Kennedy Fire Department 1925-2000

                                  75 Year Anniversary History

                        Written by Corey J Swanson

A meeting held on March 21, 1925 by the citizens residing in the lighting district of Kennedy marked the beginning of the Kennedy Fire Department. Three speakers: Fire Chief Rogers (Jamestown Fire Dept); Mr. F.A. Murray of the American LaFrance Fire Engine Company; and Mr. R.C. Brown of the Hartford Fire Insurance Company, were present and spoke on the advisability of forming an organization for fire protection, the history and development of fire-fighting apparatus, the effectiveness of chemical fire-fighting equipment, and the reductions in fire insurance rates that would occur if suitable chemical fire-fighting apparatus could be procured. It was moved and recorded at that meeting that a fire company be formed and called the Kennedy Fire Department No.1. The meeting was then adjourned until March 30th and was to be held at the I.O.O.F. Hall.

The meeting of March 30th established the charter membership for the department and the nineteen (19) people selected as the working base of the department. These 19 people included: T.P. Mattison, R.S. Palmer, E.R. Woodward, Frank Jones, L.G. Sands, Clarence Anderson, Clayton Nelson, Marion Fargo, S.J. Watkins, Harry Eccles, N.R. Saxton, Robert Case, Charles Hawkinson, William Thomas, Clarence Willis, Howard Crandall, Albert M. Tonger, J.B. Wheelock, and Frank Rissel. It was also decided upon to purchase a chemical fire-fighting apparatus with the cost not to exceed $4,000.00.

The first organized regular meeting of the Kennedy Fire Department No.1 was held on April 3, 1925. Officers elected included : L.G. Sands-President; Blaine Wheelock-Recording Secretary; Howard Crandall-Correspondence Secretary; Ralph Palmer-Treasurer; Tom P. Mattison-Foreman; Harry Eccles-First Assistant Foreman; Frank Rissel-Second Assistant Foreman; William Thomas-Trustee (1 Year Term); Marion Fargo-Trustee (2 Year Term); and Clarence Willis-Trustee (3 Year Term). Meetings were set up on the first Monday of each month with special meetings called as needed. By-Laws were introduced and discussed. After some changes were made they were accepted by vote of members present. Dues were also set at $1.00 annually. Bids were prepared and sent out to manufacturers for the purchase of a chemical fire-fighting apparatus.

The Fire Department voted to purchase a Larabee Chemical Truck from Peter Pirsch and Sons Company from Kinosha, Wisconsin at a bid price of $3,385.00. Several other bids were received but were not seriously considered. The truck had three (3) 40 gallon chemical tanks and all other necessary equipment mounted on a 1 ½ Ton Larabee Chassis. The department then voted to rent the barn owned by E.R. Woodward to store the truck downstairs and for use as a club upstairs with the rent set at $5.00 per month. By soliciting subscriptions, the department raised $300.00 which was used for a down payment for the truck. The department then held several Ox-Roasts which raised the rest of the money needed to pay for the truck.

The first fire in the village since the establishment of the Fire Department was in May of 1925 at the R.R. Willams and Sons Feed Mill. The fire was discovered around 10:00 PM and the alarm was given by the Baptist Church bell. By midnight the mill had been leveled to the ground, the cause was never determined. The Fire Department was rendered powerless by the lack of adequate equipment as the new truck had not yet been delivered.

Later in 1925, the Fire Department joined both the Chautauqua County Volunteer Firemans Association and the Southwestern Volunteer Firemans Association.

Over the next few years, the department looked at several lots and properties that were suitable for use as a fire hall. This search ended in 1928 with the purchase of the Kennedy Garage. The building and land was purchased for $4,000.00 and was, of all lots and properties considered, the most expensive. The department borrowed $2,000.00 from Chautauqua National Bank as a first mortgage and the remaining $2,000.00 from Ernest Erickson as a second mortgage. Throughout the next several years, repairs and improvements were made with some of the work and materials donated. In 1936, land on the north side of the fire hall was donated to the department by Miss Nora Fargo. In 1937, a 30 foot by 30 foot building was erected on that lot to house the fire truck on dance nights.

1937 also saw the addition of a second fire truck. The "Buffalo" Truck was purchased from the Buffalo Fire Appliance Company. The truck was purchased in April and was delivered to the department on July 7th. The first big test of the pumpers durability was at the Kennedy Hotel Fire on November 21,1937. The pumper broke down after only 4 ½ hours of pumping water. It was thought that the motor was too strong for the power take-off and possibly a bigger pump with a direct drive should be installed. Repairs were made to the truck and in 1942 a 500 GPM centrifuged pump was installed.

By late 1938, the firemens building had deteriorated to the point that the fire department could not afford the repairs and maintenance costs. It was voted to deed all properties owned by the fire department back to Ernest Erickson, who agreed to this, and was then to be rented by the Fire Commissioners. In 1946, the fire department re-purchased the land and buildings from Mr. Erickson. The buildings were later torn down in 1954 and a new building was constructed at a cost of just over $8,000.00. This building is currently the lower truck bay and hall. In 1973, land adjacent to this new building was purchased and an addition of 2 truck bays were constructed in 1978.