Little Valley Fire Department

The Village of Little Valley became incorporated in March 1876. However, it was some twelve years later before it became apparent that some sort of organized fire protection was needed.

It was not until July 13, 1888 that the men of the community called a meeting in the old Champlin Opera House (the corner of Erie Street and Park Place) to organize a hose company. The meeting was called to order my Jean Reed. Elmer Benson and Tint Champlin were appointed as a committee to look for a building and a lot to erect it on. The was also moved that the company be called the Citizen's Hose Company Number One. Temporary officers were elected for one month. They were Bert Kelly, Foreman;John Collins, First Assistance foreman; Benson, Second Assistant Foreman; Fred Ansell, Secretary and Jean Reed, Treasurer. Fred Ansell was appointed to prepare by laws and also specifications and estimates for a hose house. A collection was taken to purchase books. The collection amounted to $ The meeting was adjourned until July 16, 1888 at which time it was reported that the Village had promised to purchase 200 feet of fire hose.

At a meeting held August 16, 1888, the secretary was asked to order a hose cart from Gleason and Bailey & Company of Seneca Falls, NY at a cost of $ , The money to be raised by public subscription. There is no record of when this hose cart was delivered.

On August 23, 1888, Mr. Charles Lincoln offered to let the company have a building but they would have to make their own repairs. There is no record if the offer was accepted or where the building was located.

At a meeting on March 19, 1889, the Village authorized the sum of $ for the purpose of erecting a hose house. A committee of John Mosher, Rundall and Tint Champlin was appointed to pick the site and build.

On July 21, 1890, Brown was employed to build the hose house at a cost of $ Brown was to be paid $ upon completion and $ during the year. The Village was to be presented with the deed to the premises. Brown Presented the deed on October 6, 1890 and was paid the $ This building was located at the corner of Fair Oak Street adn Sixth Street where the Fred Kelly Family lived for years, and was also owned by C. Christopher.

On June 1, 1891, the Village board, in attempting to better organize fire protection within the Village, passed a resolution that a fire department be organized under the control and jurisdiction of the Board of Trustees and that proper provision be made for the government and discipline of the same. A hose company was to be organized at once to consist of not more than 30 members to be appointed by the Village board and that such company organize itself by electing a President, Secretary, Treasurer, Foreman and Assistant Foreman subject to the approval and notification of the Village board. On June 24, 1891 32 members were appointed by the village.

On July 21, 1891, the village authorized the purchase of 500 feet od 2 1/2 inch host of 60 cents per foot. Although the village water system was under construction at this time and some fire hydrants were installed, the storage reservoir was not completed so water for fire fighting was inadequate.

On August 15, 1892, the village board authorized the erection of a derrick upon which to place the fire bell and locate it at the site of the hose house. The cost was not to exceed $ The bell was purchased on August 26, 1892 from the Vanduszen and Taft Co. at the cost of $

In April 1892, rubber coats were purchased for the protection of the firemen at the cost of $

In April 1894, four ladders were purchased for the hose company's use at a cost of $ Also an isurance policy amounting to $ was taken out to cover the hose house and fire bell.

On November 12, 1894, two 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch nozzles were ordered. What was used prior to this purchase is not known.

A meeting was held March 11, 1895 in the Rock City Hotel for the purpose of organizing a hook and ladder company. The village was petitioned to purchase a hook and ladder cart and the necessary appliances connected with it. The money was not available and the idea was scrapped.

On April 18, 1895, the village board appropriated the sum of $ for the purpose of purchasing an interest in the Town Hall about to be erected by the Town of Little Valley at the corner of Erie Street and Sixth Street. The Village interest would be first, one room on the first floor 22 feet x 50 feet for a hose house or the entire length of the town hall; second, the site on which the hose house would be erected; third, one-half of the second story above the hose house. The Village would keep in repair that part of the building and roof owned by the village. The present hose house was to be sold and the proceeds to apply on payment for the new one.

A second hose cart was needed so the services of Edward Merow, father of past chief Richard Merow, was engaged to build a second cart. On February 3, 1896, Mr. Merow was paid $ for the cart he built in his shop at the corner of Rock City Street and Fourth Street, Now a new building owned by Crosby's.

On August 3, 1904 the Crissy Hook and Ladder Company was organized. The money was provided by the Crissy brothers who owned the bank in the village which later became known as the Cattaraugus County Bank.

The membership was kept at a maximum of 30 members. The two companies kept their own records and had their own meetings until 1925 when the two companies were formed under the Little Valley Fire Department. After the Companies combined the number of members was raised to 40, then 60 and is now 75 for the maximum.

