WHO WE ARE AND HOW WE STARTED

Well I guess it all started back with one of our oldest companies of the St James Fire Department Eagle Hook and Ladder Co.No. 1.

Organized in 1908 "after frequent losses by fires, the inhabitants of St James saw the need for fire protection and organized the Eagle Hook and Ladder Company."

A temporary steel shed was built just west of where the permanent firehouse was to be built on Woodlawn Avenue and served not only to house the fire apparatus, but as a donation headquarters for the new firehouse. A donation committee was set up and worked hard to raise the funds to build the permanent firehouse by having dances. Any deficiency in the building fund was made up by William Weber; the local grocer, and Joseph Eschenbach the local tavern owner and construction of the permanent firehouse began.

Upon completion, these two men handled the business end of the fire company and rented it out as a dance and amusement hall for the town. According to T. Edward Ellis, these men split the profits between them and "the Hook and Ladder Company never saw a dime."

The cornerstone for the permanent firehouse was laid at a dedication ceremony by Mayor Gaynor of New York City and Congressman W.W.Cocks on July 2, 1910.

Construction of the building began on October 1, 1909 and was completed on December 31, 1913. The main building still stands today and is now the Full Gospel Assembly of God Church.

When the company was organized, "it consisted of 12 firemen, a hand drawn fire cart, canvas buckets, shovels and some ladders."

This hook and ladder fire wagon was purchased from the Smithtown Fire Department in July of 1909. Smithtown had purchased the ladder wagon from the Bayport Fire Department on September 23, 1908 for $75.00. No wonder Smithtown got rid of it so fast since it was clumsy to maneuver on the dirt roads and required a team of men to pull it. After two years, the company got rid of it by pulling it up to the St. James railroad station where it was loaded on a flatcar and transported to Sag Harbor for a tournament. Once the tournament was over, the men left it there.

A 40-gallon chemical tank mounted on two wheels replaced it. Founding member T. Edward Ellis stated "it had such limited capacity and it took such an effort to drag it to a fire, that it was almost pointless to respond to a fire." In one instance, the company responded to a barn fire at Mayor Gaynors, which was located Across from the Deepwells Estate and upon arrival, the fire was found raging through the hayloft. The 40 gallons of chemical was insufficent and after it was used up, the members watched helplessly as the barn burned to the ground.

The company struggled on for some 14 years until intrest in the company reached such a low level that the company collapsed because of lack of financial support. Due to this lack of money, the company could not purchase modern fire equiptment. A motorized pumper was donated after World War 1 but stayed in the firehouse unused and neglected due to the lack of support by the community.

On December 31, 1921, a New Years Eve dance was held at the firehouse. The pumper was placed alongside the building so the hall could be used. Left outside overnight it was found to be frozen solid in the mud the next morning with the engine block seized also. There it remained.

In the middle of the night on a Monday ,January 2, 1922, the Sam Yochmowitz barn caught fire and spread to the adjacent grocery store. Due to inadequate fire apparatus, several buildings in the business district of St. James were destroyed. Smithtown and Stony Brook Fire Department responded and extinguished the fires.  Afterwards the people of St. James realized they needed a new drive for more department members, and better equipment.

On January 8th, 1922 a mass meeting was called at the Fireman's Hall for organizing the St. James Fire Company. On March 14, 1922, the St. James Fire Company was incorporated with the members of the Eagle Hook and Ladder joining the ranks.

In that month that the newly formed company was incorporated the members voted in it's first Fire Chief John O'Berry.

The St. James Fire Company changed it's name to the St. James Fire Department, Inc on March 15, 1932. On June 21, 1935, a fire district was established to cover the cost of firefighting equiptment through taxes instead of annual fundraisers by the volunteers themselves.

1930's photo of a 1922 MODEL T FORD  with CLARANCE ACKER, JOSEPH MILESKI

FRANK FIRTH, LAWRENCE SMITH and WESLEY WOLFE

(name's are from left to right)

The first companies to form under the new dept were engine co.1 and engine co.2 established on Feb, 3 1932. The Hook and Ladder Company did not reorganize within the St. James Fire Department until February 10th 1947.

In the mid 80's the Hook and Ladder Company changed their name to the Eagle Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. This change reflected their long history and heritage protecting life and property to the residents of St. James.

In 1956 the Emergency Medical Squad was formed and since that year the squad has evolved into a most important part of the St. James Fire Department, it is a part of the Fire Rescue Company that was established in April of 1984. Within the company they run and maintain a Heavy Rescue truck ,2 ambulances and a First responder vehicle.

photo of the ambulance in 1960

The ambulance's and the First responder vehicle are maned by member's from all the companies and make up a crew of highly skilled AEMT'S, EMT'S and First Responders. There many hours of training and devotion help provide the residents of St. James with first class EMS service.

Photo Taken by Vic Johnston in 2001 of the Fire Rescue Company

In 1962 on the 3rd of October Engine co. 3 was established and since that time has grown into another of the Department's well run companies.

ENG 3 MEMBERS FROM 1963

ENG 3 TODAY

Photo's by VICTOR JOHNSTON

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OLD PIC'S FROM THE FIRE HOUSE

THE ST JAMES F.D. DRUM & BUGLE CORPS 1938

BACK ROW: MARTIN HANDSHAW,ROBERT DANIELSEN,PAT GREANLY,MAC?,HOWARD SCHOYEN,RICH IKE,EDDIE SCHOYEN. FRONT ROW: HAROLD SCHUMACHER,STAN NELSEN,CHESTER SCHOYEN,ROB NELSEN,HENRY SIMKATIS

THE OLD HOOK & LADDER CO. A 1946 WARDLAFRANCE QUAD

THE OLD ENGINE 1 A 1955 WARDLAFRANCE

THE OLD ENG 2 NOW CALLED 435

THE DUCK AN OLD WORLD WAR II SURPLUS AMPHIBIOUS GIVEN TO THE DEPT.

BY THE U.S. WAR DEPT.

PHOTO FROM A 1961 PARADE

A special thanks to VIC JOHNSTON for all historical information gathered.