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"Washingtonian
#2" is reported
to be the 2nd
oldest hand
engine in New
York and quite
possibly the US.
It was
originally with
the City of
Albany, NY
previous to 1816
when Cherry
Valley purchased
it for
protection. |
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The History of Cherry Valley’s Fire Department
Throughout Cherry Valley’s history, as well as the history of towns and villages all over America, the prevention and fighting of fire has played a key role. Organized fire prevention began in Ancient Rome, which had as many as 7,000
firefighters. They were Legion
soldiers that were thrust into the
job of "defending" Rome from the
"enemy" of fire. The duties of these companies were not only to respond to fires but also to patrol the city and impose corporal punishment on anyone who violated fire prevention codes.
In America, Governor Peter Stuyvestent of New Amsterdam (New York City) was the first to appoint Fire Wardens in 1648. These men patrolled the city and imposed fines for any fire code violations. Fire fighting at this time was mainly bucket brigades made up of anyone, men and women, who responded to the scene. It wasn’t until 1679 that the first fire engine was imported to Boston.
Cherry Valley’s fire fighting history began simply with buckets being used by villagers to put out fires. On June 8, 1812 the Village of Cherry Valley was incorporated and in September, five trustees were elected. Two of the trustees were appointed Fire Wardens and thus began organized fire prevention in Cherry Valley. The job of the Wardens was to examine chimneys; fireplaces and stove pipe and condemn any that were defective. Village resolutions were passed to require that all buildings had fire-buckets within easy reach. On May 11, 1813, the Village voted to raise one hundred dollars to organize a fire department. The next year, one hundred and fifty dollars was voted on towards the purchase of a fire engine.
Efforts continued to ensure that equipment and water was available to the firefighters. In 1819 a reservoir was built near the center of the village to have water nearby for firefighting. In 1832, a stone one was added and in 1834 a cistern was built near the creek that was filled by a spring. Lead pipe was put in to connect the cistern to the reservoirs in 1866. In 1828, a new engine was bought and an engine house was built on the North side of Church Street. In 1865, an engine house was built on Wall Street and four years later a new house was constructed for a new, larger fire engines. The fire engines of this time were hand operated, requiring anywhere from sixteen to twenty-four men to operate the pumps. This engines can been viewed at the Cherry Valley Museum. In 1928, the first motorized pumper was bought for 7,400 dollars. In 1957, the Fire Department was moved to its present location, the old Delaware and Hudson Railroad Station. Since then a number of trucks and equipment have been bought in efforts to keep the Department as modern as possible.
In August 1818, the first regular fire company was formed. It consisted of 20 members who met once a month for drills. This engine Company operated until 1866 and was joined in 1845 by the Washingtonian Fire Company # 2; which also remained in operation until 1866. In 1872, the Excelsior Fire Engine and Hose Company was formed and a year later the Active Fire Company # 1 was also formed. These companies remained in operation until 1892. The next two companies to form, the Glensfoot Hose Co. (1894- ) and the Empire Hook and Ladder Co. (1900- ) eventually became the Cherry Valley Fire Department, as it is known today. In 1970, an Emergency Squad was formed and the first ambulance was bought. There are over fifty volunteer members in both squads and they continue to hold drills once a month.
Submitted by Liz Plymell |
