With the 200th anniversary of Ossining's Bravest , Patch thought it would be appropriate to show residents the history of the Volunteer-Spirted Town's heroes.

The president of WH&L Company, Thomas Pasquel, was kind enough to send us an in-depth history of Westchester's old fire company:

What is it like to be 200 years old?

To get the whole story, one must begin in the hamlet of Sing Sing (now Ossining) on May 4, 1812, when the first company of volunteer firemen was organized in Westchester County.  Washington Engine Company was organized primarily to provide exemptions for its members from military service in the War of 1812 and to protect the businesses of the wealthy.

Washington Engine Company of Sing Sing, New York purchased a tub style 1780's gooseneck hand engine from New York City in June of 1812. This engine was used by the first organized fire company of New York City known as Engine No. 1 and was stationed on Duane Street, cross street of Washington Street and Reade Street in what is now Tribeca in lower Manhattan (see picture)

The engine box was ornamented with a portrait of George Washington; this fact may have contributed to the selection of the name of the company but no records exist to verify that fact (see picture).

Washington Engine Company and its first engine were housed in a little frame shanty a short distance southeast of Hubble's Corner (Main Street and Albany Post Road) where the bank with the clock stands today (see picture).

Many of the founders were members of Ossining's pioneer families. The earliest membership of the company was made up of 15 village merchants; they were public spirited men, all notable figures in the welfare, progress, social, business and political life, contributing much of their time, labor and money to the advancement of Sing Sing. 

Their certificates of membership were written on slips of paper which you can read by clicking on the pictures to the right of this story.

Washington Engine Company constituted the entire Ossining Fire Department until a second unit, Hudson Fire Company No. 2 was formed in 1825, and Protection Engine added in 1836.

The known history of Washington Engine Company is interwoven with the history of its fire trucks, of which there have been only nine in 200 years. The first was one of those-called "goose necks" so named because the attachment on the engine was the shape of a goose neck and could be turned in any direction. This particular engine also had a suction apparatus for drawing water which was superior in design over engines purchased subsequently for additional Sing Sing fire companies that required lifting buckets of water to fill their tanks.

When "goose-necks" became outmoded, $2,000 was raised by village citizens in 1856 for purchasing a new hand engine and two hose carriages. Washington Engine Co. No.1 received a hand engine, Ossining Hose Company (1856) was formed to operate the first hose carriage, and Protection Hose Company (1857) received the second hose carriages the following year. Unfortunately, the hose carriages did not arrive until a few days after a disastrous fire which consumed the office of the Westchester Herald Newspaper and several other buildings on Main Street. The new engine and carriage were stored in a room at the old Eagle Hotel, located at the intersection of Main Street and Church Street, overlooking Pleasant Square. This early coupling of the two companies continued to companion them at three successive locations and still does to this day.

Controversy in History 1864 – 1873 R.I.P.

After receiving a new hand engine in 1856 the original hand engine relinquished by Washington Engine Company was painted brilliant red, denominated "Red Rover" and given to a company of Strangtown Boys a company composed of men who lived in the neighborhood of No. Highland Ave and Aqueduct St. (familiar to us as "The Bridge" or "The Hollow") they became Red Rover Engine Co. No.2.

The point of contention that beclouds the history of Washington Engine Company concerns the period during and after the Civil War. Thomas Scharf in his "History of Westchester County" (1886) inaccurately writes that "during the War of the Rebellion, Washington Engine Co. No. 1 fell into disorganization owing to the departure of many of its members to the scene of conflict." He states that the Red Rover Company was installed as successor to, Washington Engine Co. under the latter's name and that in 1873 it was disbanded because of disorderly conduct. Scharf states that in 1874 a new company of Strangtown parties was organized, and afterwards the company moved from its long occupied place at Pleasant Square to a brick building on North Malcolm Street. 

Clarification of the "dark ages" of Washington Engine Company was dear to the heart of the late Ex-Chief Joseph E. Reddy, 50-year member of the company and Chief of the Ossining Fire Department from 1904-1907. Ex-Chief J. Reddy spent three years in research on the history of the company, and in 1937 the Ossining Citizen Register published his compilations in an eight-day series. Chief J. Reddy's study led him to historical data that was lacking particulars of the fire company's re-organization in 1874. He concluded that Scharf's narrative of the alleged re-organization of Washington Engine Company to be a case of mistaken identity.

Ex-Chief J. Reddy's findings are further supported by minutes of company meetings in 1873 and 1874 that recorded citations and retirement privileges awarded to several members for twenty consecutive years of service.

