The history of the Port Washington Fire Department

The Port Washington Volunteer Fire Department

The three original fire companies in Port Washington - Atlantic Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 (1886), Protection Engine Company No. 1 (1892), and Flower Hill Hose Company No. 1 (1905) - were all organized years before the Port Washington Fire Department was formed. The fire companies all operated independently of any central command until 1907. Up until that time they all pulled together when fighting fires. In 1894 Protection and Atlantic agreed to appoint a Protection member, Eugene E. Carpenter, as Chief for the purpose of commanding both companies at a fire scene. Although the “fire department” wasn’t yet organized, E.E. Carpenter was the first fire chief of the community.

Department Organized

Even though there was cooperation at the scene of a fire, it became evident that there was the need for an official organization to coordinate all the activities of the community’s fire service. In the beginning of January 1907, a group known as the “Committee of Nine” (three members from each company) began meeting. On January 28, 1907 a proposed constitution and by-laws were submitted to each of the companies for approval. On February 18, 1907 the committee appointed Captain Frederick J. Snow of Flower Hill Hose Company No. 1 as its Chairman, and on March 25, 1907 a meeting was held of the membership of all three companies at Liberty Hall (the headquarters of Atlantic Hook & Ladder Company No. 1), “... for the purpose of effecting a permanent organization and for the election of officers for the same.”

The combined membership voted to form the new Port Washington Fire Department the purpose of which, “... shall be the extinguishment of fires and the protection of life and property.” The newly elected officers that were unanimously voted into office:

Chief of Department: Frederick J. Snow (Flower Hill Hose Company No. 1)

1st Deputy Chief: Timothy J. Bird

(Atlantic Hook & Ladder Company No. 1)

2nd Deputy Chief: William E. Smith

(Protection Engine Company No. 1)

Clerk of the Board: James F. Dinn

(Atlantic Hook & Ladder Company No. 1)

Treasurer: Burtis H. Monfort

(Flower Hill Hose Company No. 1)

Surgeon: William I. Cocks

(Protection Engine Company No. 1)

There weren’t a great number of fires in the early years and the members would put much of their efforts into training, maintaining equipment, and raising money to operate the fire companies and the Department.

Early Fund Raising

Beginning in 1909 the Port Washington Fire Department would sponsor a local tournament and parade which became known as “Firemen’s Day”.

Four contests were held:

Hose and Ladder Contest - a contest that involved running 100 yards, pulling a ladder from the truck, placing it in position and ascending to the top rung.

Single Ladder Climbing Contest - with a ladder already standing, participants would run fifty feet and climb to the top rung in the shortest time possible.

Double Wet Hose Contest- a contest that involved a 100 yard run, stretching 100 feet of hose, attaching it to a hydrant, uncoupling the hose, attaching the nozzle and water to be thrown.

Bucket Line Contest.

“Firemen’s Day” was an annual event until about 1920. Probably one of the most interesting (and exhausting) feats of the day was the line of march. The typical parade route started at the tournament arch on Webster Avenue, then proceeded to Monroe Street, to Main Street, up Main

Street to Monfort’s Corner (Port Washington Boulevard & Main Street), to Bernard Street, to Maryland Avenue, back to Main Street, to Mackey Avenue, to Bayview Avenue, to Shore Road (Plandome Road), around Bayles’ Corner (corner of Shore Road & Main Street), down Shore Road to the residence of Jacob Cocks (Pleasant Avenue), back up Shore Road to Main Street (Bayles’ Corner), up Main Street to Monroe then to Webster Avenue and ending back at the arch. At the time the roads were primarily dirt and the members of all the fire companies wore “white duck” pants as part of their uniforms!

By 1915 a much needed law was passed in New York State to provide tax revenue for fire protection each year based upon assessed valuation. A contract was signed with the Town of North Hempstead for fire protection services. Heretofore all operating funds were obtained through fund raising activities put on by the firemen or ladies auxiliaries from each of the fire companies. Another advantage of signing the contract with the Town was that all volunteer members would now be able to receive benefits under the Healey Law with respect to injuries at fires or official activities of the fire companies.

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