carl Anderson, Robert
Gapski, Carl Woodcock, Mary Williams, Roy Hatch.
Page 27 of 27