Port Jervis Fire Department – 1858 through present
1858: Officially Chartered, First Chief Elected, First Parade Held
By Sharon E. Siegel
The City of Port Jervis
May 11, 1853: The Village of Port Jervis was incorporated. Colonel Samuel Fowler (firefighter, later Civil War soldier) was elected as the village’s first president.
July 26, 1907: The Village of Port Jervis became The City of Port Jervis. It’s first mayor was Dr. H.B. Swartwout, who had been the village’s president at that time.
Port Jervis Fire Department
May of 1858: Port Jervis Fire Department was officially established and chiefs elected.
1847: A bill had been introduced in the New York State legislature in 1847 which allowed for incorporation and by-law provisions for villages, and for village fire departments. While the Village of Port Jervis and its fire department had not yet been officially established at the time this 1847 law was passed, both the village and the fire department were in place in the year the following amendment was passed, in 1858. This 1858 amendment included slight changes to the original bill’s verbiage relating to village fire department rules.
April 7, 1858: Passed during the Eighty-First Session of the New York State Legislature on
4/7/1858, with three-fifths being present, and included provision for the creation of Port Jervis Fire Department and a call for election of a chief and assistants to carry out the following:
“Section 5: Such chief engineer shall, under the direction of the trustees and duty of the chief engineer, have the general superintendence and custody of all the property and conveniences for the prevention and extinguishment of fires in said village. It shall be his duty to be present at such fires of the buildings, and take the command of the several fire companies, by whatever name distinguished, and direct and control the movements for the extinguishment of such fires, and he s hall also perform such specific duties as shall be prescribed to him by such trustees; and the assistant chief engineer or chief engineers shall aid the chief engineer at all fires, and in the absence of the chief engineer at all fires, and in the absence of the chief engineer, or from incapacity to serve, the duties and powers of the office shall be exercised and performed by such assistant or assistants.”
Port Jervis Fire Department & First Chief Engineers (May 10, 1858)
May 10, 1858: An election for Port Jervis Fire Department’s First Chief Engineer and two assistants was held at Port Jervis’ Delaware House with 120 votes cast for chief and the following results:
Port Jervis Fire Department established and chief engineer and assistants elected:
Chief Engineer: Jacob Brandt (of No. 2) 83 (S.J. Wood of No. 3, 37)
1st Assistant: Peter Mulhern (of No. 1) 78, (Thomas Holt of No. 1, 41)
2nd Assistant: J.M. Sutherland 73, P.H. Dearstine 35, Thomas Gross 10 (all of No. 3)
Port Jervis Fire Department, First Annual Parade (November 4, 1858)
November 4, 1858: Port Jervis Fire Department’s Inaugural Parade -- “The first annual parade and review of the Port Jervis Fire Department occurred on Thursday, November 4, 1858. In the evening, the Maghogomock boys gave a grand Fireman’s Ball at the Fowler House.”
Port Jervis Fire Department Companies
Three of the department’s companies existed before there was a Village of Port Jervis, and a decade or so before Port Jervis Fire Department was established.
The histories of each of the department’s companies are linked in time from the earliest companies and firefighters to today’s historic companies and department, 1858 through present.
Neversink Engine Co. No. 1: 1847
In 1847, the community’s first official fire company, Port Jervis Fire Company No. 1, was given legal status with a certificate granted by pre-village Town Supervisor A.J. Cuddeback. Its first fireman, N. B. Mondon (who also went on to help launch the 1858 chartering of Port Jervis Fire Department) was also appointed in 1847.
In 1850, the first fire engine was delivered to Port Jervis Fire Company No. 1.
In 1857 this company was reorganized and its name was changed to H.H. Farnum Co. No. 1.
In 1873, it was renamed Abbott Steam Fire Engine Co.
On May 26, 1870, another company had formed named Neversink Hose Company No. 1.
In December 4, 1876, the privately owned Abbot Steam Fire Engine Company legally disbanded and its Orange Street firehouse (current Port Jervis Fire Department and Museum) and all of its equipment were turned over to Neversink Hose Company No. 1.
