History
As the Village of Dobbs Ferry was expanding during the late 19th century the need for formalized fire protection became more evident. On May 17, 1883 the Board of Trustees led by President (Mayor) Downey held a special meeting of the board in Huber Hall which was located at the comer of Chestnut Street and Main Street to address the issue. A petition was presented by 25 residents of the village asking to be organized into a fire company to be known as the Resolute Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. The petition was promptly granted by the Board of Trustees. President Downey then called for an election of a foreman and assistant foreman. Mr. Joseph Embree was elected foreman and Mr. L. W. Boyle was elected Assistant Foreman. President Downey then turned the meeting over to the membership who elected John R Ackerman chairman, Joseph Gillispie Secretary and John Ebenspacher Treasurer. A committee was formed to work with the Village Board to purchase a fire truck and to develop company by-laws. The first organizational meeting of the company was held a week later on May 24, 1883.
As further growth of the village occurred during the late 1880's the need for additional fire protection became apparent. To meet this need Livingston Hose Company No. 1 was organized. The original company roster consisted of 10 members.These charter members were Lawrence W. Boyle, Thomas Dunworth, Arthur Guden, Joseph Clough, Patrick Gillispie, John J. Francis, John Cane, Walter S. Paulsen, William Lintland, and John R. Ackerman. After formalizing their charter and being recognized by the Village of Dobbs Ferry, the men of Livingston Hose Company elected its first set of officers. These were Foreman Arthur Guden and Assistant Foreman John J. Francis.
Resolute Hook and Ladder and Livingston Hose developed friendly rivalries over the years often racing each other to the scene of fire calls. Each company maintained there own seperate firehouses for years in different buildings throughout the downtown business district. In 1927 the Village built a new firehouse for both companies at 112 Main Street. Both companies are still housed in this building and it is also serves as department headquarters.
Ogden Engine was the last company of the Dobbs Ferry Fire Department to organize. With the Village expanding eastward and the population growing a need arose for additional fire protection in the Village. On January 6, 1898 a letter was read from the Secretary of the Fire Department to the Village Board advising them that as a result of a meeting of the Fire Department, approval was given to create a new company. A group of citizens came forward wanting to form a hose company to be known as the Ogden Hose Co. On March 30, 1898 an organizing meeting was held and the company name of Ogden Hose Company # 3 was formed
On April 17, 1898 the Village Board confirmed that Ogden was now part of the Fire Department. Ogden was now a company but lacked an apparatus and a firehouse. In May of that year the company agreed to lease a building located on Ogden Place East at a cost of $120.00 a year to be paid in quarterly installments. A hand drawn horse jumper, used as the apparatus of choice in the area was assigned to the company and Ogden hose Co. began responding to calls in the Village.
As time progressed, Ogden became an integral part of the department. At the August 11, 1906 meeting it was decided not to renew the lease of its quarters and a committee was formed to work with the Village to find new accommodations for the company. Additionally in 1906 in anticipation of the arrival of a new apparatus the company changed their name to the Ogden Engine Company #1. In December they placed into service their new horse drawn chemical engine.
In 1910 after two years of committee meetings and two successful Village referendums a lot on Ashford Ave opposite Ogden Place West was secured by the Village construction was begun on a new firehouse. The first meeting in the new firehouse on Ashford Ave was held on October 10, 1910 - the site of today's firehouse.
Resolute Hook and Ladder, the Livingston Hose Co. and the Ogden Engine Co. all have rich histories that have developed of the last 128 years of the Dobbs Ferry Fire Department. These histories are still going strong and the men and women of these companies will contiue to protect and serve the residents of the Village of Dobbs Ferry.