In September 1925, a 7 1/2 horsepower Sterling electric siren was purchased at a cost of $ This replaced the old fire alarm bell and the old steam siren which had been installed at the Merle Soule milk plant prior to 1922. After this, the bell was used only for meetings and for "ringing out".

No Further changes in equipment was made until later 1927 when a used Mack city Service ladder truck was purchased from American LaFrance in Elmira, NY. The cost is unknown. This was kept in service until June of 1936 when a 1936 Dodge Chassis was purchased by the fire department and altered by Gaseler Corporation in Buffalo and by the fire department. This truck was first used June 12, 1936 at the James H. Gray Milling Company fire in Little Valley.

The village erected a new municipal building in 1940 and housed the municipal electric and water office, Town of Little Valley office and the Fire Department. The Fire Department moved in on September 27, 1940 and the old building was turned over for county uses.

On August 6, 1940, the 7 1/2 horsepower Sterling siren was moved from the old fire station to the new municipal building and later replaced with a 10 horsepower Federal siren which is still in service today.

On September 28, 1941, a used 1934 1/2 ton Dodge was placed in service after being remodeled by the department. This was received from the Village electric department and was used to carry extra equipment and to tow a 500 GPM OCD trailer pump which was received from that office during world war II. the OCD trailer pump was eventually sold to Robert Pease & Sons Farms.

The 1934 Dodge was sold in March of 1947 after being replaced by a 1936 Chevrolet 1 1/2 ton army surplus fire truck with a 350 GPM front mounted pump and 400 gallon water tank. This was a four wheel drive vehicle used mainly for country fires and was in service until August 21, 1967.

On April 1, 1948 the 1924 American LaFrance was taken out of Service and replaced by a 1948 American LaFrance 750 GPM Triple Combination cab-ahead-engine pumper. The cost was $13,000 and was paid for by the Village. It was the first engine of its type to be used in the county.

In 1952 through the cooperation of Lyle Underwood, then the municipal electric light and water department superintendent; a bell alerting system was installed in each fireman's home. The start button for the general alarm system was located in the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's radio room. The bell system gave the firemen about 7 to 8 seconds start before the siren sounded.

It became evident that more water was needed quickly at rural fires so the department purchased a 1946 Brockway 3 ton chassis with a 1250 gallon tank. This was remodeled and placed in service on December 13, 1954.

The 1936 Dodge ladder truck was kept in service unitl November 10, 1957 when it was replaced by a 1957 International cab-over-engine with a 50 foot Memco aerial ladder at a cost to the taxpayers of $12, Additional ladders included a 50 foot pole ladder, 35 foot and 24 foot extension ladders and a 14 foot roof ladder. Also purchased was the necessary pike poles, axes and other equipment. It also had a 300 gallon water tank and a booster pump.

The Village Electric department donated a 1955 Ford Station wagon to the department and it was used as a chief's car and to carry emergency first aid equipment.

In 1967 The chassis for the 1946 Brockway tanker was traded for a 1955 IHC. The 1955 was used until June of 1974.

On August 21, 1967 a 1967 FWD 1000 GPM engine was purchased at a cost of $27, The fire department paid $5, and a yearly payment of $ for ten years.

A 1963 Mercury ambulance owned by the Air Force and received through civil service replaced the 1955 Ford Station wagon.

On November 2, 1970, a used 1964 International ambulance with custom built body was purchased at a cost of $2,

In the 1970's the bell alert system was removed and replaced with the modern tone alerting system.

In June of 1974 a 1974 Ford truck chassis with tandem rear axle was placed in service to replace the 1955 International. A new 2150 gallon tank was constructed and mounted by Fitzgerald Welding in Cattaraugus, NY. Former fireman Donald Ford was instrumental in this remodeling.

A 1976 Dodge ambulance demonstrator model replaced the 1963 Mercury.

The Steel tank on the 1974 Ford was replaced with a 3500 gallon fiberglass tank in the 1980's.

For almost forty years, the fire department occupied part of the municipal building until May 26, 1980 when they moved into their own $250, building erected at the corner of Rock City Street and Third Street at no cost to the taxpayers. As of 2011 The department is still stationed here with no plans on moving. The Little Valley Fire Department Inc. members are the owners of the station.

In the early 1980's a 1977 Dodge van was purchased and was used primarily for storage of the gear and equipment of the interior attack firefighters. Other equipment was stored as well.

In 1984 a Ford Braun ambulance was purchased to replace the 1976 Dodge.

In 1985 a new GMC/FMC 1000 gpm engine was purchased.

In 1990, the 1957 International chassis for the ladder truck was replaced with a 1990 GMC. The body was removed and refurbished, the water tank and pump were taken out. The ladder was converted from a manual raise and swing to hydraulically driven and a 7500 watt generator and extendable work lights was installed.