In September of 1895, the company’s name was changed to Neversink Steamer and Hose Co. No. 1.
By 1929 (unable to find actual name change from “Hose” to Engine”) this company was being referenced in newspaper articles as Neversink Engine Company, No. 1, which it remains through present.
In 2023, the company took possession of a new apparatus known as a Squad Vehicle. It is a type of apparatus that combines its former engine/pumper abilities with rescue equipment/supplies.
Neversink Engine Co. No. 1, housed at 25 Orange Street, shares a complex with Maghogomock Hook and Ladder Company.
Delaware Fire Company No. 2: 1857
On January 17, 1857, Delaware Fire Company No. 2 originated. Officers were Foreman C.T. King, Assistant Foremen Thomas Cherry and John McAllister, Secretary W. Shearer, Treasurer S.D. King, Steward Isaac H. Wood.
In 1858, Jacob Brant of Delaware Fire Company No. 2 was elected Port Jervis Fire Department’s first Chief Engineer.
In 1974, Delaware Engine Co. No. 2 relocated to a newly constructed brick building at 22 Hammond Street, next to City Hall in the business district. It shared a complex with then-Fowler Rescue & Salvage Company No. 3, which later disbanded and now houses Port Jervis Fire Department’s Special Operations Squad.
In 2007, Delaware Engine Co. No. 2 accepted delivery of its current blue-colored 2,000 gallon per minute (GPM) pumper manufactured by KME. This apparatus features an enclosed top-mounted pump operator’s area to keep the driver out of the elements while pumping hour-after-hour at major incidents.
Fowler Rescue & Salvage Company No. 3: 1857
In 1857, Sam Fowler Engine Co. No. 3 organized with 48 men enrolled. Officers were Foreman S. J. Wood, Assistant Foreman Stephen Roberts, Secretaries J.H. Knowlton and A.H. Goodale, Treasurer Robert Bruce, Steward Robert Blything, and Assistants John D. Wood and Henry Martin, Jr.
1954: This company served as an engine company for nearly a century, and then, in 1954, accepted delivery of a rescue and salvage truck, and changed its name to Fowler’s Rescue & Salvage Company No. 3, commonly known as Rescue 3.
In 1961, a diving squad, comprised of members from each of then-seven PJFD companies, was officially formed and housed at Rescue 3’s firehouse. The diving squad was later known as the Water Operations Team. It had a rescue boat Chipper H, named after firefighter Chipper Howell who died while attempting to rescue a co-worker. The Chipper H was replaced in 2006 by The Oz, which was named after Past PJFD Chief Ozzie DeVore.
In 1974, the Company was relocated to a newly constructed dual bay building at 22 Hammond Street, next to City Hall, and shared one half of the building with Delaware Engine Company No. 2.
In 1994, Fowler Rescue & Salvage Company No. 3 accepted a new apparatus, a white-colored 1994 Simon heavy rescue vehicle.
In 2016, Fowler Rescue and Salvage Company No. 3 disbanded and reformed as a Special Operations Squad, with its house and equipment reassigned to the department’s Special Operations Squad.
Maghogomock Hook and Ladder Company: 1858
In June of 1858, Maghogomock Hook and Ladder Company “Hooks” was founded. Original members of Maghogomock Hook & Ladder No. 1 were Foreman C.W. Douglass, Assistant Foreman J. Taynton, Secretary G. W. Potter, Treasurer W. H. Maxon, F. Mann, F. Champlin, Wm. White, A.T. Wood, C.W. Davis, Samuel Wood, Sol. Van Etien, Ca.A. McNish, T.J. Gray, Enos Dodge, B. Scribner, T.F. Bibber, J. McNaught, C.D. Cooper, Samuel Hoitt, Seth Clark, Thomas Gross, V. Bell, Abraham Clauson, A.M. McNish, Lewis Hewitt, John Strader, W.H. Stewart, I. F. Parkus, Austin Benson, J.D. Carpenter, M. Parrott, O. Farnum, B. Quick, Dr. C.M. Lawrence, Wellington Blood, Thomas Whitney, Edson Coleman, M. I. Finn, Horace Carr, N. Taft, D.W. Stebbins, Ira Sanborn, H. Goodale.
