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In 1937 a group of local citizens expressed the need to advance the fire protection offered to the West Mahopac area known as Mahopac Falls. The story is related that a meeting took place in Agor Brothers Grocery Store/Meat Market and 32 men signed a torn piece of butcher’s paper pledging their allegiance to the formation of a volunteer fire department. With no place to meet or hold fundraising events, the men relied on charter member Dave Craft to open the doors to his Chevrolet Agency located on Myrtle Avenue for such purposes. This collection of shopkeepers, insurance agents, mechanics, and real estate salesmen moved forward and incorporated the Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department on October 7, 1937.
It was about this time that the Mahopac Central School District consolidated its one and two-room school buildings into a new high school. This allowed the fire department to move into the vacated two-room school located at Brook and School Streets. This building became headquarters for the newly formed fire-fighting unit.
A building with no fire apparatus does not a fire department make. This situation was remedied by the loan of a 1918 Stewart Buffalo Pumper from the neighboring Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department. Fire protection for West Mahopac began.
1939 saw the first of many new fire trucks, which would have MFVFD, printed in gold leaf across the hood. The fire apparatus division of Mack Trucks had won the bid to supply Mahopac Falls with its first new truck, a 500 GPM pumper with a 150-gallon booster tank. This vehicle still serves today as a reminder of how this all began.
The 1940s were a time of growth, which was cut short by the outbreak of world war two. Men and money were both in short supply. As the war came to a conclusion, young men of the armed services arrived home and took their place on the hose line and the Falls Fire Department took on a new life.
A second fire truck was added to the fire-fighting arsenal in 1946. Through the efforts of local attorney Milton Lacina, the department acquired a 300 GPM Chevrolet army surplus 4X4. With men and trucks ready to fight fires, a means of alerting the members to a fire call was needed. Doug Benjamin built the first electric siren allowing the old gong and sledgehammer to be retired.
The later part of the 1940s saw significant growth in the community. To provide protection for this growth, the department also grew. New and younger members were added to the roster.
1950 saw a committee formed to purchase a new pumper with delivery in 1951. This was a Ward LaFrance with a 750 gallon per minute three-stage pump, with the ability to pump both Wet Water and Foam was added to the garage space.
The acquisition of the new truck highlighted the need for space and the old two-room school/firehouse was beginning to show its’ age. Consideration was given to an addition to the building along with a remodeling of the engine room. This idea was met with disappointment following reports on the condition of the foundation. With the option of renovating eliminated, the membership decided on a new building to be constructed on the same grounds as the present firehouse. Carmel Architect John J. McNulty designed the new building and Mahopac Contractor Richard T. Othamer constructed what was to become Mahopac Falls Fire Department Station 1. The building was opened for use in 1961. The Great Neck Fire Department on Long Island recognized the Department’s need for another truck and donated a 1938 Ward LaFrance Purpose Built Light and Rescue Truck for the price of $1. The firehouse was again filled with equipment.
In the early ’60s, the town experienced tremendous growth. Large tracts of farmland turned into housing developments and ponds and streams were filled in or redirected. These two conditions resulted in the need of additional services to the community and the burden to the firefighter of bringing his own water to the scene. To accomplish this still, another vehicle was needed and a committee set forth to purchase a new pumper to replace the original 1939 Mack and a tanker/pumper to transport large volumes of water to burning buildings.
The first to arrive was a 1964 Mack B Model with a 750 GPM pump and a 600-gallon booster tank. This was the first diesel engine vehicle in New York State volunteer firefighting history. The second was a Mack MB Cab with a 2000 gallon tank and a 750 GPM pump built by H&H Tank of New Jersey.
New trucks were not the only upgrades to the Falls FD in the ’60s. Improvements in radio communication with trucks and the method of alerting members of fire calls took giant steps. A new base Radio Station, KJN785, and 35 tabletop receivers for members’ homes were purchased. This acquisition is believed to have cut the response time for responding to fires in half. Fire scene control also became safer with the formation of the Fire Police Unit to control traffic and protect the evidence in the event of an emergency.
