History of the Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department

In December of 1891, disaster in the form of fire struck the small community of Croton Landing.  Their only defense against the fire was the "bucket brigade," which was overwhelmed and nine buildings were destroyed.  Various members of the community realized that the village's needs had grown and on February 12, 1892 they met and formed the "Washington Hand Engine Company."  This organization was followed later that year by the "Independent Fire Company" and "Columbian Hook and Ladder Company."  These three organizations, independent of each other but united in purpose, provided Croton with it's first line of defense against fire.

The community became incorporated as the Village of Croton-on-Hudson in 1898.  The new village government began to draw these companies together as a unit under village leadership.  This move was met with mixed results, having the Washington company hold out for nine years in a dispute over water supply for firefighting.  They finally joined with the other companies in 1907.

During this time the department had some basic difficulties, including a poor water supply and a limited alarm system.  The companies had different ideas about how to handle the water situation.  Independent Fire Company opted for the chemical or "soda-acid" sustem, whereas a chemical tablet caused a reaction when released in the water tank, forcing the water out of the hose.  To reflect this type of firefighting, the company petitioned the village to change their name to the "Chemical Engine Company No. 1" in 1907.

The early years were busy for the Croton Fire Department.  The lack of a reliable water source often hampered the department's efforts to extinguish blazes, such as what became referred to as the "British Block Fire."  The "British Block" was a large apartment building which stood where Dom's Friendly Service is today at the intersection of South Riverside Avenue and Maple Street.  Fire consumed the structure on February 23, 1915 leaving many people homeless.  Despite such setbacks, the members of the department continued to work to improve their situation.

It was this hard work which resulted in the motorization of our department which had a tremendous effect on it's capabilities to fight fire.  On June 12, 1917, the members of Washington Engine Company informed the Village Board of their purchase of a Stutz fire engine, which they presented to the village to be placed in to service.  The other companies were working towards the same goal and on April 15, 1919, Chemical Engine inducted a Locomobile apparatus into service.  Columbian Hook & Ladder completed the move into the motorization age with the acceptance of a Packard ladder truck in 1923.

The department went in to the Roaring Twenties riding high.  Everyday the situation improved; the alarm system now included a steam whistle on the New York Central Roundhouse, hydrants were becoming more plentiful... what could go wrong?  On November 13, 1928, the steam whistle brought the department to a fire at the "Presto Lunch" on Riverside Avenue.  A large crowd had gathered to watch the firemen fight the blaze when suddenly, a propane tank at the rear of the building exploded.  What had begun as a routine alarm had turned in to disaster.  The crowd which had drifted too close was filled with injured, confused people.  Those firemen able to continue on did so, helping the injured and attacking the fire once again.  Neighboring communities sent ambulances and fire equipment and the battle went on.  This one alarm would bring the Croton Fire Department to it's current form, and shaped it's actions for years to come.

From that tragic fire in 1928, the department had realized the need for organized crowd control and began to assign people to that task.  These were the first steps towards the beginning of the "Emergency Relief Squad."  This organization, now known as Croton Fire Patrol No. 1, became official on September 20, 1934.  This squad was formed by recruiting five men from each existing company in the department.  Their original duties were only crowd control and fire scene security.  Perhaps, as a natural result of the "Presto Lunch Fire," these duties later expanded to include rescue and ambulance service.  We continue to provide the rescue services today, however the ambulance services we provided for many years are no longer part of our department.

With the merger of the Croton and Harmon communities, a need for a third pumper company, Harmon Engine Company No. 3 was founded.  This organization was formed in 1922 by the Homwowners of Harmon as the Harmon Fire Protection Association.  Their first truck was constructed by a local garage on a Chevrolet chasis.  This truck was replaced by a new Sanford Engine when they joined the department in 1930.

The department went into the 1930's determined to bring to life the lessons learned that day.  The first issue they tackled was a new alarm system.  To accomplish their objective, the leadership of the department threatened to strike unless a system agreed upon by them was purchased.  With the support of the mighty New York Times, which carried the story, the department could not help but win, and win they did.  In 1932 an air-powered horn was installed on a tower along Riverside Avenue, opposite lower Grand Street.

The year 1942 found our department 50 years old, but it also found us in a nation at war.  World War II struck the Village of Croton with the same force as it did the country as a whole.  The massive reduction in manpower due to the enlistment of the men from the village in to the military brought about the addition of high school boys to the department.  The members gained in this manner are remembered as some of the most motivated ever, many going on to become leaders in all walks of life.

With the reduction of manpower the matter of cooperation came to force.  Most small communities were left with only the very young and the very old to man their apparatus.  We all saw the value in what became known as the "Mutual Aid System," whereas we would help one another, refusing no resonable request for aid.  This system, modified in form and regulated by Westchester County, still exists today.  It was with great joy and relief that the department welcomed back it's servicemen in the post-war years.  Sadlt though, some had paid the ultimate price for liberty, and would not return except in the hearts of those who survived.  The energy of those returning veterans made the 1950's years of great progress for the department.  Their work brought about the introduction of the two-way radio to the department in September 1953, the first air-pack in 1954 and our very first true ambulance.  The department used these valuable tools in even greater service to the community.

Twice in the ensuing years the department was called upon to supply the Village with water in emergency situations.  The first occassion was in October 1955, when the severe rainfall following Hurricane Hazel flooded out the village's pump stations on Grand Street.  While providing water to the residents of Croton, the department also managed to send one engine with two members of each company to Port Jervis, along with other area departments, to assist in disaster recovery.  The second occurrance was in January of 1963, when the pump that supplied the village's water tanks failed.  Once again the department found itself confronting two problems at the same time - being notified of the water problem while fighting a fire at the Yacht Club.  As if all of this was not enough, the area was in a severe cold snap.

