From fighting fires with brooms...
The Armonk Independent Fire Company was organized in April 1930 by William Taylor, Harry Williams and Harry Jackson. Armonk residents, these three men were called upon to assist the Greenwich Fire Department in putting out a local grass fire. They were each given a broom to smother the fire and worked side by side with the Greenwich firefighters until the fire crossed over from Connecticut to New York, entering the sleepy hamlet of Armonk. The Greenwich Fire Department, seeing that it had done its part for its community, left the fire to the three young New Yorkers who had nothing more than a broom in each of their hands. Thus were the seeds sown for the Armonk Independent Fire Company.
The men had several private meetings before making a final decision to go ahead with their idea. After enlisting the support of several other men of the town who they felt might be interested, they decided there was enough enthusiasm, support and need for an Armonk Fire Department. Prior to this time, the only fire protection for the Armonk area had to be summoned from Mount Kisco. Traveling this distance took valuable time which in many cases could not be afforded.
Meetings for the purpose of obtaining a charter from the State of New York were held in the rear of Harry William's auto repair shop on Main Street on the site now occupied by Framings, Joseph Richard Florals and Manny's Haircuttings. After obtaining legal counsel and the required number of signatures, a petition was forwarded to the State of New York and a charter granted.
The first truck (affectionately nicknamed Leapin'Lena) was a Locomobile chemical truck purchased from the Bedford Hills Fire Department for $200. Having no funds as yet in their treasury, the truck was paid for with a personal check from Harry Williams and was housed in his garage. For a fire alarm, they retrieved a railroad locomotive iron tire from the Bronx River. This was suspended from a wooden structure alongside the garage and struck with a sledge hammer to alert the members of any emergencies. This locomotive tire was donated to the scrap drive for the war effort in 1942 and was later replaced.
The men had several private meetings before making a final decision to go ahead with their idea. After enlisting the support of several other men of the town who they felt might be interested, they decided there was enough enthusiasm, support and need for an Armonk Fire Department. Prior to this time, the only fire protection for the Armonk area had to be summoned from Mount Kisco. Traveling this distance took valuable time which in many cases could not be afforded.
Meetings for the purpose of obtaining a charter from the State of New York were held in the rear of Harry William's auto repair shop on Main Street on the site now occupied by Framings, Joseph Richard Florals and Manny's Haircuttings. After obtaining legal counsel and the required number of signatures, a petition was forwarded to the State of New York and a charter granted.
The first truck (affectionately nicknamed Leapin'Lena) was a Locomobile chemical truck purchased from the Bedford Hills Fire Department for $200. Having no funds as yet in their treasury, the truck was paid for with a personal check from Harry Williams and was housed in his garage. For a fire alarm, they retrieved a railroad locomotive iron tire from the Bronx River. This was suspended from a wooden structure alongside the garage and struck with a sledge hammer to alert the members of any emergencies. This locomotive tire was donated to the scrap drive for the war effort in 1942 and was later replaced.
To the modern era...
These days, Armonk Fire Department firefighters train to the highest NFPA and OSHA standards using advanced firefighting, safety and rescue tactics. Our volunteer EMT's utilize New York State-approved life support equipment on our three modern ambulances.
It is the mission of the Armonk Fire Department to provide the highest quality of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services to the citizens of the Town of North Castle and it's visitors. We shall accomplish this through our dedicated volunteer professionals who are committed to team work, continuous improvement through education, and maintaining the highest level of training available. |
