Depew Volunteer Fire Department

“Professionally Staffed by Volunteers”

Depew Volunteer Fire Department, Village of Depew, NY

 

Depew Ladder 5

2004 American LaFrance Ladder Tower

100 Foot Mid-Mount Aerial Platform

2000 GPM Pump, 300 Gallon Tank

Depew Hook & Ladder Co. #1

45 Meridian St. (or P.O. Box 24)

Depew, NY 14043

(716) 683-9836

 

 

 

History of the Incorporation of the Depew Hook & Ladder Company #1

By: Past Chief Arthur J. Domino

                                                                                           

Augustine Davis, Editor and Publisher of the Depew Herald, was probably the main spring in the organization of a Hook & Ladder Company in the Village of Depew. Writing in his newspaper as early as 1895, he stated, “What the town is sadly in need of, is a hook and ladder apparatus. There is a great delay and inconvenience in running all over the village looking for ladders to use on a building that is on fire. Hooks and ladders are a necessity, and would be the means of stopping the spread of many a fire and great saving of much loss of property. Our trustees should not delay this any longer.” (Unfortunately, Editor Davis never saw his suggestion realized, for he took advantage of what he considered a better opportunity and went west in June of 1896.)

 

On July 10, 1896, sixteen citizens asked for permission from the Village Board to organize a Hook & Ladder Company. On the following evening, about 15 citizens of the village met in the Gould Ave. Fire House for the purpose of organizing a Hook & Ladder Company and elected officers.

 

A Committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws to be presented at the next meeting.

 

On September 8, 1896, William F. Ahern and 15 other petitioners duly petitioned the Village Board for its consent, that said petitioners may become incorporated as the Depew Hook and Ladder Company Number One, and received consent by resolution to become incorporated as such, pursuant to the statutes of the State of New York.

 

The Certificate of Incorporation was filed and recorded by the State of New York, Secretary of State on November 21, 1896. The original incorporation of the company was for a 50-year period; hence the company was re-chartered in 1951 as reported at the village board meeting of June 24, 1951.