Chief of Fire Department
1883 to 1888 NONE
1889-1890 Charles Huber (Resolute H&L)
1891-1893 Peter Carpenter (Resolute H&L)
1894-1896 John Francis
1897-1898 James W Elder (Livingston Hose)
1899-1900 John Francis
1901-1902 John Best (Resolute H&L)
1903-1904 James Gillespie (Resolute H&L)
1905-1906 Anton Thorton
1907-1908 John Lange (Resolute H&L)
1909-1910
1911 Peter Gillespie
1912 Benjamin Wallace (Resolute H&L)
1913 Croke
1914 Thomas Kelly (Livingston Hose)
1915 James McCabe (Resolute H&L)
1916 Thomas Lee
1917 Frank Coffey (Livingston Hose)
1918-1919 William O. Meyer
1920-1922 William Mulholland
1923-1924 Joseph Beigen (Resolute H&L)
1925 Thomas Elder (Livingston Hose)
1926 Otto Pfeil
1927 John Graney (Resolute H&L)
1928-1929 Thomas Fay (Livingston Hose)
1930 Samuel Dawson (Resolute H&L)
1931-1932 Joseph Oths (Ogden Engine)
1933-1934 James Monahan (Livingston Hose)
1935-1936 Joseph Delmerico (Resolute H&L)
1937-1938 James Taxter (Ogden Engine)
1939-1940 James Brooks (Livingston Hose)
1941-1942 Willaim French (Resolute H&L)
1943-1945 Douglas McInernry (Ogden Engine)
1945-1946 Elliott Bray Sr. (Livingston Hose)
1947-1948 Louis Reader (Resolute H&L)
1949-1950 Edwin French (Ogden Engine)
1951-1952 Terrence Buckley (Livingston Hose)
1953-1954 Thomas J Connerton (Resolute H&L)
1955-1956 Herman Meyer (Ogden Engine)
1957-1958 Elliott Bray Jr. (Livingston Hose)
1959-1960 Clifton Foote (Resolute H&L)
1961-1962 Harold Bingay Sr. (Ogden Engine)
1963-1964 John Yozzo (Livingston Hose)
1965-1966 Joseph Palermo (Resolute H&L)
1967-1968 George Keiling (Ogden Engine)
1969-1970 Ted Hill (Livingston Hose)
1971-1972 Charles Schiavo (Resolute H&L)
1973-1974 Thomas Cullen (Ogden Engine)
1975-1976 Stanley Raffa (Livingston Hose)
1977-1978 Frank Cristello (Resolute H&L)
1979-1980 John H Cullen (Ogden Engine)
1981-1982 Ned Allen (Livingston Hose)
1983-1984 Dan Minozzi (Resolute H&L)
1985-1986 William O'Connor (Ogden Engine)
1987-1988 Robert Casino (Livingston Hose)
1989-1990 Edward Marron (Resolute H&L)
1991-1992 John Trenholm (Ogden Engine)
1993-1994 Jack Korcian (Livingston Hose)
1995-1996 Edward Marron (resolute H&L)
1997-1998 Edward Hennessy (Ogden Engine)
1999-2000 Gary Gardner (Livingston Hose)
2001-2002 Neil Sweeting (Resolute H&L)
2003-2004 James Walsh (Ogden Engine)
2005-2006 Dennis Roth (Livingston Hose)
2007-2008 Joseph Marron (Resolute H&L)
2009-2010 Frank Farrington (Ogden Engine)
2011 James Trezza (Livingston Hose)
100 Years Ago
1912
Sunday January 14 1035AM
Fire Alarm turned in by Hill#31. Fire rear of Pfiels. Second call fire is out. Carpenter, Chief of fire department telephoned desk to send in alarm. (Hill)
Wednesday January 24 550
Fire alarm sounded BOX 36. Mr. J Frances, Barn. Ogden Engine, Resolute Hook and Ladder, Livingston Hose. $5,000 damage,
NOTE: Glass broken in Resolute's door. Broken by truck.
Monday January 29
Fire alarm turned in on disk #63. Chimney Fire on Livingstone Avenue (House). A. Muraltz's house. (Nicholas)
Friday February 9
Mrs. Herman L Edgar of Broadway telephoned to headquarters at 635PM that her chimney was afire. 1st Asst Chief Wallace detailed Joseph Beigen of Resolute hook and ladder and hoseman Francis of Livingston Hose. She did not want fire whistle blown. I called Chief Carpenter but he was not at home. So I called up Chief Wallace who attened to same.
Monday March 18 1130PM
Received telephone message that afire was at Knunklers and Sons on Main St. Alarm Sounded out. (Nicholas)
Monday May 6 845PM
Officer Hill reported that a fire destoryed James McFarlene's Chicken House. The fire was caused by a lamp. The loss was 11 little chickens. Ogden Engine Co. responded. No alarm
Saturday June 29
Dr. Hasbrouck, health officer made a complaint to officers Rodgers that he received in regards to the dump being afire, as he wanted the fire put out. I called up Chief Wallace who got some of the members of Livingston Hose Co. who took the hose wagon with the hose and put fire out. (Springsteel)
Wednesday September 11
P.M. McClelland turned in an alarm of fire at 530PM for a fire at Walter R Losee's house on Broadway. He turned in the alarm from the box at Miss Master's School. All fire companys in the village answered the alarm. (Costello)
October 11
Fire alarm sounded at 145PM from BOX 72. Manilla Anchor Brewing Co. Resolute Hook and Ladder and Livingston responded. (Springsteel)
October 14
Fire alarm at 2PM from BOX 63 at Robert Denmison Barn. Resolute Hook and Ladder, Livingston Hose and Ogden Engine responded. (Springsteel)
October 22 350AM
Fire alarm rang from BOX 31. Ogden Place East. The fire started at Mr. Pheile Balin alley. The automobile from Livingston Hose responded and also Ogden Engine. (Rodgers)
October 31 1150AM
Fire Box 36 blew the regular alarm. Livingston Hose, Resolute Hook and Ladder and Ogden Engine responded to the alarm promptly. Chief Wallace reported it was a false alarm and he took from the box Key#1. He then went into Gaborets and found that thier key had not been used.
