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Germantown Hose Co No. 1 History

A group of men in Germantown got together and decided the town had grown sufficiently to need its own Fire department. As a result of this meeting, the Germantown Fire Co., #l was organized in September 1908 by six civic-minded men: Isace Rockefeller, William Lasher, Eugene DeWitt, Arthur Denegar, Charles Hover, and George Brehawy.

Their equipment consisted of a 35 gallon Chemical tank on two wheels, and was pulled by the men. By some miracle, this apparatus has survived, and is displayed in the present meeting room and occasionally used at parades.

In 1916, a model T Ford, with two Chemical tanks, was purchased, The first quarters for the infant Fire Company were located in the Odd Fellows lodge Building, which still stands today, They remained there until 1917, when a firehouse was constructed on Main Street opposite the Central House Stables.

In 1923, the Village of Germantown suffered its worst loss when a fire started in the Grange Hall, spread in all directions, and left standing only the Central House General Store, and the Rockefeller building. The Fire Commissioners decided the time had come to purchase a pumper truck. In 1925, a Sanford pumper was purchased. This pumper consisted of two Chemical tanks and a 500 G.P.M pump. Later, a Chevrolet truck was purchased with a front mount pump as well as a Chevrolet army surplus truck.

In 1955, a combination pumper-tanker was purchased with a three-stage 500 G.P.M. pump and high pressure Hose reels. This pumper was revamped in 1976 and then served as a reel truck. A hydraulic operated hose reel carried 2000 feet of 4" hose and accessories. The next major change was the construction of the present firehouse in 1958. Consisting of four truck bays with meeting room and kitchen on the second floor.

In 1967, American La France 1000 G.P.M. pumper-tanker was purchased. 1972 saw the addition of an emergency truck. The pride of the Company was delivered September 1976. This was also an American La France diesel powered, automatic transmission with 1500 G.P.M. pump and 1000 gallon stainless steel booster tank. A Surplus 6 by 6 was acquired from Civil defense and converted in a Brush Fire truck in 1977.

Germantown Firemen are proud of their fire station and fire fighting equipment; the residents of the town have shown their appreciation of the excellent job performed by the fireman, by granting overwhelmingly their every request for new equipment.