Only ten years after the dedication of the Main Station located at Brook and School Street the pinch for more room began to be felt. Along with the continued growth of the northern end of Fire Protection District Number 1, this instigated the investigation of another building. The objective of the department was to have every structure in the district within 3 miles of a firehouse. This was accomplished with the purchase of property and the construction of Station Two at Housemen Corners. This station would house two engines and a full complement of men who resided in that area of the town.
The ten years between 1970 and 1979 saw continued growth in the size and shape of the community. With this growth came the need for additional and specialized services. First on board was the certification of a scuba rescue team in 1971. Committees were formed to replace the 1951 Ward LaFrance and the 1938 Ward Light Truck. 1972 saw the delivery of a Mack CF 600 Attack Pumper and the faithful 1951 Ward LaFrance was placed in retirement. The large chrome bell was removed from the Ward LaFrance and mounted on a plaque and placed on the meeting room wall as an honor to a vehicle that had carried us through the formative years.
Until this time, the ambulance service had been provided by Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department. It was time for the MFVFD to provide Emergency Medical Service to their district. A 1973 Chevrolet Chassis Cab was fitted to a Swab Company Modular Ambulance box and along with 13 new EMT’s Mahopac Falls had its first Ambulance Corp. Much of this was made possible by generous donations from the businesses and residents of our town, especially the chassis, which was donated by the Knights of Columbus, Father Mooney Counsel of Mahopac.
On the heels of the new ambulance, a 1973 Mack R Model carrying a Salisbury Rescue Box found a new home in Mahopac Falls and the 1938 Light truck was also put out to pasture. The new rescue was fitted with a 10 KW self-contained generator and equipment to engage a fire and also provide rescue service at the scene of any type of accident. The growth in the community led to many more motor vehicle accidents. These often required assistance from Lake Mohegan FD because they had a Hurst Rescue Jaws of Life. In an effort to deliver faster and better service, Mahopac Falls set up a committee to investigate purchasing this type of rescue tool. The cost of equipment has always been a stumbling block for the smaller volunteer fire departments, but again fortune smiled on Mahopac Falls. The cost of the new tool was born by the Goldblatt/Katz family of South Lake Blvd. Thanks to their generosity lives were undoubtedly saved.
Many believe that the ’70s were a high watermark for the Falls FD with membership at an all-time high. This surge was in part due to a decision made in 1954 to amend the By-Laws to allow 16-year-olds to become probationary active members. With good attendance and training these young people would reach full membership in one year. Responding to a call during this time could result in as many as 50 to 60 members arriving on the scene in a short time. It was during one such response that Mahopac Chief Kurt Beger was heard to comment “They look like a bunch of ants headings to a picnic”, as men jumped from the trucks in their turn-out gear. This off-hand comment was the catalyst for the Ant Hill Mob logo that still can be seen on the Falls apparatus and apparel, along with the motto “With Pride We Serve”.
The mid 70’s mirrored the beginning years of the decade and rapid response required even faster growth. Another first for the MFVFD was the addition of a Fire Chief’s car. A 1976 Chevrolet K Blazer 4X4 outfitted with lights, siren, first aid equipment, and SCBA was purchased from Fisher Brothers Chevrolet. This allowed the chief to assess the scene and to take action until the first trucks arrived.
Two trucks were purchased for the second station; a 1976 Oren on a Ford Chassis and a 1976 Mack MB built into a 2000 gallon tanker by Amthor Wielding of Walden NY. These two vehicles gave the department the ability to allow either building to stand alone when fighting a structure fire. Each could respond with an attack truck and a minimum of 2000 gallons of water. If more assets were needed, the chief had the option to activate the second station as well as a mutual aid department. The West Side of Mahopac enjoyed the most up-to-date protection available at the time.
Although it had been just six years from the inception of ambulance service it was clear that a second EMS vehicle was needed. 1979 saw the delivery of a second ambulance built by Yankee Couch.
When looking back on the 1970’s it was impressive to those within the organization the amount of growth that had occurred. This growth could not have been accomplished without the foundation having been put in place by those 32 who had come before.
