When the Lackawanna Iron and Steel Company first came to the area in 1899, prior to the incorporation of Lackawanna as
a city, they provided for their own fire department. Due to the rapid population growth caused by the steel plant, the
then Town of West Seneca was prompted to organize several volunteer companies in the District Three Area. The first
of these companies being the First Volunteer Company and Roland Hose Company in 1903 with Stoney Point company being added
that same year and victory Hose in 1907. This was the district's first line of protection in a time when building was
rampant and fire regulations a rarity. George Avery was responsible for providing the horses that were attached to the
hose carts that would travel to the scene. At this time close to 300 volunteer firemen were working out of these four
firehouses.
In 1909, Lackawanna was officially chartered as a City. The first mayor, Robert H. Reed, chose Joseph Bouley as
Chief of the Fire Department. Due to the commercial activity that kept pace with the growing community and the expanding
steel plant, Bouley's first task was to organize a paid fire department. The first firehouse was House #1 located on
Ridge Road and was equipped with three horse drawn hose and chemical wagons. A few years later Victory Hose became House
#2 with a single horse drawn combination hose and chemical wagon. In the summer of 1915, a new firehouse was added on
Abbott Road and was named House #3. This firehouse was equipped the same as House #2.
The Department consisted of two commissioners, one fire chief, two captains, two lieutenants, one electrician, and twelve
pipemen. In 1914 alone, these 20 men battled 70 fires via horse drawn transportation. At this time the department
had a call box system and maintained 35 fireboxes from which alarms could be sent. All a person needed to do was break
the glass, turn the key, and the fire department would be notified to respond to that location. One hundred and ten
fire hydrants were installed throughout the city of which ten were flush hydrants that the department used to water down the
dirt streets. The cost of operating the Department for the first year was $22,000 and included salaries, maintenance
of apparatus and feed for the stock.
As we look back on the past 95 plus years, we can see many changes from these early days. The start of the Lackawanna
Firefighters Benevolent Association in 1921, the replacement of horse drawn carts wit motorized fire trucks, the relocation
of the three firehouses, manpower growth of up to 120 during the steel mill boom and the modernization of firefighting techniques.
Thousands of live have been saved and millions on dollars of property loss prevented by these brave men both past and present.
To this day, the more than 40 members of our current Fire Department are proud to uphold and carry out the traditions
of bravery and self-sacrifice first demonstrated by our early firefighting brothers.
by William Tojek
