On May 16th, 1940, a group of residents realizing the inadequacy of the current fire protection plan, held their first meeting in the newly completed fire house to form a fire department. The charter membership totaled 38 residents.
Some of the equipment being used to fight fires at the time consisted of a chemical truck with a front end pump which was purchased in 1922 through pledges and donations by the residents who had formed the fire company for a short duration. There was also a 1939 Sanford Pumper which was purchased by a vote of the Palenville Fire District taxpayers. On October 8th, 1943, a Certificate of Incorporation was filed for the newly formed organization. In the years 1945, 1951, 1973, 1990 and 2000, the department was the host of the Greene County Volunteer Firemen's Conventions. The department has also committed to hose the 2015 Convention to Celebrate their 75th Anniversary.
In 1949, the members, realizing the scarcity of water in the area, purchased a second hand Mack Truck with a 1200 gallon water tank. With the aid of the Greene County Liquor Dealers Association and the Ladies Auxiliary, in 1951 the department purchased a rescuscitator for the use of the residents of the community.
In 1956, the department started the erection of the new hall on the land next to the firehouse which had been purchased in 1948. This building is used for meetings, social activities, and various fund raisers. Funds for the building of a fire hall and its maintenance were raised through raffles, buffet suppers, catered affairs and a variety of fund-raising by the Department members and Ladies Auxiliary.
A Mack pumper was purchased in 1958 to take the place of a 1922 REO which had become obsolete. In 1955, ever wishing to update equipment, the department purchased a 1955 Dodge tank truck to replace the Mack tank truck. The new tanker carried 1800 gallons of water to help protect the community.
In 1971 a new Hahn pumper was purchased. This truck had a 1000 gallon per minute pump with a 1000 gallon water tank. A 1981 Saulsbury/Ford Tanker was purchased to replace the Dodge.
In 1991 a Beck pumper was purchased to replace the 1958 Mack. The Beck has a 1250 gpm pump with 500 gallons of water.
In 1997, a Ford ambulance was acquired through a donation from the Greenport Rescue Squad. The ambulance was repainted and converted into a light duty rescue truck.
In 2002, voters of the Palenville Fire District approved funding for reconstruction of the fire station. The project, estimated at approximately $560,000.00, was completed in the Summer of 2005.
In 2008, the Fire District was awarded a $235,000 Federal Fire Act Grant for the purchase of a new pumper to replace the aging 1971 Hahn. A new Ferrara pumper was delivered in early 2009 with a 1250 GPM Pump and a 1000 gallon tank with a fully enclosed cab to carry six firefighters.
In 2010, the Cairo Fire District donated their 1983 Saulsbury Mini-Pumper to the Palenville Fire District. The unit was placed into service in December of 2010 as M22-5.
In August 2013, a 2000 AEV Medium Duty Rescue Truck was purchased. Rescue 22-1 was placed into service in October of 2013 and is set up to respond to EMS and Rope Rescue calls and also serves as a support vehicle at most calls. The vehicle replaces the 1990 Ford Ambulance M22-1 which has been sold..
Palenville Fire Department
A Brief History
We are always searching for old PFD pictures. If you have some to share, please contact Blake Garrison.
Photo above shows the PFD 1922 REO Engine at an unknown location.
Shown in photo (L-R) are Charter Members Collins Hyser, Marty Meiswinkle, Bill Renner and George Reick.
