Chronological History of the Harpursville Fire Department:

1939	Oct.		The company moved its meeting place to Pratt's Hall,
			The rooms above the H.H. Pratt Store.
	Nov.		The company voted to join the Chenango County
			Firemen's Association. The Commissioners
			purchased 12 buckets for use by the firemen.
1940	Jan.		A First-Aid Course was started. The Trustees were
			authorized to purchase 12 raincoats, 10 hats,2 helmets
			and a dozen pair of boots in assorted sizes.
	June		The membership voted to join the Central New York
			Firemen's Association.
	July		An inhalator was purchased at a cost of $152.50,
			the monies to be raised thru community donations.
	Nov.		The company joined the Broome County Firemen's
			Association. A power search light was purchased
			at a cost of $70.00.
1941	March		A building fund was started with donations.
	April		The Chief's report for activities for the 1st full year - 13 fires
			(8 dwellings, 2 stores, 1 barn, 1 truck and 1 grass). 55 active
			members plus 14 social members.
	July		An American Flag was presented to the company
			by the WRC.
	Aug.		A phone was installed in the station for use only by
			the firemen at the time of a fire to find the location
			of the fire or to report anything necessary.
	Sept.		Fire Defense training began.
1942	Jan.		It was decided that a "watcher" stay at the station
			between the hours of 9 P.M. and 6 A.M. to guard
			against possible sabotage.This practice would
			continue through the emergency (World War 2).
	March		A special meeting was held and seven directors were
			selected for incorporationof the company.
	June		Certificate of Incorporation received.
	Oct.		The Town Board authorized the company to leave the
			District if Afton has agreed to cover for them. It was
			agreed that the company purchase a radio for the
			fire room.
	Dec.		A donation was made to the Firemen's Home in Hudson.
1943	March		The company received a 40 foot extension ladder which is still
			on Number One.
	May		Coordinator Youngs gave out credentials and arm bands
			to the firemen explaining that they must be used by
			every person moving about in blackouts and air raids.
			Civil defense signals were explained.
	July		It was voted to buy a new pump at the cost of $245.
1944	Sept.		A special meeting was held to decide deposition of the
			new OCD equipment.It was approved that the company
			purchase a truck on which to mount the OCD equipment.
1945	Jan.		The Chief reported that the new truck is a 1 1/2 ton
			International and the work to mount the equipment on it
			would begin on Sunday at the school bus garage.
	Aug.		The Directors were empowered to borrow money to pay
			for a Bean high pressure fog system to be mounted on
			the truck in Lansing, Michigan.
	Oct.		OCD equipment returned to the government.
1946	June		The new truck is back and has been used at a fire.
			The cost of the trip to Lansing was $53.28 for repairs
			and $66.22 for expenses.
1948	Dec.		The fire company is active in the newly formed town
			civic group. A ping-pong table will be purchased for use
			by the youth from the company general funds.
1949	June		It was decided that the company purchase uniforms at
			a reasonable cost.
	July		The Chief reports that we have 4 new asbestos suits at a
			cost of $25.00 and the Commissioners will pay the bill.
1950	Jan.		An agreement is drawn up for fire protection with the
			Town of Coventry.
	Feb.		Firemen's plates may be used on the front of automobiles,
			expense to be borne by individual members.
	Oct.		A contract for fire protection in the areas beyond the fire
			district is presented to the Town for $800. A year.
	Dec.		The youth committee has dissolved, we must sell the
			ping-pong table for the amount we have in it.
1951	Jan.		Our fire phones have been made available to the Broome
			County Civil Defense.
	June		The by-laws have been amended to allow us to accept
			members who live in the fire protection area.
1952	April		The Commissioners propose that a tank truck be
			purchased by the taxpayers and the building to be paid
			for by the fire company.
	May		The fire company will assume the responsibility of housing
			a tank truck whether in this building or otherwise.
	July		Committee to proceed with the purchase of a tank truck.
	Nov.		The present building housing the fire trucks can be
			purchased for $3,000. From H.H. Pratt.A new boiler would
			also have to be purchased at an estimated price of $500.00
			Motion to purchase the building not carried, instead a
			committee will look into the price of a new building.
	Nov.		A special meeting was held .It was decided to turn the
			building proposition to the Commissioners.It was agreed
			that if the Commissioners provide a building, the company
			would assume the purchase of a new truck.A vote was
			taken stating that the Page property in the center of Town
			is desired for a new building.
1953	Jan.		The referendum is favorable to purchase the Page garage.
			The equipment can be moved to that location on Feb. 1st.
			A motion was made to buy a siren for Chief Wasson's car.
	March		The meeting was called to order in the new building.
