Selkirk Fire Department

Selkirk, NY

History

Fire protection became a concern of a group of citizens in the Selkirk area during the latter part of 1925 and early 1926. Interest increased and a group of interested residents assembled at the West Shore Railroad Passenger Station in Selkirk.

At this first meeting it was decided that the boundaries of what would become the Selkirk Fire District would be North to Myers Corners on N.Y.S. Highway 9W, West to and including the Charles D. Niver farm on N.Y. Rt. 396 in South Bethlehem. Also North to and including the Williams Gibson property on N.Y. Rt. 144, South to the Town Of Bethlehem line on Rt. 144, and East to the Hudson River.

In early December 1926 an election was held in the new proposed District to elect a Board of five Fire Commissioners to conduct business until the new fire district was made official. On March 12, 1928 a deposition was prepared, signed by T.B. Vanderzee of the Board, and filed with the Albany County Board of Supervisors. The Board adopted a resolution establishing the Selkirk Fire District soon after.

At a meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners on January 7th, 1928 it was voted on to purchase a Childs Fire Apparatus 602-C demonstrator model for $6,250.00 and equipment for it costing an additional $1257.70. This piece of apparatus is still owned by the District and can be seen in various parades. Click HERE to see what it looks like today.

A meeting was held on March 27, 1928 to discuss the organizing of the fire company. T.B. Vanderzee was appointed the first Fire Chief and the following were appointed Chief Mechanic and Drivers: A.J. Lehmann, William Pausley, Ross G. Mathusa, Raymond Golden, and George Coonley.

Action was also taken to purchase Lot #2 on Maple Ave. from Mrs. Bull as a location for the new fire house. Bids for the new fire house came to $6500 total. Contracts were signed and the construction started on April 7, 1928. Soon after a 5 H.P. Siren was purchased at a cost not to exceed $810.

On July 3, 1928 a meeting of the residents of the Selkirk Fire District was called for the purpose of organizing the Selkirk Fire Co. #1.

Records show that the first fire alarm took place on November 16th, 1928 and was a hay barn on the Wilsey farm. On January 29, 1929 the first house fire alarm came in. On June 14th, 1929 a barn and corn crib at the Henry Meter farm was lost.

At the July 9th, 1929 a meeting a motion was made and carried to authorize the formation of a Ladies' Auxiliary.

On November 11, 1952 a resolution was made by the Board of Fire Commissioners establishing Selkirk Fire Co. #2 in Glenmont. 24 men from the area were appointed members to organize the new company.

On January 29, 1953, at a Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting, Harold L. Williams was designated Chief in Authority over all Fire Companies that may be established in the Selkirk Fire District. This made Mr. Williams the first "District Chief" of the department.

On April 7th, 1953 the Board of Fire Commissioners received a gift of land located on Rt. 32 at Weiser St. in Glenmont from Jacob Wiggand to be used as a fire house for Selkirk Fire Co. #2

A fire protection areas covering South Bethlehem and South Albany, was brought into the Selkirk Fire District on July 1st, 1955

On February 1, 1956 the Board of Fire Commissioners adopted a resolution to organize a third fire company in South Bethlehem. This was to be known as Selkirk Fire Co. #3.

A resolution was also adopted at this meeting to form the first Fire Police Squad of the department.

The Selkirk Fire Department continues the proud tradition that those first firefighters started over 80 years ago. We currently have over 80 dedicated men & women doing their duty of protecting our community everyday.

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Created: 29-01-2020
Updated: 29-01-2020
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Selkirk Fire Department

2 days ago

Selkirk Fire Department

Back in 2013 Selkirk sold their 1989 Duplex LTI Aerial to the Eastern Derry Twp FD in Westmoreland County Pennsylvania. The last information Selkirk FD members had on the truck was back around 2015, when members found pictures of the truck in a repo yard. FF Steven Hummel Jr. started "digging" around via the internet and found that our old truck is STILL in service. It is currently owned by the Albany/Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Department in Indiana. So it went from Albany County NY to the Town of Albany in Indiana.

Pictures from the Indiana Fire Trucks website is below. How do we know it is our old truck? Good ol' Bluto, from the Popeye Cartoon, is still still riding high on each side of the truck. Over the back wheels on the Driver's side, and over pump panel, on the Officer's side.
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Back in 2013 Selkirk sold their 1989 Duplex LTI Aerial to the Eastern Derry Twp FD in Westmoreland County Pennsylvania.  The last information Selkirk FD members had on the truck was back around 2015, when members found pictures of the truck in a repo yard.  FF Steven Hummel Jr. started digging around via the internet and found that our old truck is STILL in service.  It is currently owned by the Albany/Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Department in Indiana.  So it went from Albany County NY to the Town of Albany in Indiana.  Pictures from the Indiana Fire Trucks website is below.  How do we know it is our old truck?  Good ol Bluto, from the Popeye Cartoon, is still still riding high on each side of the truck.  Over the back wheels on the Drivers side, and over pump panel, on the Officers side.Image attachment
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When I sold that truck to the PA fire dept I thought it was doomed ... glad to see it has a third life....

Great Truck. Crappy HVAC System lol. Defroster = Non Existent; Loved working with this truck. First Signal 30 I was the driver/operator on was with this truck.

