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The history of the Rock Hill Fire Department begins
as does the history of most fire departments. A group of community
residents saw a community beginning to grow and identified the lack of
fire protection. So, on July 28, 1956 a group of men met at the Rock Hill
Methodist Church. With John Behrens presiding, the temporary fire
committee was Richard Benson as President, John Behrens as Vice President,
Richard Bailey as Secretary, and William Foss as Treasurer. Gilbert Foss
was the first Fire |
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| Chief and Edwin Case was the Assistant
Chief. At around the same time, the Women’s Auxiliary was organized. The
first officers were Mrs. Richard Bailey as President, Mrs. Richard Benson
as Vice-President, Mrs. John Barton as Secretary, and Mrs. Rudolph Finke
as Treasurer. |
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| Immediately committees were formed to raise the funds
to buy land and equipment. The community spirit prevailed through
auctions, dinners, dances and distribution of handbills asking for
contributions from the local residents and businesses. |
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| Almost a year after organizing, the first fire truck
was purchased on June 12, 1957. It was a 1934 Seagrave 500GPM Pumper and
cost $300. By comparison, a fully outfitted pumper now would cost in the
neighborhood of $375,000. It was stored in a barn on the Crawford
property until the Tubell property on Glen Wild Road was purchased for
$2,500 in October 1957. Ground was broken immediately for the 32 x 52
firehouse which cost $13,000. |
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| On January 28, 1958, a bill was introduced to the New
York State Legislature by the Honorable Hyman E. Mintz, Assemblyman,
Sullivan County. This bill authorized the Town Board of the Town of
Thompson, Sullivan County, to establish the Rock Hill Fire District within
such town. The bill was passed by the assembly on March 12, 1958 and
signed by Governor Harriman on April 18, 1958. At a public meeting on Tuesday, December 2, 1958, the
following first Fire Commissioners were elected: David Jaffe-5 years;
Vincent Dollard-4 years; Arnold Sheeley-3 years; Andrew Gordon-2 years;
and Martin Gottlieb-1 year. John Behrens was elected Treasurer and
Secretary for 3 years. Twenty two ballots were cast.
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On July 1,
1959, the Department officially became active and began answering alarms
with the first fire call on July 11, 1959. Additional trucks were
purchased in 1959, 1960, 1962, 1965, and 1974. Additions to the firehouse
were built in October 1960, May 1972 and 1973. The grounds were improved
with a baseball field and basketball court and fenced. |
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Today the
Rock Hill Fire Department has over 55 active members and welcomes new
members each year and encourages community residents to join. 2003 was
our busiest year in history, with the volunteers answering 203 alarms. |
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None of
these things could have been accomplished without the willing spirit of
the community at large. Funds are still raised each year by mail
campaign, lottery raffles, pancake breakfasts, chicken barbeques and a
golf tournament. The Rock Hill Fire Department continues to be a very
fortunate department with an overwhelmingly supportive community. |
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