BALDWIN FIRE DEPARTMENT

On March 5th, 1896 the Baldwin Fire Department was formed with two fire companies, Hook and Ladder Co. 1 and Hose Co. 1. On March 5th, 1896, 40 residents became Charter members of Hook and Ladder Co. 1. They included; 2 Baldwin doctors, 1 pharmacist, and many prominent families of Baldwin, Bedell’s, Carl’s, Homan’s. Miller’s, Pettit’s, Southard’s, Story’s, and Verity’s just to name a few. 

A total or 463 residents of Baldwin have served in the ranks of Hook and Ladder Co. 1. When the Department added additional fire companies, the members of Hook and Ladder Co. 1 became Charter members of these new companies and help train them in the practices of firefighting. 

The first 2 Chiefs of the Baldwin Fire Department were from Hook and Ladder Co. 1. From the conception of the Department, 33 members of Hook and Ladder Co. 1 have been elected Chief of Department. 

During these 125 years Hook and Ladder Co. 1 has been housed in the Headquarters building on the corner of Grand Ave. and Prospect Street. From this firehouse location, the members of the company have maintained 8 pieces of fire apparatus, from hand drawn, horse drawn and motorized. We are presently operating the Baldwin Fire Departments newest truck a 2020 Ferrara 100’ aerial ladder. 

The members along with the “fire trucks”, they manned, have responded to alarms of fire, rescue and many calls for assistance. Hurricanes, flooding, auto accidents, Mutual Aid calls to assist our neighboring fire departments, removal of the citizens from all dangers caused by Mother Nature. During these many calls for “HELP”, 26 members of Hook and Ladder Co. 1 were cited for Bravery Beyond the call of duty. 

Many members of Hook and Ladder Co. 1 were called and served our country during World War 1, World War 2, The Korean War and The Viet Nam War. 

Members of Hook and Ladder Co. l were the first members to be assigned and respond to the Terrorist Attacks at the World Trade Center. 

In 1896 the first Chief of Department was from Hook and Ladder Co. 1, from 1896-1899 John H. Carl served. Here we are 125 years later, 2021. Chief of Department is from Hook and Ladder Co. 1, Timothy Hughes.