Hopewell Hose Company #1
It all started in 1912 with an idea and a need:
A group of men met at Underhill's Hall, the old St.Columba church, and now the antique center, on June 29, 1912 for the purpose of forming a fire company in Hopewell Junction. At the next meeting in October the officers were elected and the original charter was signed in October of 1912. The first piece of equipment was a hand pumper, that was pulled by hand or towed behind a car, and was borrowed from the Protection Engine Company of Fishkill. The company responded to its first alarm since it was organized on March 1, 1914. Due to the heavy snow storm at the time, the engine could not be moved. In September 1917, the company appropriated funds towards erecting a fire house and the building committee was instructed to go ahead and commence operation and draw on the company for the amount. The location of the fire house was on a lot donated by Mr. J. Rapelje. It was where Turner Street joins Route 82 at the north end of the railroad bridge.
In the twenties:
A motion was carried December 13, 1920 that a committee of three be appointed to see the ladies and invite them to a special meeting to be held at the hose house in regard to organizing a ladies Auxiliary and social club in conjunction to the hose company. Mr. Colt, representing the Buffalo Fire Engine Company was present to describe the Ford Pumper and Chemical Engine sold by his company. He would deliver it at Hopewell Jct. for four thousand dollars. The first fire the new engine was called to be at R. Heady's smokehouse which was attached to the main house. The engine arrived promptly and quickly had it under control by using chemicals. This was on June 9, 1922. It was decided to get an engine tire from the railroad for an alarm system. The fire engine of the Hopewell Hose Co. answered all alarms in the Town of East Fishkill and parts of the Towns of LaGrange, Beekman, Union Vale, Fishkill and Wappingers. The forming of a fire district was discussed.
In the thirties:
The town board took out insurance on active members of the company. A Fire district was approved by the town board and Commissioners were appointed to December 1, 1936. Mr. L.W. Sequine, chairman of the fire commissioners, reports the purchase of a new Diamond T fire truck for thousand dollars. It is to be delivered around the middle of February. Land was purchased on Church Street for the new firehouse. Last meeting in the old firehouse was June 8, 1936. The meetings were held in the Town Hall after that date. The first meeting held in the new fire house was on February 14, 1938 and the dedication was held on February 28.
In the forties:
A motion was carried that Hopewell Hose sponsor the forming of a Fife, Drum and Bugle Corps, and that the committee be allowed to spend up to for instruments. The carnival was held on Mrs. Underhill's lot alongside of M. B. Way's house. Mrs. Underhill was given a set of 12 goblets in appreciation for use of the field. Motion made and carried that a first aid squad be formed in the company. Firemen to meet at the firehouse Sunday at 2pm in uniform to march to new town honor roll for the dedication. Motion carried to send each member of the Hopewell Hose Company in service a Christmas card. At this meeting, December 13, 1943, Monty Way requested a pair of mittens be bought for the driver of the fire truck. The motion was carried to purchase one pair of mittens for the driver, and the bill to be sent to the commissioners. The following resolution was adopted: "That the firehouse shall be draped in memory of a departed member for 30 days after his death, and that no social or active doings shall be held until one day after the funeral." President Way appointed a committee to arrange for a suitable memorial or plaque to be placed in the firehouse in memory of Stephen Mitchell, Albert Wilson and Charles Bacon who were killed in service. After some discussion on more room needed in the firehouse, the president appointed a committee to draw up a plan for enlarging the building. It was reported that the Model T apparatus could not be insured due to its age. Stormville Fire Company invited all the members of Hopewell Hose Company to attend the laying of the cornerstone for their firehouse on Sunday, September 18, 1949, at 2pm.
Some fires of the forties:
Arthursburg School House, Company responded. Damage was $1,000. Roundhouse at Hopewell, The old roundhouse was being used as a plastic factory. Fire was discovered at about 5:30pm. The rule then was that an officer must go with the truck on all alarms. Lawrence Russell was at the firehouse waiting for an officer. Home of Daniel O'Connell, Clove Branch, in the afternoon, in November, the alarm was turned in and the company did not respond. The reason the company did not respond on the first call was because all the firemen had gone deer hunting.
In the fifties:
Fishkill firemen complained that they could not find the chief of the Hopewell Company at the recent Arcadia fire because he did not wear his white coat and helmet. A resuscitator was purchased by the company the cost of was raised by donation. Bingo committee reported that no livestock was available, next bingo to be held next month. Motion carried that secretary write a letter to Albany that the company was in favor of legalized bingo. A member widened the entrance to the firehouse with the fire truck.
Some fires in the fifties:
Emmadine farms: 32 calves and several buildings. Help from Stormville, LaGrangeville, Beekman, New Hackensack and Fishkill, the fire had a good start before it was discovered, and by the time the pumpers were hooked up to pump water from almost one-half mile away, the barns were doomed. New Hackensack firemen answered a call for a fire on Robinson Lane. Hopewell was called but did not answer. The reason, Ex-chief Quackenbush told the newspapers, was that the fire company put a new lock on the door and the keys the firemen had would not fit. Three large barns on the Lepetka Anhus farm, Wiccopee, struck by lightning, what property that was saved or lost did not depend on the number of fire trucks at the fire. At this fire, there were 13 fire trucks, still, all the buildings burned to the ground.
In the sixties:
The fire company purchased two acres of land from Underhill Estate at a cost of eight thousand dollars. This land is to be used for carnival grounds at the present time. The footing was put in for an addition to the firehouse. In July 1962, Hopewell Hose Company was host to the Dutchess County Volunteer Firemen's Association for its convention and parade. With the growth of the town the firemen reassessed their fire equipment and began replacing one piece at a time. Engine #5 was purchased in 1963 and Ford Brush Truck was purchased in 1965. The point system after a heated discussion at a monthly meeting became a fact of life in Hopewell Hose. Junior firemen were voted in. A Rescue Squad was formed and radio dispatching became centralized.
In the seventies:
5 new pieces of equipment were purchased it became evident the company needed a new building. In 1971 a Seagrave engine became Engine #1. Firemen's Carnivals were a yearly happening in July at the Firemen's Field. Through the seventies, fundraising of all kinds by all members was intensified. Finally enough money was collected to proceed with plans for our new firehouse. The building continues to be financially supported by its members. The dedication took place in October 1979. Firemen were becoming more safety conscious and turnout gear, boots, gloves, helmets, Scott Packs (self-contained breathing apparatus) and radios became standard issued equipment. Bingo was resumed every Tuesday night. It became evident firefighters needed more knowledge in fighting fires in new buildings, since many contained materials that could be hazardous when burned. Each year more firemen went to various schools: Essentials of Firemanship, Hazardous Materials and Leadership Schools for various officers, Pump operations, etc. Women were becoming firefighters, filling in the daytime gap when firefighters were most needed.
In the eighties:
More apparatus was purchased including a new Engine #5 and a Snorkel. Woman became executive officers in the fire company. A second 2nd Lieutenant was added to the firematic officers. The annual elections are now in December, and the term of office now runs January to December. As a final tribute to a deceased member, their flag draped coffin is placed on the Model T and members in full dress uniforms escort them to their final resting place. The point system was discontinued with much elation. Pancake breakfasts were initiated with great support. The 25 week club ending with a New Year's Eve Party began and the Disc Jockey for New Years Eve is becoming a tradition.
The Hopewell Hose Company currently houses one engine, one rescue truck, one mini-pumper, one quint, one tower ladder, and one rescue boat.
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