			An essay of the dedication of the building was posted on
			the wall and printed in all the local papers.
	June		A siren was mounted behind the station.The tank truck
			has been painted and the building is being painted.
	Sept.		The Commissioners have purchased two Scott Air Packs.
			The company authorizes the formation of a women's
			auxiliary. Membership of the auxiliary to include wives,
			mothers, daughters and sisters of a fireman. An application
			will be filled out for radio equipment for our trucks.
	Oct.		Amendment made to include granddaughters, grandmothers
			and widows in the group eligible to join the auxiliary.
1954	March		A special meeting is called to discuss the purchase of
			a pump for the front of the truck.
			It was voted to buy one in the amount of$450.00.
	Oct.		It was agreed to purchase 4 mobile units and one base radio.
			The cost is $250.00 per unit.The Commissioners will share
			half the cost with the company.
1955	June		A new way of voting is introduced, a ballot box of white
			and black balls to be used on voting in of new members.
1958	Feb.		A committee is appointed to look into the purchase
			of a new truck.
	June		A Fire Police organization is started.
1961	Jan.		Some discussion about getting a new building for the fire
			company, subject referred to the Commissioners.
	Dec.		A committee is working on a new building.
			A radio will be purchased for the 1st Assistant's car.
1962	Feb.		The company is in favor of buying a new truck.
	Nov.		The plans for a new building are on display.
1963	March		The Town Board held a special meeting raising the contract
			from $1,000. a year to $2,500 a year for a period of fifteen
			years or until the truck is paid for.
	April		The company adopts a resolution to participate in the
			county mutual plan.The company will not trade the
			fog truck in on the new one.
	Nov.		The new truck is delivered.
1964	July		The new building is dedicated.
1966	Oct.		A drill is set with the Colesville Ambulance.
1970	Feb.		A motion is made to purchase a new tank truck
	March		A desk and chairs are purchased in memory of Art Kane, Sr.
	March		A committee is formed to look into changing the name of
			the company to Harpursville Fire Company # 1.
1971	May		Low bid is from Saulsbury Ford F-750 for a total price of $15,500.
	June		A quick dump tank will be purchased for $298.00.
	Sept.		The company will accept bids on the #2 truck
			and the utility trailer.
1973	May		Chief Dean meets with Afton to make a written agreement
			about fire protection areas.A discussion was held about
			purchasing plectron units.
	Oct.		Two walkie-talkie units and a new base radio for the station
			are purchased.
	Nov.		New uniforms are to be purchased.
	Feb.		Tot Finder signs are purchased.
1974	April		It was suggested to change the by-laws to read no dues
			for membership.
1975	Jan.		New truck delivered.
	April		A company flag and an American flag were presented in
			memory of Richard Buckler.
	Nov.		The Colesville Squad has requested that 43-2 respond
			to all motor vehicle accidents to assist the squad.
1976	July		A smoke ejector will be purchased.2 fire extinguishers
			have been donated to the senior citizens center.
1977	March		A memorial plaque for firemen will be constructed.
	Aug.		The 1st Annual Town of Colesville Firemen's picnic
			is held at Cole Park.
	Sept.		A committee is formed to look into the purchase of a new truck.
1978	May		Discussion was held about the new truck being lime-yellow.
	June		Public vote was held for the purchase of a new truck.
	Oct.		43-2 will respond to all motor vehicle accidents with the
			Colesville Ambulance.
1979	March		Received the new pumper tanker built by Saulsbury.
1980	July		Shirts are purchased for the hose team.
	Dec.		43-5 is damaged in an accident on icy roads when returning
			from a fire call.The driver was treated and released from the
			hospital.
1981	Feb.		The pumps froze while 43-5 was at the body shop for repair
			and need to be fixed.
	May		A portable generator is purchased.
	June		The fire company will help with the transportation of the band
			to parades this summer.
	Sept.		The fire company receives a citation from The American Legion,
			Department of New York, for outstanding service. Ron Buckler,
			Chief, also receives a citation for his outstanding service.
	Dec.		The building is covered with an oily soot from a furnace malfunction.
			The Commissioners agree that if the firemen do the clean-up
			work, the insurance money will be donated to the company to
			panel the walls and lower the ceiling of the meeting room.
1982	Jan.		Renovation in the meeting room begins. A plaque will be
			presented to Dean Youngs for the service provided by the
			Youngs family at fire control in Port Crane.
	March		The company receives a letter of thanks from the commissioners
			for the work done in the meeting room and for the clean-up work.
	April		The company will build a trophy case in memory of Howard Loker.
	April		Eastern Broome Air is formed with Ouaquaga being the base
			station. 2 scanners will be purchased with the Chenango County
			frequency for the trucks.