In 1971 the department welcomed a new Maxim aerial ladder truck and put it into service.  This new truck replaced the American LaFrance ladder, which had served the department for thirty years.  On December 4, 1971, the department was sent to a structure fire on South Riverside Avenue.  While firefighters were battling the blaze, the new aerial ladder, with a firefighter on the end of the ladder, suddenly buckled and came crashing to the ground.  Luckily, that firefighter was not killed or more seriously injured.  The truck was sent back to the factory and refitted with a new ladder, returning to serve the department for over 30 years.

While that occurrance shook the department, it's work went on.  On October 9, 1972 an air show was the major attraction in Croton, during which the crowd watched as a plane crashed in to the Croton Reservoir.  Rescue crews sped into action while the Mastor of Ceremonies, Geraldo Rivera, called for a moment of silent prayer for the pilot.  Though search crews scoured the area, the wreck was never found.

The years went by for the Croton Fire Department with the usual changes.  Harmon Engine culminated many years of work with the acceptance of a new Ward LaFrance pumper on March 20, 1975.  This lime green rig gave them the nickname of the "Green Machine."  They opted to paint the apparatus this color based on a trending study of the FDNY about apparatus colors and their association with accidents involving these apparatus.

Over the years, Washington Engine's firehouse had fallen into a very sad state, and the company, along with the Chiefs, began the groundwork for a new building.  The work dragged through the years and after many delays the company christened it's new quarters with an open house and dedication ceremony on July 26, 1980.  This was the first event of a decade that would see many changes in our department.

The first of these changes came with the formation of a youth program, known as Explorer Post 2089, to introduce teens to the fire service.  The genesis of the idea dates back to the WW II era, when the practice of allowing members under the age of 18 became imperative.  The difference was that this time females wanted to join also.  While this did cause a stir among the membership, there was onl one course of action in the end and the "girls" were admitted to the department.  In the years since the formation of this group, now known as the Croton Junior Fire Department, thay have proven to be an invaluable asset to the department, with many members going on to become firefighters, officers and even Chiefs in the department.

The second change came from the first.  With the issue of young girls wanting to become members of the Explorer Post, women wanted to become a part of the department.  By 1985 there were three women in the department, and to date we have had dozens of female members, with some making it to the rank of Captain.

In the mid 1980's the department began to experiment with a different concept in water supply.  The concept was that of the water shuttle or tanker.  Our first tanker was built with used materials including a 2,700 gallon water tank.  For the first time in our history, our department had a guaranteed source of water in the outliying Fire Protection Districts.  

October 14, 1986 began like any other day for most people, but it quickly became a day for the department to remember.  On that day, a small airplane became lost in the dense fog, which blanketed the area.  At 10:25 AM it crashed into the house at 31 Elmore Avenue.  The pilot died in the crash, the only resident home at the time escaped unharmed while neighbors turned in the alarm.  When the department arrived on the scene, flames were rapidly consuming the home.  Under the command of Chief Gerald A. Munson, crews advanced multiple hose lines, and the department brought the fire under control quickly, saving most of the structure.

In June of 1990, the department welcomed a new addition in the form of a 1990 International / Emergency Equipment Inc. 3,300 gallon Tanker/Pumper.  This apparatus replaced the original Tanker, a 1964 Mack conversion, which served the department well for a number of years.  The new truck made it's debut at the New York State Fire Chief's Convention that Summer.

In 1992, the Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department celebrated our 100th anniversary of all-volunteer service to the Croton community.  A firemen's parade - as well as other community and department events including hosting the Westchester County Volunteer Firemen's Association Convention - helped ring in this milestone.  Chief at the time was Frank T. Streany, whose father Joseph Streany served as Chief exactly 30 years earlier, and brother Joseph P. Streany held the position 10 years earlier.  The elder Streany brother was the department's first-ever second generation Chief, with brother Frank being the third.

The 90's would see some major changes in the fire service, aimed at increasing firefighter safety.  Among these changes was the introduction of Thermal Imaging Cameras, increased training requirements and the use of "Firefighter Assist & Search Teams (FAST)."  In 1997, approximately two dozen members of the department began advanced training on preventing and preparring for the rescue of our own members.  This concept meant having a dedicated team of highly-trained firefighters available on a fire scene, whose soul purpose was to be there in the event a firefighter has an emergency.  On June 1, 1998, our team went into service, responding to it's first call in Lake Mohegan about three months later.

On December 29, 1999, our FAST was called to a structure fire at Charter Circle in Ossining.  Upon our team's arrival, smoke was coming from the 8-story apartment building.  As conditions worsened, our team was asked to assist in rescuing several occupants from the building.  The team of over one dozen members at this call was split up, with some members assisting with rescues, while keeping others intact as a FAST.  While conducting searches and rescue on the top floor, two members called for help, as they became unable to exit on their own.  Members of our FAST quickly located these members and began to assist them with their breathing by sharing their SCBAs.  The team of rescuers then became trapped themselves, as the fire had blocked their way out.  A Tower Ladder from Sleepy Hollow FD was able to reach our members and bring them to safety - and just in the knick of time - as the apartment they were in flashed over and became consumed by fire moments after they escaped.  Four members went to the hospital for smoke inhalation, and were released later that day.  For their actions both saving the lives of those in the building, as well as their own brothers, several members of the CFD (as well as other departments on scene) received "Firefighter of the Year" citations from the Westchester County Volunteer Firemen's Association.