In 1992 a 1985 Chevrolet step-van was acquired and outfitted as the utility truck.

In 1993 an International/ E-one 1250 GPM engine was purchased. The engine has a 1,000 gallon tank and is a top mount pump.

In 1994 a 1986 Ford ambulance was bought from the Randolph Fire Co. and put in service as a second ambulance.

In 1996 an International/Wheeled Coach ambulance was purchased and the 1984 Ford/Braun was taken out of service.

In 1999 the 1957/1990 ladder truck was taken out of service after the aerial was damaged after a fire. The village fire department through referendum was changed to a fire district, which brought the finances of the department under the supervision of a separate board from the Village and Town of Little Valley.

The Fiberglass tank on the 1974 Ford was replaced with a 2,500 gallon tank about 2000.

In fall 2001 a 1985 Ford Marion heavy rescue was purchased to replace the 1985 Utility truck. The Ford has a 5,000 watt generator and carries a multitude of equipment need for the firefighters.

In 2003 a Ford ambulance was purchased by the Fire District to replace the 1986 Ford. The Fire Department also received a grant from FEMA for 25 sets of turn out gear, 15 self contained breathing apparatus, a thermal imaging camera and other equipment.

In 2004 The fire department saw the need for a set of jaws. Long response times from other department and the need to provide quicker and safer responses prompted the purchase. Along with the donation from the Fireman's Auxiliary the Fire Department purchased a set of Genesis extrication tools.

In 2006 The fire department changed the amount of fire officers; four Lieutenants, four Captains, one Second Assistant Chief, one First Assistant Chief and one Chief. The personnel available in the fire department was greatly diminished so the department changed the officers to 2 Lieutenants and one Captain. All other positions remained the same including the fire police and EMS positions.

In 2007 seeing the need for an aerial as surrounding departments response time is too long and attempting to be self sufficient, the Fire Department purchased a 1987 Spartan/LTI Ladder truck at a cost of $90,000. The truck has a 75 foot aerial with a pre-pipe water way, a 1,500 GPM pump and the needed ground ladders, pike poles and other equipment

In August 2008 the Fire District purchased an International/E-One Engine/Tanker. This truck replaced the 1974 tanker and the 1985 GMC engine. The E-One has a 1,250 GPM pump and has a 2,200 gallon water tank. The primary use for this truck is a tanker but is outfitted as an engine as well.

On May 7, 2010 The fire department responded to the Philadelphia Furniture fire at 100 Rochester Street in Salamanca. The fire was probably the largest in the county's history. About 42 Fire departments from three counties responded and assisted with this fire. Little Valley responded with a ladder and an engine and covered the city with one engine the following day while Salamanca units remained on scene to quench hot spots.

The elections for 2010 became a turning point in how operations were run in the department. More training was available for members and because of new officers, the morale in the department became much better than in years past. The department is currently in a much better state than in the recent years and continues to improve.

In December 2011 Placed into service a Brush Truck. The truck chassis was purchased earlier this year and has become a big help to in being a smaller truck able to get into places and do things that the larger trucks cannot do. This truck is a Gasoline powered 2011 Ford F-350 Single Wheeled 1-Ton Pickup with a Crew Cab. This option allowed to be able to take more then 2 or 3 people to a scene or training. We can take up to 6 people to calls or training. This truck was also helpful for the assistance that we provided to Flood Victims in Central New York in the summer of 2011. After arrival, Rhino Lining was put in the bed and inside the cab of the truck to prevent rust and make those parts more durable. Lettering and pin striping was done by Briggs located outside the Village. Colden Enterprises in Buffalo worked on the light and siren package and also the skid unit (pump and tank used for brush fires). This is our first truck with all LED Lighting. Little Valley 4 (it's official designation) brings a vital and more agile piece of equipment to

In June 2012 the Little Valley Fire District purchased a 2011 McCoy Miller Ambulance on a Ford E-450 Chassis. This new ambulance was purchased from Gorman Enterprises in Elma, New York. This ambulance replaces the 2002 Ford/MedicMaster. Little Valley 8 as it will be called is bigger than the MedicMaster in height, width, and length. LV-8 has a lot more compartment space inside to make organization of supplies a little easier.

The saga of the Volunteer Fire Departments is always evolving and changing every week that goes by. Through good times and bad, the dedicated members of the Little Valley Volunteer Fire Dept strive to meet the needs of our community.

Sadly the VOLUNTEER Fire Service across the nation is struggling to replace its ranks!

To our Current active You!

To those that are looking for something more in life.
We welcome you to stop in and check us out.
There is a Family of brothers and sisters that is more rewarding than words can describe!