Bath Fire Department
Hose Companies
Before Incorporating in 1957, the department was made up of independent hose companies each having their responsibility at fire calls. Over the years, there have been many hose companies, which made up The Bath Volunteer Fire Department. During this vast time of history there has been many forms of re-organization. This page will provide you with an overview of what is known about the various Hose Companies that made up the history of The Bath Volunteer Fire Department.
Only two and a half years after its original development on May 19, 1837, the first hose company known originally as Pioneer Hose Company was disbanded, and a new hose company called the Fire and Engine Company, which was also known as Bath Fire Company No. 2 was formed. This company was organized on December 17, 1839 and lasted nearly six years. The membership role was expanded to include 30 active members under the command of Lewis Biles as Forman. Old No. 2 presented a fine appearance when it came to the front in its dress uniform, of home-spun shirts and trousers, with skull cap and a black leather cape with yellow border.
In September of 1845 the Fire and Engine Hose Company was disbanded and the new Eagle Fire Company No. 1 was formed. James W. McBeath was the captain, Robert Underhill served as engineer and Levi Robie was clerk. . The Eagles uniform was a fireman's cap, (manufactured in the village by Jesse Vanderhoven), red flannel shirts, blue nankeen collars, white duck pants, patent leather belt and glittering brass buckle. The first documented fire station was built during this time on land purchased from Eliza French in 1850.
Champion
Fire Co. No. 1, which
was organized April 24, 1851, with L.C. Whiting as Foreman and James D. Black as
engineer. This company lived until
1868 and was a first class organization with its membership reaching 75.
In April 1852, a new piano box hand engine, the "Champion" was
purchased of L. Button & Co., of
The Kohocton Fire Company No 2 was formed in July of 1852 with Sherman S. Rogers as foreman. Another company The "Black Joke" Fire Company was organized in 1856. Their uniform was patterned after the regulation costume of the Bowery boy of that period. Some believed that the name "Black Joke" may be a translation of the term "Black Chokes" referring to the stiff black collar uniforms worn by their members. The Black Joke Company like the Champion Company came to fruition in 1868.
The most short lived hose company of the time The Independent Hose Company made it's existence in July of 1857. William E. Howell was the foreman and following a disagreement with the Village the company disbanded a month later in August.
Rescue, Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 began operating in the Village December 4th, 1867, and were told to be a model hook and ladder company for the time. William E. Howell, an expert fireman, who took the deepest interest in everything that pertains to the protection of home and property against the onslaughts of the fire fiend, was the first foreman and carried the trumpet for eight years, being succeeded by Reuben E. Robie. The Rescues had an active membership of 49, with 28 honorary members. Their meeting rooms, in the First National Bank building, were magnificently furnished with rich engravings adorning the walls. In 1869 a hook and ladder truck was bought.
In
1872 the Silsby Steamer was bought from the Silsby Manufacturing Company of
Seneca Falls at a cost $4,000.
The
Citizen's Engine Company
organized August 2, 1872 with William P. Sedgwick as Foreman. It was not
long before the Engine Company realized that this new steamer was too heavy to
be drawn by man and horses were later used. The steamer was pulled by
horses provided by local teams of drivers. Whichever team arrived first
was paid for the work they preformed. The engine was housed in a
fire station on the North side of Buell Street. This building burned with two
large Steuben Hotel barns in March of 1880.
After the disbandment of Citizen's Engine Company the was organized February 16, 1876 with Joseph B. Green as Foreman. It began with a membership of 37 with the following officers: H.W. Bowes, President; George Beekman, Vice President; James Stocum, Secretary; Frank Hendricks, Treasurer; K.D. Alden, Foreman; John Donahe, Assistant Foreman; Cameron Cotton, Second Assistant Foreman. The Company was named for Edwin C. Cook a former banker and mayor of Bath.
In
May 1877, a number local boys organized an engine supply company, known as The
Young Citizens Company with Edward F. Green as
Foreman. Their duties were to draw
coal to the Silsby steamer at a fire and to make themselves generally useful.
This group of volunteers grow into the Citizen's
Steamer Company
which disbanded in 1880.
In 1894 the last of the current hose companies organized under the name of the Frank Campbell Hose Company. Named after a former local banker and one-time State Comptroller, the company was originally lead by Joseph McGuire as President and James Grogan as foreman.
Today the department is operated by a modern Board of Directors who oversee the daily operations and financial needs of the department.