Our History

The story of the Point Pleasant Fire Department begins in early 1915, when a fire broke out in the home of Bill Michael at the corner of Osage Street and Point Pleasant Road. With no organized firefighting service to call upon, neighbors rushed to the scene and battled the flames with whatever tools they had on hand. Their teamwork and determination saved the home, but the experience made something clear: the growing community needed an organized fire service to protect lives and property.

Out of that moment of urgency came a vision. Local men gathered to discuss forming a fire company, and on the evening of March 10, 1915, the Point Pleasant Firemen’s Association was officially established. At that first historic meeting, Frank Schneider was elected President and Thomas Gosson became the department’s first Chief. Less than a year later, in February 1916, the Association proudly received its charter, solidifying the commitment of the community to building an enduring fire service.

The First Firehouse and Equipment

The department’s earliest equipment was modest but essential: a hand-drawn hose cart carrying about 500 feet of hose. With no firehouse yet constructed, members took turns storing the hose cart in their own garages or sheds. In 1917, recognizing the need for a permanent home, the firefighters came together to build their first fire station at the corner of Point Pleasant Road and Ewer Avenue.

The effort was entirely community-driven. The land purchase, building materials, and construction were funded through card parties, dinners, and fundraising events organized by both the firefighters and the Ladies Auxiliary. More importantly, the firehouse itself was built with the hands of the members. That station quickly became more than just a building - it was a source of pride, a gathering place, and a visible reminder of what the community could accomplish when working together.

Two years later, in 1919, the department advanced from its hose cart to its first motorized apparatus: a Ford Model “T.” Outfitted with a hand-crank siren, a bell, 1,500 feet of 2½-inch hose, two portable fire extinguishers, and two 25-foot ladders, the truck carried no onboard water but represented a significant step forward in the ability to respond quickly and effectively.

Growing with the Community

As the community grew, so did the fire department. Originally, the department’s protection zone stretched north to Durand Eastman Park, east to Irondequoit Bay, south to just north of Ridge Road, and west to Portland and Kings Highway. But as farmland gave way to housing developments and more families moved into the area, the demand for municipal oversight and formally funded services became clear.

In 1923, the Board of Fire Commissioners was established, creating the Point Pleasant Fire District. The boundaries were adjusted to include properties west of Irondequoit Bay, north of Titus Avenue, east to Leastman Lane (now Oakridge Drive), and south to Durand Eastman Park. This marked an important turning point: the fire service was no longer simply a group of neighbors volunteering their time but a recognized, municipally supported organization entrusted with safeguarding the entire district.

Expansion and Modernization

By the mid-20th century, the Point Pleasant Fire Department had become a cornerstone of the community. Its members not only answered alarms but also strengthened the social fabric of the area, carrying forward the spirit of the original charter members.

As new housing developments spread across the west side of the fire district, the department recognized the need for quicker response times. In 1957, the Board of Fire Commissioners purchased 13.5 acres on North Kings Highway. This property became home to Station Two, strategically placed to better serve the expanding community. The land also provided space for the department’s training grounds, ensuring firefighters could practice skills and tactics in realistic conditions.

Only a few years later, it became clear that the original firehouse on Ewer Avenue could no longer meet the needs of modern firefighting. Apparatus had grown larger and more specialized, requiring more space than the old station could provide. In 1962, through the same kind of determination and dedication that defined its founding, the department opened a new, modern firehouse - a facility that not only housed trucks and equipment but also stood as a community hub.

A Legacy of Service

The story of the Point Pleasant Fire Department is more than a timeline of apparatus and buildings. It is a story of people - neighbors who saw a need, rolled up their sleeves, and built something lasting. From the earliest days of storing hose carts in personal garages to raising funds through dinners and card parties, the department was shaped by sacrifice, commitment, and community pride.

The men and women who joined in the decades that followed inherited not only the responsibility of protecting lives and property but also the vision of those first charter members. They understood that the fire department was both a public service and a brotherhood, a place where camaraderie was as vital as readiness.

Today, over a century after its founding, the Point Pleasant Fire Department continues to honor that legacy. What began as a small group of neighbors with a hand cart has grown into a modern, well-trained, and fully equipped fire department - one that remains committed to protecting the community and upholding the values of dedication, service, and brotherhood that defined its beginnings in 1915.