DEPARTMENT HISTORY

A volunteer organization protecting the people and property of the Hamlet of Copiague, Long Island, N.Y. In 1927 the need for Fire Protection was recognized by it's citizens.

On July 15, 1927 an active committee met at the Hawkins Estates clubhouse (later Lakeside Hospital). The promise that insurance premiums would be reduced 50% was one consideration in the agitation. The Chairman of that committee was Herbert Howell, and the secretary, Samuel Smith. The Committee decided that a formal request should be made of the Town Board so that the Copiague fire District could be properly formed. After several conferences with the supervisor of the Town of Babylon, Joseph P. Warta, and upon a motion presented by him, the Suffolk County Board of supervisors, on December 9, 1927 approved a charter for the Copiague Fire District.

An election of fire district officers was set for December 15, 1927, when the votes cast totaled 306. The first Board of Fire Commissioners, then elected, was composed of the following: Frederick Dorman, Charles Eschwei, Henry Felker, Herbert Howell and Alfred Ketcham. The Treasurer elected was Thomas henry, later to become the first Chief of the Copiague Fire Department. At their organizational meeting on December 20, 1927, the Board selected Henry Felker as Chairman and Herbert Howell as Secretary.

Moving rapidly the Board set March 8, 1928 as the date for a referendum for a bond issue of $80,000 to purchase land, construct two firehouses and purchase firefighting equipment. The cost of land and buildings was $52,000 of which $29,000 was for headquarters building to be located on Great Neck Road and $13,000 for the Dixon Avenue station to be located on the northwest corner of Great Neck Road and Dixon Avenue and $25,000 for firefighting apparatus. Construction of the two firehouses and delivery of the apparatus was expedited and in November of 1928, the Copiague Fire Department took over the protection of the district.

The department was made up of two companies. The Vigilant Engine Company and the Southside Fire Company. The latter would be changed to the Eagle Engine Company in their first official meeting. The original apparatus consisted of a 500 gallon per minute pumper and a hose truck, which were assigned to the Vigilant Engine Company and a four tank chemical truck and city service ladder truck, which were assigned to the Eagle Engine Company. Of these original apparatus,