HISTORY OF THE LOUISVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

            The original groundwork in forming this organization was initiated in the year 1957 and it became officially active in 1958.

            In 1957, Mr. Leo Martin, supervisor of the Town of Louisville, was notified by the Towns of Massena and Norfolk (who were the providers of fire protection to the area) that the cost of insurance coverage had been drastically increased. At about the same time there was a house fire at the Kenneth Hurlbut property, occupied by the Hubert Yaddow family.

            Motivated by these two incidents, Merrill Bell and Kenneth Tyo approached Carl Grant with the idea of forming a fire department for the Township of Louisville. Merrill, Ken and Carl discussed the idea with the Town Board and received a favorable response. Massena agreed to provide fire protection coverage until the new department became activated. The Louisville Town Board asked the men to seek recruits who would be interested in becoming volunteer fireman. Forty men responded.

            Established as an organization, they returned to the town board. Together they set up a budget and were incorporated on November 7, 1957. Henry S. Howard, legal advisor for the group, submitted all the necessary documents to the county court house in Canton, NY, on the following day.

            With this behind them, they went to work locating a suitable fire station. The town owned a building adjacent to the town hall, which filled the requirements. Many fireman devoted many hours of their personal time to prepare this building for the arrival of the first equipment.

            The first vehicle to fill the station, a second hand 1948 Chevrolet fuel oil truck, was purchased for $800, and converted into a tanker. On November 11, 1957, the first new vehicle was ordered. It was a 1958 Chevrolet pumper, with a purchase price of $9000, financed by American LaFrance Co.

            On January 14, 1958, the wives of the firemen, along with the assistance of Alice Hiter of Massena, met to form an auxiliary to benefit and support the volunteers. At the time, a charter was drawn up listing 25 active members.

            With the firemen and the auxiliary active, and equipment on the way, the next consideration was securing financial support. The original funds of the organization were derived from a door to door campaign, which was very successful. Other fundraisers were dances held at the town hall and card parties held in members home.

            In 1958 the members considered the idea of a mothers day dinner as a tribute, with the proceeds being used to defray operating expenses. George Riley, along with a committee of the auxiliary and the firemen organized the event supplied with donations of food from the townspeople. While the ladies auxiliary primarily ran the first event, the duties were transferred to the fireman after several years. This fundraiser has provided the department with much needed financial support for nearly 50 years and has become an annual event in Louisville.

            The first field day was held at the Rod and Gun club in 1958. Although a great amount of effort went into this event, it was recalled by the original members, with great humor. A second field day was held in 1967. This event was held annually for many years with the always entertaining firematic races being the main event.

            As goals were accomplished, and money was more readily available, the time had come to submit orders for additional equipment. On January 3^rd, 1959, a Little Mo was ordered, priced at $8000, with a delivery date of April 16, 1960. About that time a GMC tanker was also ordered. Both of these vehicles were financed by a prominent local citizen.

            Due to the need for prompt response in case of a fire for the people on the opposite side of town, and the realization that their insurance premiums would be reduced, Thomas Carroll, Supervisor of the Town of Louisville, along with the town board, contracted the building of an additional fire station located at the intersection of State Route 37 and the Browning road. The two bay building was built by Gerald Tyo in 1960 and was known as “Number Two Station”.

            In 1967, it was decided that a larger, more functional fire station was necessary. The Louisville Village School District #6 donated the land to the fire department. The station houses 4 bays, a meeting room, a kitchen and lounge area as well as additional storage space. Today this station is known as “Station #1”.

            With the demolition of the Louisville #6 village school, its bell, which had tolled for 88 years, was donated to the Chase Mills Methodist Church. The church united with the Waddington Methodist Church in 1968 and no longer needed the service of the bell. Thanks to the efforts of several local citizens, the bell was returned to its original site, to be displayed and mounted on a field stone monument.

            After many years of Number 2 station serving the community the need for a replacement station was discussed. Completed in 2003, the new station #2 is located on State Route 37 adjacent to the new Louisville Town Offices. The station has 5 bays, offices and a large kitchen and meeting hall used both for fundraisers and community events. This station is also equipped so it can be quickly converted to shelter in the event of a state of emergency, further providing a service to the people of Louisville.

Taken and updated from LVFD 30th Anniversary 1988 by David Cassort