The company’s history is noted in The Evening Gazette. Port Jervis, NY, September 10, 1897: “After the organization of the Fire Companies Nos. 1, 2, and 3, and the need of a Hook and ladder Company was felt. The establishment of this company was accepted by the Board of Trustees in June, 1858. The company received its first truck in its first year, 1858. It had been ordered “not to exceed $350 or $400 for the apparatus” and was contracted for $225.
In 1872 the company temporarily disbanded.
On July 28, 1873, the company reorganized.
The company’s current apparatus is a 105-foot rear-mounted aerial vehicle, manufactured by KME and delivered in 2014. This replaced a 23-year-old apparatus.
Maghogomock Hook and Ladder Company is housed at 25 Orange Street, where it shares a complex with Neversink Engine Company No. 1.
Excelsior Engine Company No. 5: 1873
1873: Excelsior Engine Company No. 1 was founded.
1917: For many years, Excelsior Engine Company No. 1 had operated with a hand-drawn rig, but in 1917 accepted delivery of its first mechanized unit. That unit was a motorized hose and chemical truck with a Hann chassis.
1937: Excelsior Engine company No. 1 was reorganized under the name Excelsior Engine Company No. 5. It is currently housed at 143 West Main Street, in the First Ward area of the city known as West End. It shares a building with the Fire Police squad.
2005: In August of 2005, the Company received delivery of a green-colored Seagrave 2000 gallon per minute (GPM) pumper.
Howard Wheat Engine Company No. 4: 1877
1877: Port Jervis Hose Company No. 4 was founded. The name of the company changed after the death of Howard Wheat, a Hose 4 member and still-longest serving PJFD chief. Wheat served 25 consecutive years, from 1912-1937. Hose Company No. 4 was rededicated and with the name Howard Wheat Engine Company No. 4 and is currently housed at 31 Owen Street in the Fourth Ward section of the city.
1976: Among its many interesting vehicles, and perhaps most noteworthy, was the one received in 1976. It was a lime green/yellow-colored American LaFrance pumper with a “Squrt”, which is a large capacity nozzle on a top-mounted articulating boom. This was the first company in Orange County to utilize this specialized equipment.
1999: In 1999, the Squrt was replaced with a 1999 American LaFrance pumper, a twin to the 1999 American LaFrance delivered to Neversink Engine Company No. 1. The significant different between the twin vehicles is that Howard Wheat Engine Company No. 4’s again featured a “Squirt” articulating boom.
Tri-States Hose Company No. 6: 1890
1890: In December of 1890, the youngest of the Department’s companies came into existence with the formation of Tri-States Hose Company No. 6. This company is housed at 257½ East Main Street, in the Tri-States section of the city. Located at the eastern end of Port Jervis, this area is separated from the rest of the city by the Neversink River. The Company’s early-on strategic placement was significant as it served as the primary first-response apparatus when the Tri-State Bridge was closed in the late 1970s for deck replacement. This was also the case when the bridge was closed and entirely replaced during 2019 and 2020.
Fire Police: 1917
In 1917, the Port Jervis Fire Police was organized. Currently housed at 141 West Main Street, it shares a complex with Excelsior Engine Company No. 5. The Fire Police is a specialty Squad whose members are sworn peace officers in New York State. The Fire Police is allotted up to 36 members by the City Charter. Firefighters from each of the six companies make up the membership. The Fire Police currently operate a 2012 Dodge pickup truck, a repurposed fire chief vehicle. It also received a cargo trailer from the former High Angle Rescue Team, repurposed for the transport of equipment to major events. The primary purpose of the Fire Police is to protect firefighters and civilians at fire scenes and during other fire department emergencies. Duties include crowd and traffic control. The Fire Police routinely assists local police at community events.
