FIRE-FIRE!
On May 15th, 1854 upon incorporation of the Village of Warren, the Warren Fire Department was formed. The push for incorporation of the Village was a direct result of a number of devestating fires that had visited the downtown area, and funding for permanent water supplies and for a new apparatus was approved at that meeting. Although the Rescue Hook and Ladder Company was formed and responding from Liberty Street, its funding was by popular subscription. With the exception of several buckets hung on its frame, this company had no means or intentions of purchasing a pump.
At the same time, another group of concerned citizens organized. They too had attempted subscription to fund a new pumper, but could not raise enough funds. It was this group of citizens who were to form the Hand Engine Company #1 that same evening in 1854, becoming the first organized fire company in the new Village of Warren. In the final step that night, in exchange for a body of men, the new Village was to accept Hand Engine Company #1 into the Warren Fire Department.
CISTERNS
Along with apparatus and equipment, a system of cisterns were dug throughout the Village after the incorporation in 1854. These cisterns, often supplied by downspouts and storm water, were usually found under the sidewalks throughout town. The handtubs would pump the water out of these cisterns into hoses or buckets which would then be poured onto the fire.
This cistern was pictured in front of the Rescue Hook and Ladder #1 quarters on Middle Street. This cistern was dug around 1880, when the building was built. This relic was covered over when new sidewalks were installed some time later. Old cisterns, as well as coal, cold storage, and extended basements can be found under many sidewalks in Haverstraw.
SOUTH SIDE OF MIDDLE STREET
On September 1st, 1854, the Village of Warren purchased from Mr. Isaiah Millburn a building at what is now 36 Middle Street. The firehouse cost $700.00 and was used from 1854 -1936.
As you can see from this picture, the bay door has been bricked over, but is quite visible. The flagstaff also still remains. At $700.00, the price was high for those days, but the location on Middle Street was centralized and would have been a valuable location at that time. After we vacated this building, the Triumph Hose Company was to move in.
1854 & 1857 BUTTON HANDTUBS
On September 21, 1854 the company was to recieve its first apparatus. Manufactured by L Button and Company of Waterford New York, the pump had 7″ cylinders and a 5″ stroke. Operated by two parrallel arms on either side of the machine, it’s hard suction was stored above the body, what was known as squirrel style. The cost of the new apparatus along with hose and the hose cart was $1089.00
The company has no known photo record of this handtub, although it was known to be in service from September 1854 through sometime in 1887. The second handtub, that belonging to the disbanded Union #2 was acquired by General Warren on May 5th, 1887 after Union #2 disbanded.
THE HOSE CARTS
During 1884, an application was received by the Village Board to supply Haverstraw with water, and shortly thereafter construction started on a pressurized water system. By 1885, it was recommended to the Board of Engineers that fire hydrants be placed throughout the Village to improve fire protection. This work was to commence the next spring, and by July 6th, 1886 it was reported that 13 hydrants were in service. By October 5th, 1886 it was reported that 37 hydrants were in service and this set the stage for the Hose Carts.
At this time, General Warren , Union, and Triumph responded with handtubs and hose reels while Lady Warren had a steamer. They drafted water from cisterns and other sources throughout the Village. With the advent of fire hydrants, pumps were no longer needed to draw water. As a result, the village sold the Lady Warren steamer, and put all of the hand engines in storage. Four wheeled hose carriages were purchased by the Village and distributed to the companies In a later development, two wheeled hose carts were purchased to replace the bigger and heavier 4 wheeled variety, and the 4 wheeled versions were kept by the companies and used as parade carriages.
Above is a 2 wheeled hose cart that was used during a demonstration on the Bank Corner for the 100th anniversary of the H.F.D. in 1954. Congers came to the village with their steamer which they fired and pumped. The 2 wheeled hose carts that the Village bought were exchanged between the companies depending on needs, and a single hose cart still survives today owned by a private collector.
THE COMPANY MONIKER
The Hand Company #1 was to became the Warren Engine Company #1, and eventually General Warren Engine Company#1 by March 31, 1870.
NORTH SIDE OF MIDDLE STREET
Up until 1880 Rescue had been meeting in Osborne Hall on Liberty Street but in this year a new building was erected for them opposite General Warren on the North side of Middle Street. At meeting of the Board of Trustees held March 6th, 1882 a resolution was passed to raise the sum of $1000 for the purpose of purchasing a suitable house for General Warren Engine Company No. 1 and passed by the taxpayers on March 22nd. This new building was built on the west side of the building then occupied by Rescue in 1883 and the Foreman was advised at meeting of the Village Board of December 5th, 1883 that the new house was ready for use.
At meeting of the Board held January 7, 1884 the Foreman, Frederick Glassing, Jr. was presented with 36 keys for new engine house for No. 1. The company was still in possession of the hand engine and several more cisterns had been constructed throughout the village one of which was in the street in front of the new fire-house. General Warren’s quarters on the left, or west side of the building.
FIRE HYDRANTS
During 1884, an application was received by the Village Board to supply the Village with water, and shortly thereafter construction was commenced on a pressurized water system. By 1885, it was recommended to the Board of Engineers that fire hydrants be placed throughout the Village to improve fire protection. This work was to commence the next spring, and by July 6th, 1886 it was reported that 13 hydrants were in service. By October 5th, 1886 it was reported that 37 hydrants were in service and this set the stage for the another transformation in the Companies and in the Department.
