Sodus Point Fire Department History
"The citizens of Sodus Point met at Guild Hall on Thursday evening, April 28th, 1910, for the purpose of organizing a Volunteer Fire Company, at which time 21 men were present and volunteered their services. The first organization was a Hook and Ladder company and a Bucket Brigade.
The Company worked with small equipment until April 23rd, 1913, when the Department was re-organized and a Fire District established in the village by the Fire Commissioners. Since that time the Department has made steady progress.
The new orgainzation consists of 60 men and has three Companies, namely: Hook and Ladder Company, foreman, E.C.Morley; Engine Company, Engineer, Ward DeVille; and Hose Company, foreman, George Mabb.
The engine is one of the later styles of motor power, manufactured by the Howe Engine Company, and capable of pumping three streams of water at a pressure of 125 pounds, and is a 40 H.P. Rutenberg motor and also equipped with hand pumps, which at full capacity will pump 800 barrels per hour. The Hose Company has two hose carts and 1600 feet of standard hose. The Hook and Ladder Company has one ladder truck and a full line of fire-fighting apparatus.
The Officers of the organization are: Chief, George Schuyler; Assistant Chief, Emmet Carrier; Secretary, Ralph Bishop; Treasurer, Van DeVille.
When the country issued the call for men to fight in the World War, the following members entered the service: Leo Helfer, Carolton Topping, Anson Philo,
Arthur Helfer, Alvin Torrey, Victor Raymer, and Jon McMillin. The Company and village mours the loss of John McMillin, who paid the supreme sacrifice, having died in a hospital in France on Augutst 24th, 1918, of pneumonia.
The Fire District Built a nice Fire House with a very good club room on the second floor. The cellar of the fire House is in the form of a cistern and holds about 800 barrels, or the capacity of one hour's pumping with the fire engine."
The above SPFD History is an excerpt from the "14th Annual Convention of the Lake Shore Volunteer Firemen's Association Held at Sodus Point, Wayne Co., N.Y. Thursday, August 7th, 1919 - OFFICIAL SOUVENIR" Book. If you would like to purchase a copy of this historical book, please contact the SPFD Historian, Robert Jones, Sr. at (315) 483-4650. Proceeds from the sale of this book go to the Sodus Point Fire Department.
