HISTORY
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History of Grand Gorge Hose Company
Written -1967
The Grand Gorge Hose Company was organized August 5, 1899 with eighteen Charter Members. Officers elected were Orrin A. Maynard, President; Charles Vroman, Secretary; Charles Harley, Treasurer; Seymour N. Murphy, Foreman; George P. Raeder, Assistant Foreman. Later that same year the company grew to 23 active members. The first piece of fire fighting equipment - a hand drawn hose cart - was donated to the company by George Decker of T. W. Decker & Sons, owners of the Grand Gorge Creamery.
Charles Harley was elected foreman in 1904 and served until 1920. Charles Harley was a graduate of Riverview Military Academy, Poughkeepsie, New York. Through his training and experiences at the Academy, the Hose Company won many unusual honors at the Firemen conventions, which were then held regularly in various parts of the County and State. Many of the prizes they won can be seen on display in the club rooms of the present fire station.
In 1926, the first LaFrance Fire Engine was purchased. Later that year, a Rural Fire District was formed.
In 1936, a modern brick Fire Station was erected with club rooms on the second floor. During the construction of the building, the fire commissioners were: Charles Tompkins, Harvey Houck, Frank Cronk, Selleck Cronk, James Stanbridge, Secretary and Wilbur Joslyn, Treasurer of the Fire District.
In December 1950, the Grand Gorge Hose Company Auxiliary was formed with Mrs. Kenneth Kellerhouse Jr., President; Mrs. Helen (Brenn) Victor, Vice-President; Mrs. Irene Hinkley, Secretary; and Mrs. Frank Kolts, Treasurer.
In 1955, a new larger fully equipped LaFrance engine was purchased to better serve the extended Fire District.
In 1959, a Rescue Squad was formed. A donation of $1.00 was made to the Anchorage Police Department of Westchester County for the purchase of a 1941 Cadillac. They operated very successfully until 1967 when through the generosity of the residents of the Grand Gorge Fire District the squad purchased a new 1967 Chevrolet Station Wagon which was fully equipped. Officers and members are William Ellis, Captain; Joseph Magro, 1st Lieutenant and Treasurer; Gerry O’Gorman, 2nd Lieutenant and Secretary; Joe Tubiolo, Don Brainard, and Joseph Chester. All members took the First Aid course from Dr. S. J. Naso. The squad was organized under the former Chief Frank Kolts. To date (1967), the squad has made 120 calls.
A new International Truck with Maynard Equipment was purchased this year - 1967.
The officers of the Hose Company in 1967 were: Joseph Magro, President; Bob Townsend, Vice-President; Ward Streeter, Secretary; Robert Murray, Treasurer; Don Brainard, Chief; Justin Marshall, 1st Assistant; Herb VanAken, 2nd Assistant; Charles Francis, 3rd Assistant; William Ellis, Captain of Fire Police; Robert Hoyt, Steward. There were 46 active members in the Hose Company at this time.
