Our History

From 1900 to 1905, Smithtown had suffered many severe fires that created some measure of apprehension. These fires gradually aroused the awareness of the town folks that some means of fire fighting and protection was needed. Many meetings were convened with little or no satisfactory results.

Then on February 26, 1908, a group of concerned townsmen met and came to a definite decision to form a much needed Fire Department. At a meeting held on March 8, 1908, they setup what was then known as "The Smithtown Volunteer Hook and Ladder Company". Its first equipment was the purchase of one dozen long handled shovels. J.S. Huntting, one of the Charter Members and owner of the general store, which is now the Colonial Furniture Shoppe, donated a small parcel of land on Bellemeade Ave, for the sole purpose of building a fire house on the site.

In November, 1908, the Long Island Railroad donated a rim from one of the drive wheels of an out shopped locomotive, to be used as an alarm, which resonated very loud, when struck with a sledge hammer. This rim was fitted and installed on a steel tower, built and donated by John Holm, in the rear and above the fire house, which was under construction at this time.

On September 16,1908, came a disastrous fire, which destroyed the Hallock Blacksmith Shop. This building was a large wood frame building, three stories high, 75 feet long and 35 feet deep. It was situated on the corner of Landing Avenue and Main Street. The shingled roof caught fire by a spark from the chimney of the blacksmith's forge. This small abetted into a blaze by a brisk north wind. The ringing of the school and church bells sounded the alarm for help. This building was doomed from the start of the fire, because no ladders were long enough to reach the roof. All efforts were then turned to saving nearby buildings. Two large barns belonging to C.B. Darling went down in flames. The fires burned themselves out. The fire would have devastated other buildings in the nearby area had not Kings Park State Hospital sent over a large chemical engine towed over from there behind a farm wagon, drawn by a team of horses. This fire had a profound and dramatic effect on this newly organized Fire Department and all the town folks. It clearly illustrated the need and the necessity for the vital fire fighting equipment and apparatus. Here, a very important and vital business to the community was destroyed. A loss to the farmers, wagon masters, and teamsters and the town in general. Two days after this fire, the department bought a hook and ladder truck from Bayport for $75.00. This purchase had been proposed and approved. Now the Smithtown Volunteer Hook and Ladder Company had a piece of rolling equipment, of which they were very proud, with ladders and buckets, and from the records, many roof fires were put out before they became destructive.

On December 11, 1908, a two wheel American La France chemical engine, costing $600.00 was delivered to the fire department, and 15 members were appointed to man it as a company. Now the department had two fine pieces of apparatus. With the acquisition of the new chemical engine, and already in possession of a hook and ladder, it showed the townsfolk that Smithtown Volunteer Hook and Ladder Company was "stepping ahead", and from that day on the department improvement, progress and efficiency.

On January 4, 1909, at the first annual meeting, officers were elected and three trustees were appointed: J Evans Crane, Chief; Frank E. Brush, Assistant Chief; G. Everett Hand, Treasurer and George B. Purick, Secretary.

On February 11, 1909, papers were drawn up for incorporation pursuant to a petition, which was presented to the Town Board, who in turn granted the permission and right to form a Fire Department.

On March 2, 1909, the new fire house was completed and dedicated with an open house to the public. It was brilliantly illuminated inside by two large Rochester oil lamps, hanging from the ceiling. What an impressive sight it must have been with the rays from the oil lamps glistening on the "Hook and Ladder" and "chemical tank engine". It remained the fire house until 1955, when the department moved to its new headquarters on Elm Ave, where it is today.