About Wappingers Falls Fire Department

---

The W.T. Garner Engine Company No. 1 has been delivering essential fire protection services to Wappingers Falls for over one hundred and seventy-five years. Originally organized as the Franklindale Fire Company in 1837, this volunteer fire department was one of four, alongside Cohoes, Gernerville, and Newburgh, that received a new coal-fired and steam-operated fire pump thanks to the generosity of William T. Garner, owner of the large Dutchess Print Works complex. This new steamer, mounted on four wheels and drawn by a team of horses, represented a significant advancement over the hand-operated 'Resurrection' engine previously in use. In gratitude, the company renamed itself in 1869 to honor Mr. Garner, further solidifying its commitment to providing Wappingers Falls emergency services.

The first home for the new steamer, along with the two-wheeled hand-drawn hose wagon equipped with about 500 feet of 2" fire hose, was located in a building erected by Mr. Garner on lower Market Street, directly across from his main office. This establishment played a crucial role in the local volunteer fire department, which was instrumental in providing fire protection services. The Dutchess Print Works also contributed by offering a stable for the horses and a hose wagon large enough to carry a supply of coal, extra fire hose, and rubber coats, boots, and helmets essential for Wappingers Falls emergency services during a fire.

The new steamer saw action for the first time when fire erupted at the Faulkner barns on lower Market Street. Under the expert care of James Gilmore, a boilermaker at the Dutchess Print Works and the engineer in charge of it at all fires for several decades, the steamer provided essential fire protection services to the Wappingers Falls community from 1869 to 1918. This period of 49 years marked a significant era for the volunteer fire department before motorized equipment eventually replaced it, enhancing Wappingers Falls emergency services.

The motorized equipment, a LaVerne chemical and hose truck without a pumper, ultimately proved unsatisfactory for the volunteer fire department because the firemen, unable to pump water from other sources, had to rely solely on hydrant water pressure. However, in 1929, village officials replaced the LaVerne with an American-LaFrance combination pumper hose truck to enhance their fire protection services. During the 1920s, village officials also purchased the old firehouse for the village, and in 1940 bought a plot of ground on the south side of West Academy Street from the Clapp estate. Here, a two-story, brick fire company headquarters equipped with all modern equipment was erected to support Wappingers Falls emergency services.

The first floor of the new building dedicated space for two pieces of firefighting equipment, reflecting the commitment of the volunteer fire department to effective fire protection services, and also featured a reading room in the rear. Two large bay doors facilitated easy access to the street for the engines, ensuring quick responses for Wappingers Falls emergency services. The basement housed a kitchen, dining room, and storage area, while the second floor included a large meeting room. In 1969, additional space was created with an expansion at the back of the building.

In 1957, the village enhanced its fire protection services by replacing the American-LaFrance pumper with a new version of the same make, boasting greater pumping capacity and improved equipment. Ten years later, the village supplied the volunteer fire department with a new 75-foot aerial extension ladder truck, which is now housed at the West Academy Street station. This ladder truck has proven especially valuable to the men of both Garner Engine and Johnson companies, as it enables them to more effectively fight fires on the roofs of shopping plazas and the higher buildings along Wappingers Falls Main Street, enhancing Wappingers Falls emergency services.

In 1976, a new pumper on a Mach chassis was purchased, capable of holding 500 gallons of water and pumping 1,250 gallons per minute, which significantly enhanced the firefighting capabilities of the Garner Engine Company. However, this advancement posed a challenge due to the limited space of only two bays at the West Academy Street Station. As a temporary solution, the American-LaFrance was housed at the Johnson Fire house. Once the old incinerator at Franklindale and Clap Avenues was renovated in 1978 to serve as a satellite building for Garner Fire house, the American-LaFrance was relocated there, ultimately supporting the fire protection services provided by the volunteer fire department and improving Wappingers Falls emergency services.

The three pieces of equipment were ultimately reunited under one roof in 1985, when a three bay addition to the West Academy Street station was completed. This facility, dedicated to Edward "Zip" Pardee on April 4, 1985, features two of its bays facing Route 9D and one facing West Academy Street. Two years later, in 1987, the Garner Engine Company, a key part of the Wappingers Falls emergency services and a proud volunteer fire department, celebrated its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary. By 1990, extensive renovations transformed the two original bays at Garner Engine Company into a large recreation room, an Officer's room, and two bathrooms. In 1991, with the support of village officials, Garner Engine acquired a new LTI-110 foot ladder truck equipped with a 1500 gallon per minute pump, a 200 gallon tank, and a seven-man cab. This new truck, dedicated to Robert "Rope" Traver on November 2, 1991, continues to serve the fire protection services of the Village of Wappingers diligently to this day.

In 2005, village officials assisted the volunteer fire department in Garner Engine's acquisition of a Custom 2004 Rosenbauer Pumper on a Spartan chassis. This impressive apparatus is capable of holding 1000 gallons of water with automatic Class A Foam application, a 1750 gallons per minute pump, and features an eight-man enclosed cab. This new purchase significantly enhances Garner Engine's fire protection services, allowing them to aggressively fight fires and improve the overall effectiveness of Wappingers Falls emergency services. This piece of apparatus is still in use today.

As W.T. Garner Engine Company approaches its one hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary, its members remain as dedicated as ever to providing exemplary fire protection services to the residents of Wappingers Falls. Our volunteer fire department is expanding, and there is a bright future ahead for all members of W.T. Garner Engine Company. Each member consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty, volunteering their time to assist those in need. W.T. Garner continues to be an outstanding organization, known for its loyalty and commitment. As our motto states, we are 'Always Ready' to support Wappingers Falls emergency services.