Company No.
1 was founded in 1912 when the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire
Department came into existence. Most of the members of
the old Hill & Valley Fire Department residing in
the vicinity were assigned to Company No. 1, which was
then called Section 1 of the Department.
Company No. 1 has been quartered in three firehouses.
The first was located on Plandome Road right next door
to the old St. Mary’s Church, which has since moved
to Northern Blvd. We moved to our second house on Bayview
Avenue in 1925. That building still stands and is operated
by American Legion Post. In 1951, Company No. 1 moved
to its current quarters, right next door.
Company No. 1 was the fire Department Engine Company.
Our first piece of fire apparatus was a hand operated
pumper which, in those days, was known as a “man
killer.” When a fire occurred, someone summoned
the Company by striking an iron ring with a hammer. Sometimes
a member would show up with a team of horses to pull the
pumper to the fire, but most often, it had to be pulled
by the members. Once there, it would be positioned near
a well or pond. The members would then line up and work
the handles up and down to pump water. As you can imagine,
this job of pumping was very taxing. In most cases, five
minutes was the maximum that a man could be expected to
spend on the handles without taking a rest. Therefore,
the pump was operated in relays with the men working five
and resting five. At large fires it was expected that
onlookers who were physically able would step up and give
the firemen a hand.
The Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department never operated
a steam pumper. Steam pumpers were very popular between
1880 and 1925. in fact, the New York City Fire Department
operated at least one such pumper till 1933. I suppose
that the rural nature of the District precluded the purchase
of such high-powered equipment during the early days.
So, we moved directly from hand operation to gasoline
power.
Company No. 1 has operated many pumpers over the years.
Some were liked by some of the members, others were disliked
for whatever reason, but one was loved. It was a ten feet
six inches from her hood ornament to the horn ring on
the steering wheel. She was faster than any other pumper
on the road and she could pump 1000 gallons per minute
for two weeks straight without making a whimper. This
cross between an Indy 500 race car and the Ile de France,
affectionately known as “Big Bertha” came
to Company No. 1 in 1940 and stayed a little longer than
20 years.
True to her breeding, Big Bertha was retired to the green
hills of Pennsylvania where probably is still first due.
It is possible that if the Pearly Gates ever catch fire,
Big Bertha would be summoned from wherever she is resting
to deliver the coup de grace. For any who may be interested,
a large colored photograph of Big Bertha now adorns the
Company Room floor at the firehouse.
The current apparatus of the Company consists of Engines
8712 and 8711, and Light Rescue 8713. The Company No.
1 firehouse also houses Fly Car 8799.
The Company is proud of its members both living and dead
who have served the community so well for the past 90
years. We also make special note of the many Chiefs, Fiscal
Officers and Commissioners who we have given to the Department
over the years. To them has fallen the responsibility
of shaping the policies of the Department and creating
the atmosphere in which Company No. 1 and the Department
has thrived.
Special thanks
to Commissioner Robert DeVito for the historical photos.