Just awesome...... loved the truck..... did many many hours of training with her.... had a GREAT crew back then.... thanks for the memories.....OLD “421”

Always a good looking truck. I remember lots of compliments on it when it was on display at the chief’s convention.

I my dad is is a fire chief up here in Essex junction vermont when I got on we had 91 pierce lance quint that was sold to fair fax vermont fire. Then had a old 1982 maximum engine. Don’t know where that. Then we had engine 23. 1979 Alf don’t know here that is And then we had old ladder 41 1982 Alf 85 Stick out a the rest home station 2 never figured out where that went the then we engine 24. 21 squad 5 could never figure out what happend to them 24 was a reserve. Unit 21 was scrapped I think it had a lot of issues

Thank you for sharing that news!

Cool

"Bluto" aka Bill Allen πŸ˜‚

Excellent

Are you saying, the unit was repossessed from the department you sold it to and then another department bought it? EDIT: Google has all the answers. www.wpxi.com/news/local/ex-fire-chief-derry-wife-stealing-station-closes/32207878/

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Selkirk Fire Department

5 days ago

Selkirk Fire Department

It is with deep sadness we regret to announce the passing of Past Chief Harold Williams. Chief Williams started as an Associate Member on February 9th 1980, then went Active on March 12th 1980 and became Chief on April 1987.

Rest In Peace Chief.
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It is with deep sadness we regret to announce the passing of Past Chief Harold Williams. Chief Williams started as an Associate Member on February 9th 1980, then went Active on March 12th 1980 and became Chief on April 1987.  Rest In Peace Chief.
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My condolences to the family, friends and members of selkirk fire. God Bless you all.

Prayers for his family πŸ™πŸ’”. Sorry for your loss.

That is terrible to hear.I have known Harold since we were little kids.We were in the same class all through sunday school at the Third Reformed Church in Albany.His mom and mine were also good friends.RIP.

Condolences to Selkirk Fire and Chiefs family.

Rest In Peace Chief we are going to miss you.

Great guy, great neighbor....RIP

Sending our condolences Liza n Bob Tougher

Our thoughts and prayers are with Harold and his family. Not only was Harold a Past Fire Chief, he was also a past Cub Master and Scout Master for Cub Scout Pack 81 and Boy ScoutTroop 81. Harold will be missed

Condolences ..... RIP

RIP and thank you for your service

Prayers to his family

RIP Chief.

R.I.P. Chief so sorry for your loss

RIP Chief.

So sorry for your company's loss πŸ™πŸ»πŸ™πŸ»πŸ™πŸ»

I think my former captain Steve miller of delmar would know him I know they worked together at the tank farm fire in sept of 80

So very sorry!

Very sorry

RIPπŸ™

RIP Chief

Rip ..and thank you for your service

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Selkirk Fire Department

5 days ago

Selkirk Fire Department

The Selkirk Fire Department recently received an "Outstanding Service Award" from the American Red Cross. The ARC sent this award to all of their Blood Program Partners who helped by hosting Blood Drives during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Thousands of Blood Drives, around the nation, were cancelled due to the impact of the pandemic. Selkirk's Spring 2020 Blood Drive was one of them. Thankfully, in working with the ARC, and approval of the Selkirk Board Of Fire Commissioners, we were able to safely have the Fall 2020 Blood Drive, and are looking forward to the next one in April 2021.

Blood Program Partners are individuals/groups that works with the ARC to host Blood Drives at their locations. Selkirk FD has been hosting Blood Drives for close to 20 years. Initially at Selkirk Station #1 in Selkirk, then moving up Selkirk Station #2 in Glenmont, where we currently host a Blood Drive twice a year, once in the Spring, and a second one in the Fall.

Thank You American Red Cross for this recognition.
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The Selkirk Fire Department recently received an Outstanding Service Award from the American Red Cross.  The ARC sent this award to all of their Blood Program Partners who helped by hosting Blood Drives during the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Thousands of Blood Drives, around the nation, were cancelled due to the impact of the pandemic.  Selkirks Spring 2020 Blood Drive was one of them.  Thankfully, in working with the ARC, and approval of the Selkirk Board Of Fire Commissioners, we were able to safely have the Fall 2020 Blood Drive, and are looking forward to the next one in April 2021.  Blood Program Partners are individuals/groups that works with the ARC to host Blood Drives at their locations.  Selkirk FD has been hosting Blood Drives for close to 20 years.  Initially at Selkirk Station #1 in Selkirk, then moving up Selkirk Station #2 in Glenmont, where we currently host a Blood Drive twice a year, once in the Spring, and a second one in the Fall.  Thank You American Red Cross for this recognition.
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Thank you, Doug V, for all the many hours of work you put in to make these events happen twice a year for so many years at Station 2 of Selkirk Fire Department.

Well deserved. Congratulations

So well deserved!

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2019 Monthly Calls

MonthCalls
Jan39
Feb18
Mar19
Apr16
May22
Jun32
Jul31
Aug25
Sep79
Oct29
Nov19
Dec22
2019 Total351

2020 Monthly Calls

MonthCalls
Jan24
Feb27
Mar30
Apr17
May28
Jun33
Jul47
Aug38
Sep32
Oct61
Nov
Dec
2020 Total337

Contact Information

Selkirk Fire Department
PO Box 5
Selkirk, NY 12158

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