Concerning the Civil War period Ex-Chief J. Reddy states: During the war, membership of Washington Engine Co. was greatly reduced owing to the departure of many of the members

to the scenes of conflict. The Board of Trustees of the Village ordered the members of the Red Rover Co. No. 2 (whose membership had also been reduced for the same reason) to surrender their engine and immediately had them sworn in as members of Washington Engine Co., No. 1.

The above was fully substantiated by documents and records and should leave no doubt as to the retirement of the Red Rover Company and the survival of Washington Engine Company #1.

For further verification of the absorption of the Red Rover Co. by the Washington Company from "Reminiscences" in the old Democratic Register we read: "After the 'Hudson' engine and the 'Red Rover' engine had been disbanded a number of members formed two junior fire companies, uniformed themselves with red shirts, duly elected officers, etc., and using the old engines took part in parades and other village celebrations with no firefighting activity."

So the old engine known first as "Washington" and later as "Red Rover," that had given such excellent service to the village for many years passed out of active use and it also marked the passing as a fire company of the admirable group of men known as the Red Rover Engine Company No.2. After the end of the war many of the former members of both companies returned from the front and again became active members of Washington Engine Company No. 1.

No disorganization ever happened during this or any other period. The only disbanding that occurred was of the Red Rover Company and its member joining Washington Engine to bolster their active rolls during the Civil War. The current company has records of the minutes from this time period and there is no record of disbanding the company.

The veritable story handed down through the year's states: "One evening in 1873 during a "hose test" by a Hose Company  the hose man on the nozzle end of the hose directing the stream of water either playfully or otherwise on a group of spectators and trustees assembled to witness the test. Several members tried to get control of the nozzle and a struggle ensued.

Ex-Chief J. Reddy stated: "That was the misconduct alluding to the disbanding of Washington Engine Company. Engine companies pump the water but have nothing to do with the hose line."

The wet citizens pursued officials who in turn sought the offenders and an altercation arose. The hose company was ordered back to their quarters. Some members became vexed and suggested the apparatus be run in tongue first "meaning they quit". This was done and for that action the Trustees disbanded the Hose Company, and it so remained until the following year 1874.

A new company also composed of 'Strangtown' young men was formed early in 1874, who removed the hose carriage from the place it had long occupied, this newly formed company removed the hose carriage forthwith to North Malcolm Street and added No. 1 to the title.

As correctly stated in the Democratic Register article: "About this time new quarters were obtained for the Ossining Hose and Washington Engine Company in Patrick Rigney's barn on North Malcolm Street." The old Hose Companies hose carriage was redecorated and lettered "Reorganized April 24,1874" as is well remembered by many old members who apparently did not want to take on the recent history of the first formed company as part of their heritage. The article also stated that the apparatus was transferred to Washington Engine Co. and was later corrected to read "Apparatus transferred to Ossining Hose Co. is significant as this again shows that the misconduct was from another company but misreported."  

More to the point is the additional clarification of the period as it pertains to Washington Engine Company. The only intent of that article was to try to clarify some seemingly unclear intervals of time. It is the relevant facts strung together in an accurate record of events of a time long passed and without chipping the corners of the cube of truth to make it roll, hopes to make them clear for the guidance of some who may be preparing data for records of the future.

In 1873, larger quarters were secured on North Malcolm Street in Pat Rigney's barn as both Washington Engine and Ossining Hose Companies grew in membership.

Some tales have been handed down in the company about the earlier cramped quarters. Members had a room that measured about 15 feet by 15 feet where 40 to 60 members of the companies met. There were hardly more than a dozen chairs there, soap boxes and boards laid on barrels had to take care of the overflow. Kerosene lamps provided a dim light for men to conduct their meetings; an old iron stove provided warmth on wintry nights. Sometimes when there was no wood the soap boxes had to be used for kindling, reducing the seating capacity. The lack of seating did not discourage attendants as merchants who were members supplied new soap boxes. 

In 1875 the Village purchased the property in front of Rigney's barn on North Malcolm across from Ann Street and had Pat Rigney erect a structure for $3000.00 to house Washington Engine, Ossining Hose and the acquired hose carriage from the disbanded Hose Company.

The Village Board voted in favor of better facilities for Ossining Hose in 1893 and they were relocated to N. Highland Avenue. Where they were housed until 1933, when the Village Board Okayed construction of the quarters which currently house Ossining Hose Company #1 and Washington Hook and Ladder Company #2 on Snowden Avenue (Known as the Northside Firehouse).

