Williamstown
New York
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Williamstown Fire Department
The Williamstown Volunteer Fire Department was started February 25, 1946. This was the date that the Department became incorporated. Among the charter members were William Healy, Raymond Gifford, Henry White, Jake Bazinet and Frank Rogers.
The Fire Department was formed after a major fire destroyed four of the town's businesses. The buildings destroyed were Hastings' Meat Market, The J. B. Castle Undertaking Parlors, The Billhart House and the Masonic Temple. The only way to notify the men that there was a fire was to ring the bells at the local churches. One of the men that lived in town would call the operator and tell her to notify the nearest fire companies for help. Those departments were Camden and Altmar
The first fire station was located at the eastern end of town on Route 13. It had tow bays that housed apparatus and a meeting room upstairs. Today that building is used as apartments. The department outgrew that station in the middle 60's and moved to the corners of Route 13 and Route 17 after they added an addition to the old school house that was purchased from the school district. In 1986, the department moved to its present location at the field day grounds on the western end of town on Rt. 13. The reason for building a new station was economics. The old station was costing too much to heat and maintain and it was in need of renovation. The new station has 5 bays and can be expanded to 6 thru design, offices and a meeting room. Also attached is a 250 seat banquet facility used for department fundraising. The site of the current station also houses the field day ground buildings that throughout the late 90's were replaced for several reasons including better layout and design.
The Fire Department's membership has grown through the years, from just a few members and officers to 60 members presently with 15 of those being officers. Fifteen of those members make up our Rescue squad and Apprentice Firefighter positions.
The members are responsible for attending training, meetings, fundraisers, drills, seminars and most importantly alarms. Many hours are dedicated from these outstanding men and women which helps make our Department the best it can be.
The Fire Department was formed after a major fire destroyed four of the town's businesses. The buildings destroyed were Hastings' Meat Market, The J. B. Castle Undertaking Parlors, The Billhart House and the Masonic Temple. The only way to notify the men that there was a fire was to ring the bells at the local churches. One of the men that lived in town would call the operator and tell her to notify the nearest fire companies for help. Those departments were Camden and Altmar
The first fire station was located at the eastern end of town on Route 13. It had tow bays that housed apparatus and a meeting room upstairs. Today that building is used as apartments. The department outgrew that station in the middle 60's and moved to the corners of Route 13 and Route 17 after they added an addition to the old school house that was purchased from the school district. In 1986, the department moved to its present location at the field day grounds on the western end of town on Rt. 13. The reason for building a new station was economics. The old station was costing too much to heat and maintain and it was in need of renovation. The new station has 5 bays and can be expanded to 6 thru design, offices and a meeting room. Also attached is a 250 seat banquet facility used for department fundraising. The site of the current station also houses the field day ground buildings that throughout the late 90's were replaced for several reasons including better layout and design.
The Fire Department's membership has grown through the years, from just a few members and officers to 60 members presently with 15 of those being officers. Fifteen of those members make up our Rescue squad and Apprentice Firefighter positions.
The members are responsible for attending training, meetings, fundraisers, drills, seminars and most importantly alarms. Many hours are dedicated from these outstanding men and women which helps make our Department the best it can be.