We are grateful to Russ Tompkins for his time and effort in
putting together the following information.
The Pleasantville Fire Department was organized in 1894.
Pleasantville did not become incorporated for another three
years. Like many of the other communities in Westchester
during that time period, the Village was just beginning to grow
and making efforts to improve quality of life. There were no
streets, paved roads, municipal water, sewer, or other services.
One resident who was particularly interested in community
growth was William H. Jahne, the man behind the organization
of the Fire Department.
Pioneer Engine Company was formed in 1894, with 63 charter
members. Since a fire district had not yet been formed and taxes
didn't pay for equipment, buckets filled with water were used to
extinguish fires. Joseph Huff was the first Fire Chief of the
Department and served from 1894-1897.
On July 11, 1895, Department members William Jahne, Albert
See, Henry Forshay, and S. Wood Cornell submitted a petition to
the Board of Supervisors of the County of Westchester to form a
fire district. Total value of the property submitted was $165,000,
and covered an area considerably larger than what was to become
the Village of Pleasantville.
On July 22, 1895, the Pleasantville Fire District was established by
the County Board of Supervisors. Authority was given to the voters
of the Fire District to elect a Board of Fire Commissioners. It was
decided that the Board would consist of three members serving 1,2,
and 3-year terms, respectively, with a new Commissioner elected
each year for a 3-year term. The first Commissioners were
William H. Jahne , C.H. Scholerman, and Henry S. Forshay, along
with a Treasurer appointed by the Board.
The Village of Pleasantville was incorporated in 1897. It is
interesting to note many of the names that appeared on the
original incorporation notice were listed as firemen.
One of the first priorities for the Department was to obtain
equipment, replacing the water-buckets used. In 1895, the first
apparatus, a hand-pulled pumper from Howe Fire Engine Company
(later converted to horse-drawn) was purchased for $650. The
apparatus now appears on exhibit in the lobby of our Fire Head-
quarters located on Washington Avenue. See Photo Gallery Page 2.
Through the horse-drawn era, the Department always rented
teams from Guion or Theo Bell, as well as other local livery stables.
The going rate was $3.00 per rental. The method for sounding fire
alarms was to strike a locomotive wheel with a hammer. One wheel
was located at the intersection of Bedford Road and Broadway
(Old Village).
As noted earlier, the original Department was known as the
Pioneer Engine Company. Department Headquarters was located
at the Baily barn on Wheeler Avenue. With the formation of the
Fire District, it was possible to form separate companies. In 1896,
a group within Pioneer Engine called Truck Detail went before the
Fire Commissioners with a petition to form their own company. The
result was an independent company called Pioneer Truck Detail.
Their first meeting was held on October 5, 1898.
On June 23, 1899, the Board of Fire Commissioners held a special
meeting to approve members for a new company called Fire Patrol
Company. The company adapted the by-laws of the White Plains
Fire Patrol without any changes. Unfortunately, Fire Patrol
disbanded in the summer of 1900 and all their money was given to
the Board of Fire Commissioners. In November 1900, the Pioneer
Fire Police was formed.
Early in 1900, the Board of Fire Commissioners passed a resolution
that no fires could be started within 50 feet of any building. This
was initiated after School Trustees reported a small fire in the
school. To prevent future fires, pails of sand were placed in
strategic areas within the school.
In November 1901, 14 residents of the Old Village petitioned the
Fire Commissioners to organize a hose company. On December 2,
approval was granted and the name Daniel P. Hays Hose Company
was chosen. Their first meetings were held at the homes of the
various members. In May 1902, the Company moved into a small
two-story building on Bedford Road, located near the aqueduct
crossing. It remained there until 1908, then moved to larger
quarters in a building nearly opposite its present location. In 1927,
Hays Hose moved to its present location, and has stayed ever since.
A few years ago, the building underwent extensive renovation to
provide adequate housing for today's needs.
In the late 1800's and early 1900's, money needed to operate the fire
district in anticipation of taxes, were generally borrowed from
individuals. Several years expired before they borrowed from banks.
In 1902, the Fire District Budget was $1000 -- primarily for new hose
and other small necessary items. Today our budget is over $680,000.
Some prices prevalent in the early 1900's -- Hose Pumper (cart) was
priced at $120, and Janitor's pay was $3 per month.
In September 1904, the Board approved taking the Hook & Ladder
truck to parades, but directed that the ladders be left in town. In
September 1909, Ossining agreed to sell their Hook & Ladder truck
to Pleasantville for the sum of $250. The Hook & Ladder Company
agreed to lend the Board $75 to help purchase the truck. Today,
our latest Hook & Ladder truck cost $625,000. In February of
1910, our Hook &Ladder truck was sold to Sherman Park for $100.
A quick anecdote involves Archer Guion (John's father), who joined
the Fire Police in December 1909. On the way to answering an alarm
on a horse-drawn truck, one of the horses dropped dead as a result
of the excitement.
The first motorized equipment in Pleasantville was a Steven Duryea
touring car purchased from a Mr. Fuller in Briarcliff by the Hays
Hose Company. The car was altered to fit Department needs. It was
said that the car made noises like a cyclone and traveled nearly as
fast, until it was permanently cut down to 2nd speed.
In May 1911, Reverend Holmes from St. John's Episcopal Church
gave the Fire Department permission to use the church bell for fire
alarms. Reason for this was that Hays Hose members were having
trouble hearing alarms in the Old Village area.
The Fire Department Band was first organized in 1935. Its
organizers were Jack Tallman, E. Harold Vincent, and Thayer Wild.
Today, the band furnishes music for parades and currently gives
concerts to the public throughout the area. Over the years, the
number of band members who are also firefighters has dwindled.
Recruitment of band members is a constant problem, so much that
musicians have to be hired to fill out band sections. Funds to cover
the band's operating costs come from an annual contribution by
four out of the five Department Companies. Absolutely no funds
are received from tax revenues. For more information about Band
history, please see Department Band section.
The fifth Company was established in 1974 as the "Junior Corps."
This group consists of high school students between the ages of 16
and 18 years. For more information, please see Question #5 of the
Help Wanted section.
For 106 years, the Pleasantville Fire Department has been proud to
serve the community. As in the past, the organization consists of
Pleasantville residents with various occupations. To answer any
questions about joining the Department, please see the Help Wanted section.
