WATKINS GLEN—The Watkins Glen Fire Department celebrated their 150 year anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 25. The celebration started with a fire truck parade through the village that concluded at the fire station. During the ceremony, which was held in the bays which usually house the fire trucks, Tony Specchio gave the invocation and Barbara Hubbell sang the National Anthem. Cub Scout Troop 65 presented and raised the flag. A memorial prayer and service was included for all past members of the Watkins Glen fire department. The fire bell was also rung three times by Rob DeDominick. Ernie Thurston served as the master of ceremonies for the afternoon program. The public was invited to the ceremony on Saturday as well as many local and area officials. In preparation for the anniversary ceremony, Deputy Chief Robert DeDominick researched the department’s history. He said the village of Watkins passed an ordinance in March of 1862 to form the official fire company. There were about 50 people listed on the first roster. DeDominick explained the department was made up of two entities: a hook and ladder company and the rescue fire patrol. He said the fire patrol monitored the village, which was just called Watkins at the time, for any fires to report. However, DeDominick said the fire patrol was dropped years later when “the advent of the telephone” made communication easier. It wasn’t until 1882 that the department even had horses pulling the steam powered pumps. Until then people hauled the pumpers to the fires. DeDominick added that even when the company had horse-drawn equipment they didn’t actually own any horses. He explained the fire department relied on stable owners’ horses to get the equipment to the fire. The stable owners would have to race to the fire house though in order to be selected. DeDominick said the department paid $5 each time a horse hauled equipment to a fire, which would be equivalent to $140 now. The fire company relied on motorized transport starting in 1910. DeDominick said the department added more services when the soldiers returned home from World War II. He explained this was when the first aid, drill and rescue squads were started. The fire department even laid the groundwork for the Seneca Santa charity. DeDominick said the firefighters collected and fixed broken toys to be donated to children in the early 1950s. The fire department now has 58 volunteer members. Fire Chief Dominick Smith said things have even changed in the 21 years since he started. He explained people joined for the right reasons, wanting to help the community, but added there was also an aspect of it being like a social club. However, now he explained there are many rules and requirements in order to be a qualified firefighter. Family is also a driving force behind the fire department. Smith said his own father was a past assistant chief, his older brother was chief, his younger brother is the first assistant and his nephew is the deputy chief. He added there are also many Specchios and Moores on the roster. He pointed out half of the current members are related to someone else in the department. “I remember as a kid there was a fire down the street. I watched my father riding by the house to go to the fire,” said Smith. “From that day I remember thinking, ‘this is what I want to do.’”
