The History behind the Company
In 1978, a small group of community members in the town of Lockwood, N.Y. had a concern about their safety in the event of a fire and decided to form their own company. The first building, which was established in an old garage donated by local farmer Art Simonds, for their use, initiated the fire company, and led to incorporation in 1979. In 1984, members of the company were able to construct a building, which is their current location on Route 34 in Lockwood, and have since acquired five fire trucks and an ATV. But this growth did not come without hard work and effort. When they began in 1979, area fire departments donated their old equipment to help them get started. This equipment included a 1957 Ford mini Pumper, a 1958 Ford water tanker and rubber fire jackets. The rubber jackets were taken out of service in 1989 when they received some newer jackets, and they purchased their first new fire boots in 1990. But the company still didn’t have pagers, and they had to utilize the telephone to contact each other when a fire call came in.
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In 1990, a grant received from New York State in the amount of $21,000 assisted with the purchase of new fire radios and pagers for all of the firefighters. This same year, the company was able to install heating and plumbing inside the station as well, and their income was up to about $6,000 per year; funding that allowed them to fit their 20 active members at that time with Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) approved Turn Out jackets. Receiving a FEMA grant received in 2001 for a Basic Water Tanker, the old tanker didn’t have a pump and was the only water truck available for use to transport water. The old 1980 Volvo tanker had over two million road miles on it, and the 2,000 gallon steel tank could not be repaired. The FEMA grant, which was awarded in the amount of $139,000, is an example of the benefit that grant programs can have on small town USA fire departments.
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Don Weisse, who was an active 24-year member of the company, serving as fire chief, chairman of the board, and even treasurer, was instrumental in writing the grants needed to help the small fire company grow.But in January of 2009, Weisse passed away following an extended illness, leaving a void in the department and large boots to fill.
On June 19th 2009, the company hosted a Round and Square dance at the station. Many turned out to dance the night away, and a lot of community members came to congratulate the fire company for trying to bring the memories back and get the community involved again in what once was called entertainment. On July 5, 2009 the company held its first tractor pull, as part of the First Annual Lockwood Fireman’s Field Days that followed this event on July 11th. Many came to enjoy the event with memories of the good old days. On this date the fire company hosted a water ball tournament, which hadn’t been performed in years.
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With the assistance of the chief officers, in 2019 the company was awarded, $14,000 from the Firehouse Sub Grant foundation for much needed, equipment sush as new helmets, boots, and gas monitoring devices.
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Just as recent as August of 2023, we now have a youth cadet program that allows youth ages 10 to 18 to join and learn some of the duties and tasks of a vounteer member. Weather it be an administrative member who helps with fundraising. A limited support member such as EMS only, Fire Police or Driver/Pump Operator. Or simply getting there interest in being a full volunteer firefighter when they reach the appropriate age.