The Year 1890 from Engine to Hook & Ladder

According to a newspaper article which states: "A note-worthy decision in the fire department history was handed down by Judge Barnard." It was on the occasion of the Village Board plea that Washington Engine No. 1 be reorganized as a hose company. John Gibney, Corporation Counsel reported the action to be illegal, it is clear that no reorganization happened.

Taken from the minutes of the a 1890 company meeting: A communication from the Village Clerk was read and Alderman J Kenny explained the contents of the clerk's letter; how the Village Board intended to re-organize the entire fire department, most of the companies were to retain their own titles. The letter was received and no action was taken awaiting a visit of the Fire Committee who explained the intention of the visit, which was to talk over the possibility of substituting a Hook and Ladder truck for the antiquated hand fire engine. James J Payton Trustees, Jasper W, Travis, John E. Kenny of the Fire Committee and other members of the board were present and urged the company to consider the proposition, as such an apparatus was much needed as was demonstrated at a recent fire on Main Street. On motion on the matter was laid on the table to: "Be made a special order of business at the next meeting."

The following company meeting the Fire Committee and other members of the board again presented the matter and after a lengthy discussion the following resolution was offered and adopted: "Resolved that Washington Engine Company No.1 at the request of the Fire Committee, and with the approval of the Board of Trustees do agree to make the substitution of a Hook & Ladder fire apparatus to comply with the recommendation of the Fire Committee retaining all designations, title, number etc. as now held by this company. This was agreed to by all present, subject to the action of the Board of Trustees."

The question of how to best reorganize the entire fire department had been before the Board of Trustees for some time. A committee composed of Trustees Edward Sherwood, John E. Kenny, and A. B. Murry were appointed to investigate and report such recommendation as would best serve the interests of the Village.

The committee reported at a later meeting with a number of recommendations some of which were: "All monies and other property now in the hands of any officer of the fire department shall be turned over to the Village Clerk after the passage of this act and held by said clerk subject to further action of the board as to the future of the companies. All officers of companies as now established to remain the same. Ossining Steamer Company to be disbanded and reorganized to be composed of 50 men under the same name and use same quarters, Senate Hook and Ladder Company disbanded and reorganized to be composed of 50 men under the same name and use their present quarters. Ossining Hose Company disbanded and reorganized with 30 men, same name and same quarters (North Malcolm Street). Protection Hose Company disbanded and reorganized with 30 men same name and same quarters. Washington Engine Company disbanded and reorganized as a hose company with 30 men and stationed at or near Water Street."

The Board of Trustees committee recommended that we sell the two hand fire engines and one steamer engine. Trustee Madden remarked the board had certain powers but he doubted if they had the power to do the things embodied in the resolutions and thought Corporation Counsel John Gibney should be consulted. He then moved to lay the entire matter on the table, a vote ensued - Ayes were 10, Nays were 1 the resolution was passed to reorganize the fire department.

At a later meeting; Trustee Travis, Chairman of the Fire Committee reported favorably on a petition of the entire fire department asking the board to rescind the resolution recently passed to disband and reorganize the fire department and moved the firemen's petition be granted, this motion was voted down. Trustee Travis stated that Protection Hose Company had plans completed to reorganize as Cataract Hose Company and he had visited Washington Engine Company on several occasions and that the company would without disbanding or reorganizing substitute a hook and ladder truck for their current engine. This would solve the problem and be satisfactory to all. He moved that the fire department remain as originally incorporated. This was seconded and carried unanimously.

The hand engine did not go out of service immediately but was utilized for some time. The village was not in the position to purchase a fire apparatus at that time. The company men themselves raised the money and started negotiations with several firms manufacturing fire apparatus terminating in a contract with Woodhouse & Co., New York City to build a hand drawn hook & ladder truck for Washington Engine Company (not the village) which was completed and delivered to the company in November, 1890. The company purchased a hook and ladder truck, which was a hand-drawn rig at a cost of $535. The village agreed to reimburse the company and take over the truck at a later date if the company so desired. The following year 1891 the old engine was mentioned as a trade in, in the negotiations of the new Monitor Hose Company. As this happened it was about the same time the name of Washington Engine was changed to Washington Hook and Ladder Co. No.2.

