Over Eighty Years of Volunteer Fire Protection and Service
CHARLTON NO. 1
1922 - 1997
History of the Charlton Fire Department
The spark that created the need for the fire protection came from
the fire that destroyed Mr. Daby's house (now Vernon Fobian). The
violent wind carried burning embers through the village endangering
the house of Henry Springer (now R. LeGere), and Mr. Henry Conde (now
Ted Farrell). The wind was due east and did not endanger the houses
south of the hamlet. The K. of P. Hall was not in danger as it had
a slate roof.
From the town records we learn that 116 land owners petitioned the
Town Board to purchase two chemical fire engines in the year 1922.
One to be housed in W. Charlton in Heckers barn and one to be housed
at Henry Conde's garage in the Charlton Village.
Charlton Fire Department Mr. Harold Fobian as Master of the Charlton
grange in 1922, circulated the petition to buy the fire engines. They
were to be paid for by town taxes. At the same time Dr. A.M. Burt
was circulating a similar petition that required a monetary donation.
When the doctor realized the feasibility of Mr. Fobian's petition,
he returned the money given to him by the signers of his petition.
Each fire engine consisted of a 40 gallon water tank mounted on an
axle and two wagons wheels. Baking soda was added to the water when
filling the tank. Beside the tank was a lead container which contained
sulfuric acid. This container was equipped with a loose fitting cover
and when it was inverted by a lever, the acid and soda produced a
chemical action which built up pressure within the tank and forced
the water out of the tank hose under pressure.
When the chemical fire engines arrived Henry Conde donated the piece
of ground that was situated to the rear of the present fire house.
At the time he thought that it was in poor taste to have a garage
close to the road. At the location he built a one car garage to house
the fire engine.
Fire calls were answered as far away as West Glenville. Mr. Fobian
had a one ton cattle truck to transport the fire engine for calls
outside the village.
Mr. Conde acted as Supervising Fire Chief until the company reorganized
in 1927 and elected officers. After five years of protection by the
chemical fire engine, the petitioners realized that it was inconvenient
to transport.
In 1927 a Graham truck was purchased. Mr. Springer mounted two chemical
tanks on the truck. The operation took more than a year to complete.
As the years passed additional equipment was stored on the truck until
it became over loaded. The older residents recall that they could
walk faster than the over loaded truck when it started out in first
gear. I recall that the truck clutch had its moments. If it was let
out too quickly the front end would come off the ground.
The company records from 1930 to 1943 do not list the elected officers.
As our knowledge has advanced over the years so too has the ability
of the record keeping secretaries of the company.
Today, we can be classed as a first class rural fire department with
competent officers and men. Our success over the years can be contributed
to the foresight of our capable fire commissioners.
Excerpts from the Town Board Minutes
The following petition by 116 taxpayers of the town was presented
to the board and placed on file, August 4, 1922.
Charlton August 4, 1922
To the Town Board:
We, the undersigned taxpayers, of the Town of Charlton appreciating
the need of fire protection for our property are in favor of the Town
purchasing two chemical fire engines of such capacity as is generally
used in towns this size, and request that the Town Board take a favorable
action on same at their first meeting. We also request that the Town
Board designate the Village of Charlton and West Charlton as locations
for the engines.
Motion made and duly seconded that the petition be placed on file.
Motion made and duly seconded that the town purchase two chemical
fire engines from the O.J. Childs Co., Utica N.Y. at the price of
$425.00 each F.O.B. Utica, less 2 percent for cash 10 days. Carried.
Motion made and duly seconded that the Supervisor and the Town Clerk
be instructed to issue Certificates of Indebtedness for the purchase
of said two fire engines in anticipation of taxes. Carried.
November 2, 1922
Motion made and duly seconded that the supervisor be empowered to
purchase five charges and fifty feet of hose for each chemical fire
engine. Carried.
December 30, 1922
Motion made and duly seconded, that the following roster of the Charlton
Fire Co. be appointed as members of said company.
| John A. Sanders
Joseph Zacker
William H. Marvin
Arthur C. Riley
Harold Foblan
Henry G. Miller
Thomas Noonan
George Briggs
Roy Buhrmaster
Herbert C. Ketchum
Lloyd Van Heusen
|
R. H. Claxon
Walter Bothamley
Harold S. Murray
Fred E. Myers
George Van Vorst
Harold Plummer
Russell C. Conde
Eugene C. Murray
W.S. Miller
Carey Decker
Benjamin T.D. Pashley |
Charlton Fire Department #1
Founded: August 4, 1922
First Fire Chief: Henry Condee
First Fire Apparatus: 2 Childs Chemical Fire Engines
First Motorized Apparatus: 1927 Graham Truck, on display at the fire
house
Apparatus (June 2002):
SOLD - 1964 Mack, 750 gpm pump, 1600 gallon tanker
SOLD - 1975 Mack, 750 gpm pumper
1988 Mack, 1500 gpm pump, 1500 gallon tanker (ETA-181)
2000 HME (Rescue)(R-184) 2001 HME (ETA-182) 2002 Ford F-350 (EMS
response truck)(U-183)
2002 Chevy Blazer (Chief) (Car-18)
Today (September 11, 2002): Charlton Fire Department #1 can be classed
as a first class rural fire department with 50 members, and a Board
of Fire Commissioners with 5 members.
Location: 786 Charlton Road, Charlton New York 12019, Saratoga County
bordering Schenectady County.