The 1980s almost became a time to take a breath and look around, decide where we would go next. This optimistic outlook lasted but a short time, the buying frenzy of the ’70s had left a severe shortage of workspace and room to house all the new equipment. In 1981 a groundbreaking took place, the old school building was taken down and a new four-bay addition an upstairs meeting room was constructed. These four bays joined to the 1960’s part of the building gave the department a total of eight bays and meeting facilities at Station One. Of course, vehicles that are used most are replaced and so the 1973 Ambulance found a new home and a new vehicle took its place. A new Chief’s car was purchased and the old one retired. One event that began life 80’s and will continue on for years to come was the idea of Ex-Chief Dick Beska. In 1985 Dick thought to honor those firefighters who had reached life member status in the department with a breakfast. Designated the Old Timer’s Breakfast a call was put out for all 20-year members to attend. The year 2011 saw the twenty-sixth Old Timers Breakfast. This event, like the Candy Cane Run which first saw life in the early 1970s, are much of the fabric that holds our organization together.
As the ’80s began to recede, attention was beginning to focus on the best method to plan a fire attack. Building had continued bringing more and larger homes. The growth in the population brought larger schools that had not been a concern before this point. Water, or the lack of, was an issue that had to be dealt with. Two methods were discussed, pumping large volumes through large diameter hose or transporting it by truck. The first, a large hose would require a water source that no longer existed, streams and ponds once plentiful were now parking lots and driveways. Choosing the second, a decision was made to purchase two identical 2500 gallon attack pumpers from Pierce Fire Apparatus. When these were delivered and added to the already existing water on hand would be approximately 10,000 gallons.
The 1990s dawned with the need to embrace new technologies in order to continue to provide the best service possible. The department began this process by first having both ambulances certified by New York State Department of Health. Though this would now require an EMT on board before the ambulance could respond to any call it was felt the level of care would be greatly enhanced. Next would be the purchase of a Thermal Imaging Camera, which provided the ability to see fire hidden behind walls, ceilings or any enclosed space. It also afforded the firefighter engaged in search and rescue a clear view of a downed victim saving precious time in recovery during life-threatening situations.
As new emergency equipment is introduced, fire departments are obligated to evaluate each piece and determine if it will better serve the public they are entrusted to care for. This was no different when defibrillators were made available outside the hospital setting for the first time. MFVFD again trained their EMT’s in the use of these life-giving machines and purchased a portable unit for the ambulance. As years passed and the units became smaller and more user-friendly, several more were purchased and placed on all vehicles. This allowed even the non-EMT firefighter to use the units once introduced in their operation.
We entered the new millennium eager to face new challenges. Suddenly, we were faced with an attack on American soil. In the weeks and days following the attack of the World Trade Center, Mahopac Falls, like many of our neighboring departments, answered the call by sending our men and our ambulance to the scene. Although the loss of American life spread a blanket of uncertainty over both our country and our community, the strength of the volunteer firefighter allowed the organization to move forward.
The turning of one decade into another highlighted the age of our equipment. Trucks had originally been built with a twenty-year life expectancy and many in the fleet were approaching 30 years of age. A new Salisbury rescue was delivered in 2001 followed by a 1500 GPM source pumper in 2004 and a tanker/pumper on 2006. All of the new vehicles were built on Spartan Chassis and with the exception of the rescue truck built by Marion Fire Apparatus.
Also showing its age was the Houseman Corners building requiring a committee to approach the idea of an addition. After months of hard work, the conclusion was reached that it would be best to demolish the existing structure and rebuild a larger footprint. This was accomplished when MFVFD entered into an agreement with Mark Porcelli of West Lake Construction and Ed Kuck Excavation to make this concept come to life in five months from the day the old building was demolished, Mahopac Falls moved into a brand new Station Two.
Members have always been the most prized possession of MFVFD. Allowing the individual to accomplish whatever they choose to aspire to has been the goal of the officers who direct the path the organization follows. At no time was this more apparent then when Chief Ann Link was sworn into office at the October 2009 meeting. Not only was Ann the first female Fire Chief in Mahopac Falls, but Putnam County as well.
Entering 2012 Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department Inc. will begin the 75th year of service to the residence of West Mahopac. Like all those in the fire service we are proud of what we do, we are proud of our buildings and our equipment. However, we are most proud of our members, our brother and sister firefighters, both our own and those of our neighboring departments.
That is why we will continue to include on our letterhead, our department patch and clothing we wear “With Pride We Serve”.
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