An old hand-written description of their new apparatus and its conversion tells that on each side of this 1890 truck "was fitted an iron bracket into which ropes were spliced, so that while running this truck to a fire some of the members or citizens I could help to haul it by grasping these ropes." This truck was later altered in 1893 into a horse drawn apparatus, In 1908 the chassis was lengthened, a running or step board was affixed on each side to carry ten members each, the apparatus was brought right up to date and a set of drop harness installed in the firehouse which gained the company the nom de plume of the "Fast Mail". 

The "Truck" in Twentieth & Twenty First Century

Two successors to the horse-drawn engine were provided by the community without incident. In 1918 fire horses gave way to the horseless carriage. At that time the village board entered into a contract with Kahn Bros. of Yonkers for the purchase of a Republic Hook & Ladder auto truck for Washington Hook and Ladder for the cost of $2990.00. This truck was a second-hand, three-ton dump truck which was converted for hook and ladder duty. It became the first motorized equipment to serve the company and was in service until 1925.

In 1925 a Mack (city service) Truck with 45-foot extension ladder (Nicknamed "Little Mack") was the company's first of a type of fire truck that would be familiar to today's younger generation and was purchased from FDNY for $6000.00. In 1928 this truck was refurbished, removing the hard rubber tires and adding new tires that used air to inflate them along with new suspension for the rough roads. When this too became a far-spent veteran the company applied for new equipment in early 1949 and the application was refused. Once again the members went to bat for a new apparatus. From door to door they circulated a petition for a new truck and presented it to the Board of Trustees with the signatures of 80 taxpayers. This action precipitated the $32,000 purchase (stripped) of the sparkling, new 1949 - 85' American LaFrance Aerial Ladder truck which was later replace with a 1970 Maxim, 100' Aerial Ladder Truck at a cost of ($79,000). After twenty year of service the Maxim was replaced with a state-of-the-art aluminum 1990 E-One 100' Aerial Ladder ($295,000), today the company boasts a new 2010 E-One 100' Tower Ladder which cost $949,000.00. 

Chief's - Washington Engine Co. #1 & Washington Hook & Ladder Co. #2

Records reveal that in the first years of Washington Engine Co. its foreman had control over members of the company at a fire. However, aid rendered by citizens was basically a do-it- yourself, when-you-want-to serve.

Ossining's first chief was William E. Robinson (1834); Chief Samuel Mott (1848) and William Crosby (1854), all were from Washington Engine Co. The latter was the first Chief to be elected by the popular vote of the entire department.

Currently serving as First Assistant Chief is Jason Lorenz (2013-14)

Notably, it was Chief Joseph Reddy who originated the six-year term of service for chief whereby a firefighter is elected by popular department vote to the post of second assistant chief, spends two years in that capacity, then two more as first assistant chief before becoming chief, also for a two-year' term.

Awards – Firefighter of the Year

1974 – Joseph Burckhard – Ossining Chamber of Commerce Fireman of the Year - For assisting in rescue of the resident of Tompkins Ave.

1999 – Robert Fritsche, Frank Palmietto, Thomas Pasquel, Kevin Sylvester Westchester County Volunteer Firefighter's Association, Hudson Valley Fireman's Association - For assisting in the rescue of multiple residents during a working structure fire at the Charter Circle Apartment Complex. Twenty other firefighters also receive the WCVFA Award.

2000 – Robert Fritsche, Jason Lorenz, Thomas Pasquel - Hudson Valley Fireman's Association, Westchester County Volunteer Firefighter's Association. - Rescued a woman from her apartment during a working structure fire at the Snowden House Apartment Complex.

2002 – John Simkins – FASNY, Hudson Valley Fireman's Association, Westchester County Volunteer Firefighter's Association. - Assisted in a rescue of a young woman during a working fire at 4 Croton Ave.

2006 – Christopher Kruse - FASNY, Hudson Valley Fireman's Association, Westchester County Volunteer Firefighter's Association. Rescued two residents from their home on Fuller Road during a kitchen fire.

WASHINGTON ENGINE COMPANY #1 - MAY 4, 1812

WASHINGTON HOOK & LADDER COMPANY #2 - MAY 4, 2012

4/24/1868 – At about 1:00 in the morning when a barn, stables and a bakeshop owned by J.C. Meade on the corner of Spring and Main Street went up in flames, along with several other adjoining houses.

7/14/1868 – At 4:00 in the afternoon the bake house at Sing Sing Prison went up in flames. The flames were not put out until this structure and a cabinet shop were burnt to the ground. The cabinet works was overseen by a contractor named George H Woodruff it suffered the heaviest damage and the overall loss was reported to be $50,000. In addition to the fire department 150 convicts were let out of their cells to assist in extinguishing the fire.

