A Brief History of the Medford Fire Department
On Long Island, woodland fires were always a hazard in the brush and pitch pine surroundings. These either originated by lightning strikes, carelessness, intentional burn-off of property lots for clearing, and more often than not, as a result of the LIRR and the steam locomotives that traversed through Medford as the diesel locomotives still do today. Fires were extinguished either by burning out, groups of neighbors working together, or by the State Conservation Department that monitored the area from watch towers along the central moraine hills to our north in Farmingville and Selden. The State Conservation Department employed local men and young boys to assist in these efforts.
As written minutes attest, some men had gathered together in the early 1920’s to form a volunteer fire department at Westphal’s Garage, which is now Tom & son’s. One group, referred to as the South Medford Independent Hose Company, had by 1923 joined the Suffolk County Volunteer Fireman’s Association for an initiation fee and first year’s dues cost of $3.50. In November of that year, they purchased a piece of fire apparatus from the Bayshore F.D. A Mr. Joseph Anderson offered to donate a plot of ground on the State Highway at Jamaica Avenue 20’ by 50’ in size or a 10 year lease nearby for a 50’ x 100’ piece. The group picked the 20’ x 50’ plot on Jamaica and the State Highway (Route 112). In the meantime, the fire apparatus was to be stored in a shed at the Medford Hotel (now Golden Star). Mr. Willam Hahn, Sr., was elected Chief, and he served from 1923-1925. A Mr. Leroy Smith offered a piece of land on Peconic Avenue and Oregon Avenue for the purpose of building a fire house. Others preferred the location on the State Highway. In 1924, this property deed donated by Mr. Leroy Smith was recorded. During 1924, there were fire apparatus demonstrations given to the public to receive donations. Other money was received by members who donated their $.25 an hour putting out fires with the State Conservation Department back to the fire company. By 1925, members of the South Medford Independent Hose Company had to be at least 18 years of age, and every member had to be present at every quarterly meeting and was fined $.25 if not present, unless he had a reasonable excuse. The old Bayshore F.D. fire apparatus was sold for $500.00.
Meanwhile, a second group of men got together to form a volunteer fire department and in April of 1926, these individuals reorganized their group and called it the Medford Fire Department Company #1. Its Chief was George S. Mistler. The other group, as of March 10, 1929, was referring to itself as the Independent Fire Company of South Medford, and its Chief was Alfred Kerny. Under the direction of Chief Kerny, there was a limit of 15 members, dues were $.25 a month, and meetings were held on the last Friday of the month. Chief Kerny donated the use of his fire extinguishers and wrecker until they could get some apparatus, and a whistle or siren was purchased to notify members of the alarms.
Chief Kerny also donated all the available space at his repair/gas station (now Giordano’s Collision) for apparatus and meetings free of charge. Members purchased their numbered badges at a cost of $1.50 each, and a fire apparatus was purchased from Bellmore FD in March of 1929.
In 1927, the Medford Fire Company #1 proposed building a fire house on the donated property on Oregon Avenue and Peconic Avenue. Chief George S. Mistler opened this fire house on June 7, 1940. Records mention the apparatus as a Packard and a Chevrolet. In August of that year, there was a proposal to purchase a Cadillac Touring car for $25.00 and convert it into a fire truck, and a fire siren was purchased for $145.00. In June of 1941 a 1932 A.B. Mack was purchased for $275.00 and the Cadillac Touring car was sold along with the Chevrolet Truck.
In May of 1942, troubles between the Independent Hose Company of South Medford and the Medford Fire Company #1 erupted regarding the distribution of the insurance company's 2% money that the Medford Fire Company #1 had control over. Both fire companies competed against each other for donations and responses to fires. The Packard was sold in 1945 and a Chevy Tank truck was purchased from Helmut Meyer and stored at this garage. By 1946 there were additional discussions on forming a fire district that were met unfavorably. In 1947, boundaries were being drawn and there were favorable discussions of forming a fire district, but only if there was one fire company.
In April of 1948, two fire Chiefs were elected in Medford. Richard Holmes was elected Chief of the Medford Fire Company #1 and Eugene Kiernan was elected Chief of the Independent Hose Company of South Medford. In July of that year, a committee reported on the dire district petition having been completed with the proper amount of signatures and it was sent to the State Comptroller along with the names of 20 men who were being considered for Fire Commissioner.
By April of 1949, the two fire companies joined to form the Medford Volunteer Fire Department under the leadership of Chief William Hahn, Jr. Chief Hahn oversaw a 1943 Ford (the first real fire apparatus purchased as such through Army surplus), 1937 Chevrolet, GMC Taker and a 1932 Ford. After more than 27 years of discussion and competition, Medford Station had one fire department, and a newly-created fire district that would ensure the residents would have the best possible fire protection through a prudent use of their fire taxes, a standard that continues today, 100 years later, in 2022.