Port Washington Fire Department
Long Island, New York

Serving the Port Washington community with pride

Business Office:
423 Port Washington Boulevard 
Port Washington, New York 11050 
516-883-2200 / 516-883-2659 [fax] 

Before 1886, with the organizing of Atlantic Hook & Ladder Company #1, there is no recorded history of established measures for combating fire on the peninsula of Port Washington (then known as Cow Neck). One would have to assume that neighbor helped neighbor with bucket brigades, or possibly relied upon a bordering community such as Roslyn. In rural communities such as ours the basic approach was to concentrate on saving any surrounding structures and as much of the removable contents of the burning building as possible.

As the twentieth century approached, Port Washington was advancing through a rapid transformation from a sleepy farming and fishing community with a population of a few thousand, to a bustling summer resort and commuter town, which resulted in an outburst of building and businesses. With the extension of the Long Island Railroad in 1898 our population increased dramatically. There were demands for modern conveniences such as water and sewer systems, electricity, modern transportation and paved roadways.

The need for a firefighting organization became imperative. In September of 1886, Atlantic was organized. However, it was not until July of 1888 when the first apparatus arrived in town. It was a Gleason & Bailey hook & ladder wagon complete with buckets, for the sum of $407. (Presently in the Nassau County Museum system and still paraded on special occasions.) It would see active service for 22 years.

In those days the center of the community was lower Main Street, by the bay, and where Atlantic constructed their firehouse, known as Liberty Hall. For many years Liberty Hall was the center of just about all community activity including religious services, a home of the public library, dance hall, movie theater and they actually played basketball in the meeting room!

It became evident that an engine capable of pumping water was desperately needed to enhance the abilities of AHL. With that thought in mind some of the founders of Atlantic organized Protection Fire Engine Company 1 in November of 1891. In March of 1892, Protection received a Rumsey & Company hand engine, capable of charging two hose lines and throwing water 140 feet, but it took twenty people to operate the "pumping brakes." The engine and a hose cart cost $825. The Rumsey proved its worth on countless occasions including traveling to surrounding communities for fire duty and was used until 1914. (On display at the American Museum of Firefighting, Hudson, NY)

Protection, like Atlantics, made their home in the lower Main Street area as they both do today.

After the opening of the Long Island Railroad station, located inland from the bay, and the improvement of roads leading to and from Port Washington in the same vicinity, expansive development started to take place. As farms were sub-divided for housing and the population grew away from the bay area creating a new and much larger business district, a need emerged for additional fire protection.

In April of 1905, Flower Hill Hose Company #1 was organized and purchased a hand drawn hose cart with buckets. With the exception of their first couple of years FHH has always been located on Haven Avenue (Railroad Ave in the old days), erecting their first firehouse in 1908. Their formation and location greatly enhanced the safety of the community from the ravages of fire.

It is interesting to note that several of the same names appear on the charter member list or were the first officers of each company. Either they were really civic minded, or kept moving further uptown, or just liked new things!

In those early days all three companies raised money to pay for their apparatus, equipment and buildings through members dues and loans. However, most income came from fund raising activities of the members, their wives and their respective Ladies Auxiliaries. These activities provided tremendous community involvement from picnics, fairs, theatrical performances, movies and dinners.

It became clear that some form of central organization was needed for the three companies. In March of 1907, the first meeting of the newly established Port Washington Fire Department was held. The Fire Board would consist of a Chief from each company, (two acting as deputies), a clerk, treasurer, surgeon and two officers from each company. Its purpose would be to coordinate the activities of the companies relating to fires, and any other areas which the companies might agree upon.

We should take a moment to clarify a misunderstood situation. A fourth fire company existed in 1907, called Nassau Hose Company #2. Little history or documents exist concerning them, however it has been generally understood they were organized by a disgruntled group of members from Atlantic and Protection. Although they existed at the time the Port Washington Fire Department was organized they did not have any equipment or a charter. In July of 1907 they were accepted into the Department and operated with a hose cart borrowed from Protection and eventually purchased a motorized hose wagon. They operated from various locations in the lower Main Street area, never having a permanent home and eventually ceased operations in 1922. For the most part their members re-joined the ranks of Atlantic and Protection.

The Port Washington Fire Department has furnished a primary ambulance service to the community since the early 1920's. This was accomplished through the efforts of members serving double duty, and during World War II the Department was assisted by citizens of the community. As years passed the demands of the this service in addition to those of being a volunteer firefighter caused the Department to create a new company to specifically handle these emergency medical service responsibilities. In 1979 Fire Medic Company #1 was organized.

The Fire Medics provide 'round the clock coverage utilizing the most advanced life support systems with highly trained technicians. The demands of their responsibilities include 110 hours of "basic" courses and hands on training to become an Emergency Medical Technician ("EMT") and an additional 320 hours of courses to become an Advanced Medical Technician ("EMT-CC"). In addition, they must take course updates and be requalified every 3 years. Fire Medic Company No. 1 has three Advanced Life Support capable Ambulances as well as a primary response ("fly-car") vehicle.

Throughout the years Atlantic, Protection and Flower Hill have maintained a high level of firefighting proficiency by continually updating their equipment and adjusting to the ever-changing demographics of the community. We have gone through the hand-pulled, horsedrawn period to the era of the first powerful vehicles; the 1927 American LaFrance ladder/pumper of Atlantic; the 1927 American LaFrance of Protection and the 1928 Mack of Flower Hill, both 1000GPM pumpers; Atlantic's 1938, American LaFrance 75' aerial, which was on exhibit at the 1939 World's Fair. Then came the "high pressure" vehicles of the post W.W.II period; and the modern fleet which includes the rigs we have today.

The Ladies Auxiliaries of the Department and the Companies have been an invaluable asset over the years. To a very large degree their contributions go relatively unnoticed. Yet, without their support and sacrifices our tasks would only be more difficult. Their fund raising activities have often been imperative in the purchasing of property and equipment. On innumerable occasions they have provided refreshments during emergencies and continue to make many of the same personal sacrifices as the members.

Every generation has its memorable fires or emergencies. Through the years we have experienced the Sands Point Hotel and the Mott Estate fires in the 1890's; the complete destruction of the lower Main Street business district in the 1902; the Muzante and Purdy Boat Yard fires of the 1920's; the Hurricane of 1938; the Emmerson fire and the Berg Oil explosion of the 1940's; the yacht and country club fires of the 1950's; Bradley's and Renga Brothers of the 1960's; the lumber and boat yard fires of the 1970's; the Sands Point Bath Club and 165 Main Street fires of the 1980's and Shield's Hardware and the Sands Point Nursing Home of the 1990's. All this in addition to the countless hurricanes, blizzards and other natural emergencies which have affected our community in the past.

Participating together has always been an integral part of volunteer fire departments and companies. Port Washington has enjoyed that camaraderie over the years by having competitive teams on the drill course and softball field. For many years we had three drill teams: Atlantic's "Rowdies;" Protection's "Rangers;" and Flower Hill's "Runts." In the late 1960's Protection and Flower Hill combined forces to form the "Road Runners," winning State Championships in 1969 and 1973. Before long Atlantic and eventually the Fire Medics joined the "Road Runners" forming one Department team. In addition, the Port Washington FD softball team captured six State Championships from 1986 through 1991.

Today, the all volunteer Port Washington Fire Department is one of the largest in New York State covering 11 square miles, including six incorporated villages and a large unincorporated area of the Town of North Hempstead. We have seven firehouses and over 30 pieces of Fire Apparatus and support equipment. The PWFD is consistently ranked as one of the businest fire departments in Nassau County.

We look forward to continued dedicated service to our community for many years to come.