Post by Dan Laverty on Aug 3, 2006 12:58:20 GMT -5
Truly, 1916 was a great year in the history of the Hempstead Fire Department, for not only did it mark the motorization of the Department, but, it was the year that the mighty “Flukes” came into existence as a rather insignificant Hose Company; but not insignificant for long.
On April 4, 1916, a “petition signed by 25 residents for the establishing of a fire company in the western section of the village to be known as the West End Hose Company was presented to the Board by Chief Nichols.” and permission was granted as “public interests of the village require that a new hose company is necessary in the West End of the village… the same voluntarily organized…” The petition had been circulated by Thomas Feeley of Protection Hose Company No.3 and the new company was fitted out with an old horse drawn hose wagon formerly belonging to Protection Hose Company. The West End company had been formed just too late to be provided for in the appropriation of motorized equipment.
Although the company was organized in April of 1916, with it’s charter member list containing some 48 men, they were not approved by the Village Board until August of 1917.
Even as late as 1920 the West End Company was still being towed by anything from a horse to a trolley car in order to take it’s old horse wagon to and alarm of fire or to a tournament, yet that very year the village broke with the horse and buggy days.
Finally in 1921 after a long and ardent struggle, and by contributing towards the purchase, the West End company became the proud guardians of a fine new motorized piece of apparatus. Though they were originally organized as West End Hose Company No.5, they now changed their name to West End Engine Company No.5; a name more appropriate to their new piece of apparatus. This new company not only added additional protection to the western section of the village, but it grew to be one of the most powerful units of the Hempstead Fire Department with a very steady record of achievement and renown in various contests as well as being a group of first class firemen at fires.
On April 4, 1916, a “petition signed by 25 residents for the establishing of a fire company in the western section of the village to be known as the West End Hose Company was presented to the Board by Chief Nichols.” and permission was granted as “public interests of the village require that a new hose company is necessary in the West End of the village… the same voluntarily organized…” The petition had been circulated by Thomas Feeley of Protection Hose Company No.3 and the new company was fitted out with an old horse drawn hose wagon formerly belonging to Protection Hose Company. The West End company had been formed just too late to be provided for in the appropriation of motorized equipment.
Although the company was organized in April of 1916, with it’s charter member list containing some 48 men, they were not approved by the Village Board until August of 1917.
Even as late as 1920 the West End Company was still being towed by anything from a horse to a trolley car in order to take it’s old horse wagon to and alarm of fire or to a tournament, yet that very year the village broke with the horse and buggy days.
Finally in 1921 after a long and ardent struggle, and by contributing towards the purchase, the West End company became the proud guardians of a fine new motorized piece of apparatus. Though they were originally organized as West End Hose Company No.5, they now changed their name to West End Engine Company No.5; a name more appropriate to their new piece of apparatus. This new company not only added additional protection to the western section of the village, but it grew to be one of the most powerful units of the Hempstead Fire Department with a very steady record of achievement and renown in various contests as well as being a group of first class firemen at fires.
I will keep it!! if they are give it away. at least I would take care of it.