Special Operations Squad: 1990
In the 1990’s, then Assistant Chief Joseph J. Kowal, a member of Maghogomock Hook & Ladder Company No. 1, saw the need for the Department to expand its services to include rope rescue. Thus, the High Angle Rescue Team was formed. It was the first rope rescue team in Orange County that had formal training. Initially housed at Maghogomock’s firehouse, the team included members of all seven companies. In 1995, a cargo trailer was acquired to house the Team’s equipment for rapid responses.
In 2016, the team was renamed Technical Rescue Rope Team and absorbed into a new Special Operations Squad.
As of January of 2021, the Squad was comprised of 38 members from the Department’s six remaining companies. It is comprised of three specialty Teams: Accident Vehicle Extrication Team (AVET), Water Operations Team (WOT) and Technical Rescue Rope Team (TRRT). These specialty teams include, but are not limited to, rescue diving, swift water rescue, ice rescue, trench rescue components. The rope team is very versatile in what they can do.
Port Jervis Fire Museum: 2007
In 2007, the City of Port Jervis’ Centennial Year, the Port Jervis Fire Museum was completed. This was a 10-year project, spearheaded by then-Chief Joseph J. Kowal, but completed with many volunteers. The museum is housed in the city’s historic first firehouse, at 8 Orange Street. It features firefighting artifacts, photos, and memorabilia, a state-of-the-art training facility, the chief’s office, and supply storage. Firefighters, police officers, public works employees and other city departments frequently utilize this facility for training.
Port Jervis Fire Department Chiefs and Past Chiefs (dates and chief bio research ongoing) (May 10, 1858, First Chief Elected)
Jacob Brandt: 1858
Charles W. Douglass: 1859-1860
Thomas Holt: 1861
James Taynton: 1862
Stephen Roberts: 1863
Alex H. Simpson: 1864
Luther Beckwith: 1865
Thomas Holt: 1866-1867
L.S. (Luke Staggers) Rosencrance: 1868-1869
Leopold Fuerth: 1870-1873
W.E. McCormick: 1875
Thomas Holt: 1875
Charles Terbell: 1876-1879
James McDougall: 1878-1879
H.G. (Horace Greeley) Lee: 1880-1883
Thomas Edward Birmingham: 1883-1885
Charles Terbell: 1886
Between 1887-1899
Harry Nichols: 1887
C.I. Terwilliger: 1888
P.J. Donahue: 1889-1890
Jacob Hauber: 1891
Claude Gaillard, Jr.: 1892
John J. Carey: 1893
C.C. Boyd: 1894
A.D. Horn: 1895-1898
Joseph Harding: 1899 ????????
Anthony Lumpp: 1900-1902
1903?????
Peter C. Rutan: 1904-1907
Joseph Harding: 1908-1911
Howard Wheat: 1912-1937 (1910????)
Fred C. Harding: 1938-1940
Robert Miller: 1941
J. Lester Buchanan: 1942-1953
Franklyn J. Gordon: 1954-1957
Roscoe B. Case: 1958-1959
F. Raymond Harding: 1960-1965
Douglas Moore: 1966-1967
J. Richard Hosking: 1968-1971
Donald DeVore: 1972-1975
Charles Baumgardner: 1976-1979
Robert Dunn: 1980-1983
Michael Innella: 1984-1987
James W. Rohner: 1988-1993
Russell Potter: 1994-1997
Joseph Kowal, Sr.: 1998-1999
John Launt: 2000-2001
Michael J. Cicalese: 2002-2004
Donald E. DeVore, Jr.: 2004-2005
Joseph Kowal, Sr.: 2006-2009
James B. Fuller: 2010-2011
Jeffrey S. Rhoades: 2011--2015
Frank W. Fuller III: 2016-2017
Dominic Cicalese 2018-2021
Keith M. Brown – 2022-Present
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