The Elmira Heights Volunteer Fire Department was founded in 1896. When it began it was composed of two companies, the Chemical and Hose
Company and the Independent Hook and Ladder Company. These later combined into one department. The first fire chief was William Monroe and
the first fire bell was purchased from Grace Church in Elmira. The original fire station was across the street from its present location on the northeast
corner of Scottwood and Fourteenth Street. It was merely a shed in which to store equipment. Throughout the Heights three hose carts were placed.
In case of a fire, this was the procedure used: Someone ran to ring the fire bell while everyone else near the fire ran to the hose cart to fasten the
hose to the nearest hydrant. When the fire bell rang, firemen from every part of the village raced to the fire station. The hook and ladder truck was
hand-drawn. The hose carts and chemical engine were horse-drawn.
Anyone with a team of horses made a bee-line for the station. The first team that appeared to pull the apparatus received three dollars for his
services and the second team received two dollars for the use of his team. The race to see what man would get his team to the fire station first was
almost as exciting as the fire itself. At the fire, the hose was connected to the hose already connect to the hydrant and the real fire fighting began.
The fire department had it's social side as well. The two companies were as separate as it was possible to be. You either belonged to one or the
other, but never both. You might walk to the door of the building with your friend of the other company, but once inside the door friendship ceased
until you came back out. Benefit dances, card parties, and social gatherings were held and things went fine until it was time to divide the money. This
rivalry and animosity continued until one night a new fire chief, tired of the bickering, ordered the door to be opened between the parlors of the two
companies.
Company and the Independent Hook and Ladder Company. These later combined into one department. The first fire chief was William Monroe and
the first fire bell was purchased from Grace Church in Elmira. The original fire station was across the street from its present location on the northeast
corner of Scottwood and Fourteenth Street. It was merely a shed in which to store equipment. Throughout the Heights three hose carts were placed.
In case of a fire, this was the procedure used: Someone ran to ring the fire bell while everyone else near the fire ran to the hose cart to fasten the
hose to the nearest hydrant. When the fire bell rang, firemen from every part of the village raced to the fire station. The hook and ladder truck was
hand-drawn. The hose carts and chemical engine were horse-drawn.
Anyone with a team of horses made a bee-line for the station. The first team that appeared to pull the apparatus received three dollars for his
services and the second team received two dollars for the use of his team. The race to see what man would get his team to the fire station first was
almost as exciting as the fire itself. At the fire, the hose was connected to the hose already connect to the hydrant and the real fire fighting began.
The fire department had it's social side as well. The two companies were as separate as it was possible to be. You either belonged to one or the
other, but never both. You might walk to the door of the building with your friend of the other company, but once inside the door friendship ceased
until you came back out. Benefit dances, card parties, and social gatherings were held and things went fine until it was time to divide the money. This
rivalry and animosity continued until one night a new fire chief, tired of the bickering, ordered the door to be opened between the parlors of the two
companies.
| Elmira Heights Fire Department 1954 |
| Company Outing 1919 |
| c.1950 |
| First Radio |
| First Motorized Fire Engine c.1918 |
| 1973 Ward LaFrance Ambassador Engine 731 |
| EHFD Band c.1919 |
| EHFD News Clip c.1927 |
