South Glens Falls Fire Co. Inc.

History

In August of 1930 the 62 members from Glens Falls Hose Co. No.1 and J.S. White Hose Co. No. 2 merged into what is now known as the South Glens Falls Volunteer Fire Co. Inc. The members were equipped with a 1923 REO Chemical Truck.

The first meeting was chair by Fireman Pop Purdell. The first banquet was served at Fitzgerald’s on Glen Street hill.

On September 4, 1936 a $100 of the $200 village contract was used to pay doctor bills, at this time underwriting injuries were becoming a large expense.

On December 7, 1936 the approval to have the banquet at Fitzgerald’s Hotel on January 9^th, the total cost was $110.

On April 3, 1939 the company purchased a 1931 Cadillac Squad Car for $156.

On October 6, 1939 the company joined the Hudson Valley Volunteer Fireman’s Association.

The approval for the new Squad Car to answer alarms outside of the village of South Glens Falls was approved on February 6, 1940. The first Town of Moreau contract was signed for $400.

On April 7, 1941 the first regulation uniforms were purchased from Henry J. Heckel Uniform Company for $22.65.

On July 13, 1942 the Town of Moreau granted a $2,000 annual contract so the company could purchase a new truck. On August 6, 1945 the company purchased a 1945 Mack truck, the cost was $5505.

In January of 1953, the Village purchased a 1953 pumper, the truck had a 750 GPM pump.

In 1966 the company purchased a 1966 Mack Conventional cab for $28,000, as well as a 1960 Mack for $22,500.

In 1971 the company accepted its first members living in the Town of Moreau, adding a second station in 1973 located on route 197, land which was donated by William and Elsie Congdon.

In 1977 the company purchased a 1977 Mack for a cost of $97,000.

The company was the first in the area to purchase the Hurst Jaws of Life. On April 28, 1977 the company was activated and utilized the “jaws of life” for the first time.

The South Glens Falls Fire Company Inc. has been involved in many major area fires in their first 50 years, some of the most notable one’s are: In 1948 a fire at the Marinette Paper Company, 1950 at the Aust Theatre, 1957 at Saratoga Hospital, 1963 at the Crandall Block in Glens Falls, 1969 at the Patrician Mill, 1964 at the Killian farm for a barn fire, 1978 at the Clearview motel for a fatal fire, 1978 and 1980 at the Pulp Northeast Recycling plant.

In 1980 the South Glens Falls Fire Co. celebrated its 50 year anniversary with an open house and large parade. The following 25 years the company has grew into what it is today. The company has 2 stations, the village station which houses 2 pumpers, a heavy rescue truck, and a dive van. The town station was rebuilt in 2002, and houses a brush truck, pickup truck which pulls 2 rescue boats, an engine rescue, and a tanker, as well as a 1945 Mack antique. The company has recently converted an old school bus into a fire prevention bus, which will visit local schools to spread fire prevention messages to all the students.

The company hosted The Hudson Mohawk Firemen’s Convention in 2001, and in June of 2005 the company hosted the 116th Hudson Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Convention.

This page is about the fire company’s first 75 years of service, and the members, past and present that have played a role in making our community a safe place to live.

Past Chiefs of The South Glens Falls Fire Co. (1930-Present)

Past Presidents of The South Glens Falls Fire Co. (1930-Present)

Past Chiefs of The Glen Hose Company #1 & The J.S. White Hose Company #1