THE GENERAL WARREN HOSE COMPANY #2
Upon the completion of the water system in 1886, the Village was to purchase the company a 4 wheeled hose cart to replace the handtub in use, though the company responded with both for a number of years. As a result, the Company name was again to change to the General Warren Hose Company #1 in 1887.
THE FIRE WHISTLE
Near the turn of the 19th century, the Lighting Company on West Broad Street installed a ‘whistle’ on its roof, dubbed the ‘Screecher’, that would be sounded when there was an alarm. This system was in place until 1908, when the Village of Haverstraw contracted with the Gamewell Company to install street pull boxes. 12 new pull boxes were installed throughout the Village.
MOTORIZED FIRE APPARATUS
With the turn of the century, motorized auto cars and flat bed chassis became prevalent in the fire service. Haverstraw had two companies equipped as such, Relief Hose with a Sterns 3-60 Automobile and a Hale pump and Lady Warren with a Pope-Hartford Automobile with a hose bed procured with the help of the Brickyards. Funding for motorized apparatus was through Proposition.
This newspaper flier is from 1918.
1919 AC MACK TRIPLE COMBINATION PUMPER
General Warren Hose Company #2 would come to accept delivery, on September 27th, 1919, of a brand new Mack Triple Combination Pumper, our first motorized apparatus. The Mack had a 300 gpm pump, 300 gallon tank, 40 gallon chemical extinguisher, 1200 feet of 2 1\2″, and assorted tools.
We were by this time known as General Warren Hose Company #2, evidenced by the lettering on the truck. The 1919 Mack Triple Combination pumper served the company until 1936 and was last seen as the village honey wagon well into the 1950’s.
1936 MUNICIPAL BUILDING
In 1936, the Village of Haverstraw was to erect a new Municipal Building on industrial land on Maple Avenue. A new Village Hall, Police Station, and Quarters for the 3 Middle Street companies.
Today the Municipal Building is the current home of the Haverstraw Fire Department, along with Rescue Hook and Ladder Co.#1 and The Cosgriff Hose Co.#4.
1936 SEAGRAVE RESCUE AND SALVAGE TRUCK
1936 SEAGRAVE RESCUE AND SALVAGE TRUCK
The 1936 Seagrave was the second motorized apparatus purchased for General Warren. This truck was designed to carry lighting, salvage equipment, and in a new development, tools for industrial accidents and automobile extrication. With war clouds on the horizon, and before the advent of the ambulance corps, many departments began equipping fire trucks with first aid and rescue equipment. This was the ‘cutting edge’ technology of its day. The flashlight and iodine truck would also respond with accident victims directly to Nyack Hospital when the need arose.
Below is the initial proposal for the 36 Seagrave. As you can see, the truck was spec’d out with a ‘Northern Booster Pump’, 150 feet of 3/4″ hose, and a 100 gallon tank. The pump was dropped in the final build. The 36 Seagrave is the design basis for all of our trucks since.
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At the meeting held on February 2nd, 1937, the company moniker again was changed from General Warren Hose Co.#2 to General Warren Emergency Company #2, a reflection of its mission, and we remain so today.
The 36 Seagrave was last seen sitting in Jurgensens Machine Shop on West Street.
THE GENERAL WARREN EMERGENCY COMPANY #2.
Upon reciept of the 1936 Seagrave rescue, the company name again was changed to General Warren Emergency Company#2 to reflect it’s mission. We were and still are, General Warren Emergency Company #2.
1954 INTERNATIONAL JOHN BEAN HIGH PRESSURE
“High Pressure and Whistling Fog”
Our 1954 International Harvester John Bean High Pressure truck was to become the benchmark for all of our apparatus since. The John Bean High Pressure had a 300 gallon tank, high pressure discharges, electric generator, hydraulic extrication tools, lighting, and ‘Indian’ tanks and became the workhorse of the department through the 50’s and 60’s. With the ability to pump water, work accidents, and complete salvage operations, unit 4-EM was born. Shown with our first boat. When we retired this truck in 1977, it went first to the Village as a sewer jet, eventually going to the Village of West Haverstraw as a stake truck.
1977 FMC JOHN BEAN HIGH PRESSURE TRUCK
“The Jaws and Covered Crew Bench”
Our 1977 FMC John Bean High Pressure truck was a logical replacement for the 1954 International. Designed with a covered crew bench and air pack racks behind the cab, this apparatus carried our first ‘Jaws of Life’, had a permanent foam dispensing system, and carried 6 firefighters comfortably and safely under cover. The Village donated this truck and excess equipment to a village in the Dominican Republic. It is currently in service in that country.
1998 SAULSBURY HEAVY RESCUE
“In Memory of Marshall”
Our active apparatus is a 1998 Saulsbury Heavy Rescue with a walk-up Spartan/Gladiator chassis. This truck added integrated extrication tools, light tower, and a 4 stage Waterous pump to the tried and true design of truck 4-EM. Dedicated in memory of Marshall Slack Shulman.