Saturday December 28
Fire started at Mr. Arthur Polhman House on Main St. I notified Chief Wallace to turn in the alarm but it would not work. All 3 companies responded to the first fire by telephone call. Resolute Hook and Ladder, Livingston Hose and Ogden Engine responded. Did not hear what started the fire. (Rodgers)
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The great controversy of 1912 (4 Articles)
Poughkeepsie NY, Daily Eagle May 11, 1912
Two Fire Chiefs
Unusual situation at Dobbs Ferry ---- Folks There Are Wondering What The
Local "Field" Is Likely To Be
Dobbs Ferry has a excellent fire department, with two chiefs, and public opinion divided as to which is the legal chief. As both of them have firm adherents in the department, who say that they will obey no one but their respective chief. The Villagers are praying fervently there will be no fire till the matter is settled, for who knows what would happen?
There are three fire companies in the department. Each company by law elects three delegates to a conference that on the first Tuesday in April names a chief and assistant chief. Last month the conference cast five votes for the old chief Peter Carpenter and John McKeon as his assistant. Four votes were cast for Benjamin L Wallace as chief and William Rapp as assistant. On the third Tuesday in April the fire council of the village appointed Carpenter and Mckeon.
But there is an old village rule that the chief can hold office but one year -- or shall be elected for one year, whichever way one prefers to in terpret it -- and that his assistant shall be elevated to his position under this rule the villahe trusteed held that Carpenter was inellgible and proceeded to appoint Wallace and Rapp. This is how Dobbs Ferry came to have two chiefs.
The squabble is the chief topic of discussion and several discussions have nearly come to be battles. Chief Carpenter, a prosperous plumber, has possession of the office and the chief's helmet and badge. Chief Wallace who is cashier of the Dobbs Ferry Bank, has control of the apparatus and fire alarm, which he has placed in his home, giving notice to property holders they should call up his house in case of fire, when he will sound the general alarm. He added this bit of information, " the alarm will be sent in for you but it is understood that in case of error no claim for damages is to be made. This is for your convenience and to save time and is at your risk".
In the mean time the three fire companies are ready to respond to any alarm.
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New Rochelle NY Pioneer May 1912
Want To Know Who Is Chief
Dobbs Ferry Firemen Seek To Know Who Is Who
Because the firemen of the village of Dobbs Ferry are divided in their opinion as to who is the chief of the village fire department the insurance men have refused to take any increased risks on property there because they fear that in case of fire there might be trouble with two men giving orders as chief and the property will suffer the consequence.
The people of the village have called on the State Fire Marshall to decide who is chief of the village department. P J Carpenter, Jr was elected by the village fire council, and retains his badge of office and the one leather helmet among the firemen. But Benjamin Wallace has been chosen by the village board of trustees and he has had the village fire alarm installed in his library.
Mr. Carpenter's followers say they will go to the first fire that is reported ready to obey no one but their chief. Friends of Mr. Wallace declare they will take orders only from the fireman financier.
As a result of the controversy William Rapp of the Wallace faction is charged with assualt and battery by J T Francis, a fire councilor who voted for Mr. Carpenter's election.
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New York Herald, May 6, 1912
Rival Fire Chiefs Stir Dobbs Ferry
With Two Sets of Officials, Westchester Village Fear Riot at First Alarm
Dobbs Ferry, NY, Sunday -- Residents of Dobbs Ferry have called on the State Fire Marshall to decide who is chief of the village fire department. P J Carpenter, Jr., was elected by the village fire council and retains his badge of office and the one leather helmet among the firemen. But Benjamin Wallace, cashief of the Dobbs Ferry National Bank, has been chosen by the board of village trustees and he has had the village fire alarm installed in his library.
Mr. Carpenter''s followers say they will go to the first fire that is reported ready to obey no one but their chief. Friends of Mr. Wallacedeclare they will take orders only from the fireman financier. Meanwhile insurace agents with risks in the village are in a quandary. The residents are trying to increase their insurance but insurance agents refuse to write new risks untill the controversy is settled.
As a result of the controversy William Smith of the Wallace faction is charged with assualt and battery by J T Francis, a fire councilor who voted for Mr. Carpenter's election. The case will be heard by police justice Hugh H Thornton this week.
Mr. Wallace after having the fire alarm taken from police headquarters and installed in his home, sent out a post card printed in red ink to every house holder in the village. He instructed them in case of fire to call up his house, giving the telephone number, and then added the advice, "The alarm will be sent in for you, but it is understood that in case of error, no claim for damages is to be made. This is for your convenience and to save time and is at your risk".
Delegates from the Livingston Hose, The Resolute Hook and Ladder and the Ogden Engine company met and nominated Mr. Carpenter for chief and John McKeon for assistant chief. The village fire council confirmer the election of the two the following day. Two nights later the board of trustees met and elected Mr. Wallace, chief and William Rapp, assistant chief.
Some of the residents hace recommended that the sheriff be empowered to swear in special deputies to attend all fires.
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New Rochelle, NY Pioneer Saturday, June 8, 1912
Dobbs Ferry's Fire Chief
Supreme Court Justice Morschauser, Monday morning filed his decision in the Dobbs Ferry Fire Chief controversy in favor of Benjamin Wallace, who was appointed by the village board of trustees. The justice grants the pre-emplory writ of mandamus asked for by Mr. Wallace and directs Peter J Carpenter, Jr., the man appointed by the fire company representatives to turn over to Wallace all of the property pertaining to the office.
