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Centereach Fire Department is established

March 9, 1933. Forest fires were a common occurrence, and at the time there were only four acting fire wardens; George Campbell, Arthur Murray, Bill Wortley and Alvin Smith.  In March of 1933 a meeting was held at the “New Village School House” and there a decision was made to establish the Centereach Fire Department.

In 1933 the first firehouse was constructed by local residents and located on the corner of Washington and Elinor streets.

The department began with the original 46 members and one fire truck to respond to calls. Arthur Murray was chosen as the first Chief of the Centereach Fire Department.

In 1939 the Centereach Fire District was formed with the Board of Fire Commissioners. The Fire District purchased the Firehouse from the Department for the price of $1 to transfer the property into the Districts name.  Along with the firehouse the Board of Fire Commissioners purchased 2 new pumpers 1 being a 1939 Ford Pumper the other a 1939 Sealand Pumper, which is still used today as our Antique Parade & Ceremonial Truck.

The first companies were formed in April of 1956 first with Engine Company 1 & Rescue Company 1, soon followed by Engine Company 2 & Fire Police Company in December 1956.

In 1965 the Centereach Fire District area began to grow and and second fire station was needed, Station 2 was built on Stony Brook Road in Lake Grove in 1967 and became the new home of Engine Company 2 .

Hook & Ladder Company 1 was formed in 1969 when the department put in service a 85′ Snorkel.

Engine Company 3 was formed in 1972, Station 3 was built  in 1973 at the Department training grounds on North Howell Ave.

In 1976 Hook & Ladder Company 1 & Rescue Company 1 merged to become Emergency Company 1 (later renamed Rescue Company 4 in 2005).  1976 also saw the formation of Ambulance Company, which was our 6th Company until 1995.

The first piece of apparatus (a 1933 Ford Chemical Wagon) was purchased by one of the members and firehouse built by members who were in construction and carpentry. Info and photos courtesy of Matt Gehm.

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