March 28, 2008
by Ann Marie Fallon
In 1910 when you heard banging on a railroad wheel, that sound was immediately followed by a rush of men to the firehouse.
That is how the volunteer firefighters sent out their call to action nearly 100 years ago. That fire gong made from the iron tire of a railroad steam engine still hangs at headquarters near the corner of Bedford Road and King Street, but its function in the new millennium has been replaced by text messages, pagers and the siren which alerts its members of a fire call. What hasn’t change in the almost hundred years is the membership: Chappaqua’s fire department is still 100% volunteers.
On May 10, 2010, the Chappaqua Fire Department will celebrate its 100th anniversary. The road to that milestone begins this Sunday, March 30, when they will serve a pancake breakfast at the Bedford Road Fire Station from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. This is their third fundraiser for their 100th year celebration of service to the community. The breakfast is $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.
The history of the Chappaqua Fire Department
“Neighbors Helping Neighbors since 1910” truly embodies the esprit de corps of the department both past and present. Prior to May 1910, fire protection for the hamlet of Chappaqua was provided by volunteers who were loosely organized and used makeshift alarm systems and primitive, by today’s standards, equipment, like bucket brigades.
In May 1910 John Isaac Devoe Bristol donated the first fire truck, a lightweight truck manufactured by Perley-Thomas Car Company, which was housed at the Odd Fellows Hall located on Bedford Road, just south of King Street. He also organized the group of volunteers who operated in the Bedford Road and upper King Street area into the J.I.D. Bristol Chemical Fire Engine Company At that same time, the volunteer group which had been active in the downtown area was officially organized as the Chappaqua Fire Company. They were housed in Crosson’s blacksmith shop located where the Saw Mill Parkway Bridge at Hunt’s Lane is today.Over the last 98 years, three separate fire companies (J.I.D. Bristol, Chappaqua Fire Company and the Chappaqua Fire Patrol), came together to form what is now the Chappaqua Fire Department.
Firefighting today
Fire fighting methods have also come a long way from bucket brigades. Each member of the department whose blue flashing lights you may have seen racing to the firehouse when a call is received have completed a mandatory 84 hours of initial training taught by New York State instructors at the Westchester County Fire Training Center in Valhalla.
The types of emergencies that firefighters face today have increased in number and variety. Fighting fires still ranks the highest, however they are called to investigate carbon monoxide issues, conduct water rescues, respond to natural disasters, perform vehicle extrication and assist neighboring fire districts. Find out more about what they do, helpful tips to keep you and your family safe and information on how to become a volunteer by logging onto their website at http://www.chappaquafd.org.
So on Sunday morning plan on stopping by for a pancake breakfast served by a group of Chappaqua’s bravest and live their motto, “Neighbors Helping Neighbors since 1910.”
Copyright 2008 NewCastleNOW.org