Late March of 1871 – There was another destructive fire that broke out at 2:00am in the building at the southwest corner of Main and Spring Streets. Messrs, Reynolds & Young, partners in a hardware business on the ground floor owned the building. As near as could be determined the fire started on the second floor of the "Corporation Room" (i.e. the village municipal office where most of the village official records were kept and destroyed.

In early February of 1872 – Fire took place at the Brandreth Pill Works on North Water Street and reported damage was $50,000 dollars. The cause was said to be a defective chimney flue or possibly sparks from a passing locomotive and that gale force winds quickly spread the flames.

10/9/1872 – A disastrous fire started at the corner of Main St. & Central Ave. and destroyed all the buildings west on the North side as far as the Fisher Block building, as well as all the buildings on the South Side of the street opposite them, and down Spring Street on the West side as far as Stevens Livery Stables. John A. Wheeler fell through the roof of the Gideon Homes Building, sustaining injuries from which he never recovered. Twenty families were rendered homeless, twenty seven business were destroyed and the loss was set at $125,000.00

2/17/1874 – The Olive Opera House was totally destroyed along with the Sing Sing Republican Newspaper, several stores and offices therein with buildings adjoining on Leonard St, and also the North side of Main St as far as the Kipp's Drug Store once stood. Five mutual aid companies came from Yonkers, Tarrytown and Peekskill

4/28/1875 – Fire at the lower dock, Bloom & Fisher's Livery Stables, Empire Hotel, The Mansion House and stables, The Nelson House all across the railroad tracks were destroyed. The Phoenix Hotel on this side of the tracks was saved by the hard work of the firemen.

4/18/1876 – 3:30am a fire was discovered in the building occupied by Charles Elkins lager beer and billiards saloon on Main St., the fire quickly spread to adjoining buildings owned by William F. Metzger.

6/30/1877 – The California House on Croton Ave with was erected in 1856 as a private dwelling and later housed a private school established by Miss Sarah Van Velech. The Ossining School was destroyed by fire alleged to have been incendiary in origin.

7/3/1879 – Fire destroyed the South foundry of Perry & Co., a stove manufacturing concern located at Sing Sing Prison.

8/13/1879 – The machine shop of A. Kipp & Co., the Cotton Gin factory of Jonathan Turner and several buildings at the lower dock were destroyed.

1/1886 – A fire was reported at Peak-a-Boo flats and the Upper Dock

1/22/1891 – The new Washington Hook & Ladder responded to its first fire at the Phoenix Hotel.

WH&L COMPANY OFFICERS 2011-2012 President…………………....................Thomas Pasquel Vice President……………...........................Vidal Abreu Treasurer…………………..…….…….Frank Palmietto Secretary…………...………………………...Amy Kruse Financial Secretary...........................Anthony Martinez Commissioner…………..…….......…Thomas O'Connor Commissioner………….……………...Thomas Pasquel Board of Director…......…...…………Richard Wheeler Board of Director…..........………….…Frank Sylvester Board of Director…….......…………Thomas O'Connor Board of Director….........……….……Frank Palmietto Board of Director…...........…………….…Jason Lorenz Foreman…….……….……………… Anthony Martinez 1st Asst. Foreman…….…………………….. Amy Kruse 2nd Asst. Foreman……………..………. Daniel Plachta Chief Driver…………….…………………Scott Gallery DEPARTMENT OFFICERS Chief…………………………...………....Thomas Reddy 1st Asst. Chief……...………………………Jason Lorenz 2nd Asst. Chief…….…...……………Matthew Scarduzio

Excerpts of our history were taken from various newspapers, magazine, and historical documents including company minutes. Some phrases may seem strange to today's modern spoken English.   

Special thanks go out to the , Vidal Abreu, Jason Lorenz, Thomas Pasquel, Richard Wheeler, and also to past members that left us with historical records so that we could pass on the history of Washington Engine Company No. 1 & Washington Hook & Ladder Company No. 2 to the public. Newspaper articles from the Westchester Herald, Democratic Register, The Daily News, The Citizen Register, Thomas Scharf "History of Westchester County" (1886), photos from various firefighters and citizens both from the past and present. Michael G. O'Connor for his dedication in capturing the 200th celebration through photographs from the first dinner in March through our dinner dance in October.     - Frank D Palmietto 

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