	May		A fund raiser will be held for Ted Dougherty.
	July		A plaque is presented to the firemen for their support of the
			marching band in 1981-1982.
	Oct.		Discussion about purchasing some land behind the station, Mr.
			Gilg states that the company has the first option if he decides
			to sell in the future.
	Oct.		An extinguisher is donated to the Doraville Community Center.
	Nov.		The fire company will have junior firemen as members. The
			juniors will train and must be 16 years old.
1983	July		A plaque will be presented to the Commissioners thanking
			them for their community service forming.
	Aug.		A mortgage ceremony is held.The hose team wins the overall
			hose team competition in Broome County for the third year.
			The company is now entitled to keep the trophy.
	Dec.		A committee is formed to look into the purchase of a
			mid-sized pumper truck.
1984	May		It is agreed to have automatic mutual aid from Ouaquaga during
			the day.
	May		The company rents a post office box.
1985	April		The company is awarded a plaque from the Genesee Brewing
			Company for their community Service.
	July		A new truck is ordered.
	Oct.		43-2 will be reconstructed as a brush truck.
	Dec.		A committee is formed to look into getting a fire training tower
			in the Town of Colesville.
1986	Feb.		It is decided that the Chief can appoint a Fire Prevention Officer.
			The Prevention Officer shall be exempt from the duties of an
			active fireman and shall not vote on company matters. A
			committee is formed for an open house and wet-down of the
			new truck.
	Sept.		3 mobile hand units are purchased.
	Oct.		Only 43-7 may cross the Nineveh bridge, all other units must
			go to Center Village.
1988	Feb.		The 1st Annual Fireman's Recognition Dinner is held in the
			Harpursville Fire Station.
	Feb.		Jean Rogers is made an honorary member of the company for
			over twenty years of service and the work she has done with
			Fire Safety and Prevention.Patti Buckler is also made an
			honorary member for her twenty years of service with the
			phones. These ladies are the first females in this company.
	March		The Town Highway Department has begun to put up the
			fire numbers.
	June		A letter of thanks was received from the School Board for the
			quick response and professional care at the school bus accident.
			Mr. Ranieri presented a certificate to the company in recognition
			of volunteers in the community.
	July		The ladies auxiliary is reforming.
1989	Jan.		A plaque is received from The American Legion, Department
			of New York for outstanding service.
	Feb.		2 smoke detectors have been donated and installed in the
			Nineveh Library.
	July		50th Anniversary of the Town of Colesville Fire Co. No. 1 is
			celebrated with a parade and a day full of activities. According
			to The Windsor Standard "Harpursville is proud of its fire
			department and on Saturday that pride shined like the fire engines
			on display - and the smiles on the faces of firemen - and the people.
1990	Feb.		A memorial service was held to pay respect to our fellow
			firefighters of this company who have answered their final call.
	May		We purchased a boat.
1991	Feb.		Site chosen for the training tower.
	March		Concrete for the tower poured.
	Oct.		Members drawing specifications for a new truck to replace the
			1963 pumper.
	Dec.		Purchased a used ambulance from CVAS to be used as a
			fire rescue vehicle.
1992	July		43-5 replaced with 1980 E-1 purchased from Long Island.
	Aug.		The Town of Colesville Fire Company # 1 has filed a d/b/a
			with the State which states that we will now use the name
			Harpursville Fire Department.
1993	Feb.		Dedication of 1980 E-1 in memory of George Dean, Past Chief
			for 17 years and Charter Member with 53 years of service in the
			Company. Our 1981 Rescue was dedicated to Lawrence
			Humiston who was Treasurer for 40 years and a Charter Member.
1994	July		Truck # 6 is purchased.
1995	Fall		The company is actively working to replace the tanker which is
			twenty three years old.
	Fall		The four departments in the town are working to install dry
			hydrants in the town.
1997	July		Broome County adopts the County wide tag system.
	Dec.		Many thanks given to the fire department for saving their
			daughter's life after an auto accident.
1996	July		1996 new International rescue/pumper delivered.
			Cost - $174,000.It replaces the 81 Rescue truck and the 1980
			Engine.
	Sept.		Open house and Wet-Down of our new 1996 International
			Rescue/Pumper has a 6 person crew cab, holds 1000 gallons
			of water and is equipped with the Hurst "jaws of life" rescue tool.
			The engine was dedicated into service in memory of Joseph
			Buckler who served the H.F.D. for 49 years.
1998	March		Received a plaque from Broome County for assisting in the ice
			emergency in Northern New York.
	Spring		Replaced the 1975 Brush Truck with a 1995 Utility Truck. It has
			a four door cab and is to be used as our brush truck. The truck
			was designed by the firefighters and paid for thru donations.
