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Brockport Fire Department
celebrates 125 years of service The Brockport Fire Department is celebrating its 125th Anniversary during the year 2002. The entire department is proud to share our heritage and an integral part of your community history with you. Although the official reorganization of the Brockport Fire Department took place in 1877 after a major fire in the Business District of the Village, we have traced our beginnings back to 1832. The Water Witch Company #1 was formed at that time. This company was followed by the Conqueror Engine Company #2 in 1834, the Spartan Hook & Ladder #1 in 1846 and later the Empire Hook & Ladder Company #1. When fire hit Market Street in January 1877, the only fire protection the village had was two portable Babcock Soda-Acid fire extinguishers and an 1847 Selye & Porter hand pumper in poor condition due to lack of maintenance. At that time there were no organized fire companies in town. This was mostly due to the indifference of the taxpayers voting down any and all requests for equipment. After the fire, the Horace Silsby Hose Company #1, the C.D. Dewey Hook & Ladder Company, the Protectives Inc., the L. J. Pease Hose Company #2, the B. E. Huntley Steamer Company #1 and the Thomas Cornes Engine Company #3 were formed. Of the original six companies, the first three are still an active part of the Brockport Fire Department. The Harrison Hose Company organized in 1882 and the F. F. Capen Hose Company #4 organized in 1893. All five of these companies comprise today's Brockport Fire Department. In fact, we still own most of our original equipment from 1877 and just recently we had the 1847 hand pumper restored to original working condition. Over the last fifty years, the following groups have become part of the Department: in 1948, the Ladies Auxiliary was formed; in 1955, the Fire Police Squad was created; in 1962, the Brockport Emergency Relief Squad Ambulance Corps was organized and today responds to over 1,300 requests for service annually. The last two groups to join the Department family are Explorer Post 623, a division of Boy Scouts of America in 1974 and the Brockport Volunteer Firemen's Benevolent Exempt Association was chartered by legislation in 1976. The Department runs out of four firehouses averaging 700 fire calls for service per year. The Brockport Fire Department is a village owned Fire Department with fire protection contracts with the towns of Sweden and Clarkson for a total service area covering in excess of ninety square miles. The district is made up of commercial, light industry, a SUNY College campus with enrollment of 10,000, residential and a variety of farms in mostly non-hydranted areas. We operate five class A pumpers, a 110' aerial ladder truck, a heavy duty and light duty rescue truck, a brush truck and two type III Modular Ambulances with an EMS Flycar. The Fire Department created a history book in 1977 when the 100th Anniversary was celebrated. This book has been completely redone and updated. The original photos, through the magic of today's digital technology, look better than they did twenty five years ago. And, the supplement of the last twenty five years includes color photos of such incidents as the George S. Terry fire when the village had to be evacuated. There are pictures from the warehouse fire at Sodoma Farms and many other pictures of equipment, fires, accidents and the work we do everyday, that you all depend on. History books are available to read at the Brockport Museum at 49 State Street, or the Seymour Library on East Avenue. They are also available to purchase your own for $35 from the Village of Brockport offices at 49 State Street, the Town of Clarkson offices on Lake Road at Ridge Road, the Liftbridge Book Shop, or by visiting our web-page at www.BrockportFire.org, for a printable order form. The fire service is steeped in tradition. This was clearly evident during our recent Anniversary Banquet, the first of many celebrations scheduled for this year. Floyd Madison, Fire Chief of the City of Rochester Fire Department, served as the Master of Ceremonies for our banquet. Past Chief Leonard Huether, RFD, served us in that capacity with distinction at our 100th Anniversary Banquet. At least fourteen Past Chiefs of the Brockport Fire Department, dating back to serving in the early sixties, were in attendance as well as the first female member of the Department who was admitted to the ranks in the early seventies. Past Chief D. Scott Warthman, Department Historian and artist, created a gold leafed plaque commemorating the anniversary. As Scotty tells it, he used wood given to him by his Dad from a ninety year old wild cherry tree that fell during the Ice Storm of '91 at the old Warthman homestead on Gallup Road. Village of Brockport Mayor Josephine Matela was joined by leaders from both the towns of Sweden and Clarkson, as well as dignitaries from the area police agencies, the United States Coast Guard, the Firemen's Association of the State of New York, New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, Monroe County Association of Fire Chiefs and the Monroe County Volunteer Fireman's Association. In addition, all surrounding fire departments and the Monroe County 911 Center were represented and shared in this gala event. Many of these agencies brought plaques to present to Chief Wing commemorating the milestone as well. Pastor Thomas Stroup, Fire Department Chaplain, gave both the invocation and the benediction. During his invocation, he nearly brought tears to most and left others speechless as he read the words to "God Bless The U.S.A." by Lee Greenwood. He spoke of Congress, both houses, praying on the steps of the Capitol, and he reminded us all to "keep locking arms just as you did on September 11th and most recently, during the ice storm ..." His message was heard by, and appreciated by, all in attendance. Brockport Fire Chief Gregory B. Wing had nothing but high praise for his personnel as he and Deputy Chief Christian A. McCullough with Assistant Chief Mark H. Warner distributed the service awards and commendations. Service Awards were given to members having served over 20 years in five year increments, right up through 50 years of service presented to Claude Carson and Gerald Remington. Certificates of Valor were presented to Michael Vergari, Scott Wainwright, Joseph Richards and Robert Wood for their team effort in attempting to rescue an individual from a working house fire. Certificates of Merit were also presented to several members and a citizen who stepped above and beyond assisting in improving the quality of life for one of our residents. Praise for the department did not stop with the fire chiefs, nor with the local officials, as they expressed their appreciation for the work the department does for its community. Congratulatory correspondence was received from the Assembly, the Senate and the Executive Chambers of the State of New York as well as from the White House. In his Citation, Governor George E. Pataki indicated how "the Empire State is proud to recognize the outstanding sense of civic duty shown by members of local fire departments ...". The President of the United States, Mr. George W. Bush writes, "I salute you for your dedication to your profession and for your service to our fellow citizens. The brave men and women who are devoted to protecting lives and property truly exemplify the spirit of America." The Legislative Resolution passed in both the Senate and Assembly "acknowledges publicly the heroic good works done by the volunteer fire departments of this great Empire State" and declared by resolution, they paused in their deliberations to proudly commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Brockport Fire Department. Christopher R. Martin |