As the result of a garage fire on Carman Road, a group of concerned citizens joined together and formed the Fort Hunter Volunteer Fire Company in March of 1950. Within months of the formation of the company, the ladies formed the Auxiliary and the official corporation was established. Ed Kulczyk donated the use of his garage which was located across Carman Road form the current firehouse. With some donations from the community and much volunteer effort, it was converted into the first firehouse.
A 1946 1 1/2 ton conventional rack truck was purchased.
Using steel plate donated by a local business, a surplus portable pump from the
Office of Civilian Defense and ingenious hard work, it was converted into the
first engine. A member with previous experience with a
The first siren was donated and the tower was secured from Rotterdam District II. With the use of some borrowed equipment and manpower, the tower was dismantled, loaded onto trucks, and reassembled at the rear of the fire station.
A fire call would come into a party line consisting of five telephones; one in Ed Kulczyk's home and one in his gas station. The third and fourth were in J. Buckley’s home and store respectively. The fifth was in the firehouse. Any one of the telephones could accept a call and blow the siren at the firehouse. Quick response was encouraged, since the first six members got to wear the gear; provided they could fit into it.
Support of the company and purchase equipment was no easy task. Community donation drives, paper drives, drive-in theater benefit nights, bazaars, pancake breakfasts, and a hot dog concession at the Altamont Fair all helped to secure funds. The Ladies Auxiliary contributed greatly in these efforts and must be credited with the purchase of the first new ladder, lengths of hose and a portable radio.
In 1953, construction of the original part of the previous firehouse was begun. The increased financial burdens inspired the formation of a Fire District with the power to tax resources for operating funds. The Fire District then took over construction of the new firehouse and purchased our second truck (a tanker) from Carman Fire Department. In 1955, construction of the original part of the previous firehouse was completed. The first annual Turkey Raffle was held, and became the company's financial mainstay until 1980. With the passage of new wagering laws, that tradition came to an abrupt end and members started to solicit funds door to door. Due to the increasing number of households in the fire district, the annual fund drive changed to soliciting donations by mail and provides the Chief and officers the chance to update the community with the occurrences of the past year. In 1957, the first two-way radio was installed to join Fort Hunter to the countywide radio system. Another tradition was started with the first annual Children's Halloween Party; a community favorite that continues to this day. In 1959, the membership purchased 23.5 acres of land at the rear of the firehouse, which provides recreational facilities and a clam bake shed.
In the early sixties, the old tanker was replaced with a new 1400 gallon tanker. A new custom engine capable of pumping 750 g.p.m. was purchased in 1965 and served until 1987.
The firehouse was expanded in 1970 with the addition of a meeting room, a recreation room and a kitchen. In the early seventies, a replacement tanker was purchased and served until 1992. Due to the increased need for an off-road vehicle, a four-wheel drive mini-pumper with pump and roll capabilities was purchased in 1972. This unit, being one-of-a-kind in Guilderland, went to many mutual-aid calls and served for 24 years. A Ward-LaFrance 1500 g.p.m. diesel pumper with seating for five was purchased in 1975. This was the first lime green engine to break our traditional fire engine color of red.
A new squad truck was purchased on 1980. It carried equipment for rescue, extrication, salvage and overhaul, a cascade air system and a generator. The squad had the ability to supply power to the station in the event of a commercial power failure. On August 7, 1981, a vehicle struck the front of the firehouse, causing considerable damage. Our firehouse expanded again in 1985, bringing us to 5 bays, eliminating the need to double stack equipment in the original three bays, as well as the addition of an officers' room, Commissioner's room storage and dispatch center. With the town expanding at a rapid rate, the need for more water was evident. In 1985, the Company sold four acres to the Town of Guilderland for the construction of a 1 million gallon water tank, which greatly increased water pressure and firefighting capabilities. In 1987, the district purchased a 1500 g.p.m. Pierce Lance pumper with a 750 gallon tank and seating for six, eliminating the need for the firefighters to ride on the rear step. Included in the pumper's innovations was a top mount pump that took the operator off the street and placed him on a platform.
In 1992, a new pumper-tanker was purchased with a 1500 g.p.m. and a 1500 gallon tank. It has a top mount pump, quick dump and portable tank. This truck provides protection for areas without hydrants such as the Thruway. It also became our mutual-aid piece. The next few years were spent upgrading our rescue and extrication abilities with the purchase of hand tools, a 54-ton air bag system, and a Lucas hydraulic rescue system. With the new equipment, we were running out of space in the squad. A committee was formed and after two years of design a new Squad was purchased. The new squad included ir-hose reels, hydraulic-hose reels for the rescue tools, a 45 kw generator, light tower and seating for eight. In order to assist the chief in setting up a command post, a state-of-the-art command vehicle was purchased in 1996. In the rear of the vehicle is a command area with pre-plan files and a command board. Delivery of a new truck was taken in 1998. It has a 200 gallon skid pump unit; and like the 1972 brush truck it replaced, can pump and roll at the same time. October of 1999 brought a new pumper to replace the 1975 Ward-LaFrance pumper which survived the firehouse fire of 1981. Within 30 minutes of being placed into service, the new pumper rolled on its first call.
As the community supports us, we try to aid the community beyond fire suppression. In addition to the Halloween party, our Auxiliary host a community Breakfast with Santa which is held on the first Saturday of December. In 1998, we started the annual neighborhood Santa visit during which Santa rides through the local neighborhoods on our Fire Engines.