	Fall		Establishment of the Water Rescue Team and replacement of
			our boat.
	Oct.		Received a $10,000. grant from New York State for the
			purchase of a Jaws for Life tool.
	Nov.		A global positioning Unit is donated to the company from the
			auxiliary.
1999	Fall		Dry hydrant installed in the creek at Route 235.
	Jan.		The company received a donated generator large enough to
			power the station.This will enable us to use the station as an
			emergency shelter should the need arise.
	April		The ATV'S have been useful at grass & brush fires.
	April		Purchased a used police car to be used as a command vehicle
			with donations and fund raisers from the community.
	April		12 new air packs received though co-operation with the Town.
	Aug.		Eastern Broome Fire Chiefs' Association is formed. Companies
			included are Harpursville, Deposit, West Colesville, West Windsor
			and Five Mile Point.Jeff Buckler is elected President of the
			association.
	Sept.		Adding a control point to our radio license so that CVAS can
			install a base at their new headquarters.
	Oct.		The members vote to make the station and vehicles smoke free.
	Oct.		CVAS has left the building to their new location.
	Nov.		Ed and Ron met with Mrs. Gilg about purchasing the property
			behind the station, she doesn't want to sell it now but knows that
			we are still interested.
2000	Feb.		A heavy duty gear washer has been ordered for the station.
	April		Received a grant from NYS for the purchase of equipment.
	June		Train derailment with hazardous materials on board. The
			incident lasted 5 days, 24 hours a day.The company received
			many letters and citations for their professionalism.
	July		Company votes to purchase a 1964 Mack Pumper for $6,000.
	Aug.		Two wave runners loaned to the Water rescue Team, one to be
			housed in the Harpursville Station.
	Nov.		Company votes to purchase a 1991 International pumper tanker.
2001	Jan.		The company purchased a 1984/91 International Pumper/Tanker.
			The truck was financed by the fire department.
	April		Company members vote to apply to the state for an EMS number
			and begin an EMS training program.
	April		Company votes to purchase a Tac-Stick.
	Summer		A pond with 185,000 gallons of water and two dry hydrants are
			installed on Monroe Street in Harpursville.
	Oct.		We vote to purchase a Thermal Imaging Camera, to be dedicated
			in memory of John Rogers for his 37 years in the company.
2002	Feb.		The company receives the donation of an engine from Baldwin,
			NY for the price of $1.00. (A truck for a buck.) It is a 1971
			Mack Engine and is dedicated to Don Tyler with 31 years of
			service to our department.
	Feb.		A computer is received thru a grant program in Broome County.
	May		We received an automated defibrillation unit from the Sheriff's
			Department and another through community donations.
	June		We will be available for structural fires in the Town of Sanford.
	July		We have received a Forestry Grant of $1,000. (Matching funds)
	June		The company votes to look into starting a med team.
	Sept.		1st Annual 9/11 Observance held by Harpursville Fire Department.
	Dec.		The company votes to purchase a new air compressor to
			fill our air bottles.
2003	Summer		The Firefighter Memorial is constructed in front of the station
			to honor the members of our company who have gone before us.
	June		River Rescue, 5 bodies recovered from swollen creek and river
			near Doraville.
	Sept.		Dedication of monument and Memorial Service held at the station.
	Fall		Purchase of a ladder truck.
	Fall		Members of the Fire Department take the Certified First
			Responder Class.
	Dec.		New Mini-Pumper is received.It is a 2003 Ford F550 and will
			respond much like the 1984 GMC that we are replacing. It will
			also serve as the response vehicle to medical calls in our district.
2004	Jan.		Start of our medical response program.We will respond
			to all Charlie or Delta calls in our protection area to assist CVAS.
	Spring		FAST Team organized.We are one of 3 such teams in the County
	Spring		Plans for construction of a second station is begun.
	May		Received a computer thru a grant by the Town and Tomi Stewart.
	July		65th Anniversary of the Company - Celebration and Wet Down of
			the new mini pumper.Station 2 is dedicated to Ed Mosher,
			Town Supervisor for his support of emergency services in the Town.
	Dec.		1st Annual Adult Christmas Party held with Sanitaria Springs Fire at
			Station 2. (Mosher Station)
2005	March		Purchased a Sutphen 75' Quint.
2006	June		Massive Flooding in our town.
	June		Replaced our EMS Vehicle
	Oct.		Purchased an Air Commander Hovercraft. (Water craft)
2007	June		Sponsored 4 firefighters for first Boot Camp Training in Broome County
	Aug.		Sponsored our 1st Annual Golf Tournament.