BALDWIN FIRE DEPARTMENT

Though the Baldwin Fire Department was approved by a vote in February, Hose Company No. 1 was officially organized on March 5, 1896. Since that date, over 400 Baldwinites have appeared on the Company’s membership rolls.

Hose Company No. 1 has always played an active part in the activities of the Baldwin Fire Department. In 1915, it purchased the first motorized hose cart in the Department.

In 1921, the Company became the proud owner of one of the fastest REO “Speedwagon” Hose Trucks in this part of the state. In 1951, the Baldwin Fire District purchased the 1000-gallon Ahrens-Fox Pumper that is still in the possession of the Hose Company, and which has done valiant service not only in fighting fires in Baldwin, but also in Long Beach, Oceanside, and Freeport.

During the long and glorious history of the department, in state and country firematic parades and tournaments, Hose Company No. 1 has played a noble part, evidenced by the number of trophies and cups decorating the cabinets of its meeting room.

With the advent of the REO truck, the Company toured up and down Long Island winning prizes from Riverhead to Long Beach, and in 1922 was the State Champion in both motor hose and chemical contests for standard fire apparatus, winning those titles at the State Jamboree in Freeport.

The membership has been present for all major regional emergencies, including the Suffolk County wildfires in 1995, the tragedy of September 11th in 2001, Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and most recently, the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

Several pieces of apparatus, once operated by Hose One have continued to serve Baldwin through the creation of Hose Two, Hose Three and Hose Four later in the Baldwin Fire Department timeline. The original 1896 Hose Wagon was transferred to start Hose Company Two in 1913, our 1915 “Thomas Floranto” was transferred to Hose Three upon their inception 1922, and our 1929 Ahrens-Fox was transferred to Hose Company Four when they organized in 1951. Still a champion for our history, the membership of Hose One takes great pride in keeping our 1951 Ahrens-Fox pumper in top shape, participating in parades and social events throughout Baldwin and all over Long Island.

Throughout the past 125 years, the membership of Hose Company No. 1 have had the privilege to serve under 82 Captains and proudly offered 22 members who would ultimately serve as Chief of Department.

In 1995, 201 was assigned to the Suffolk County wildfires and spent almost 3 days working throughout the pine barrens region.

Hose One, along with Hook & Ladder One, celebrated 100 years of service to the Baldwin community in 1996.

By the early 2000’s, Hose Company One’s roster was at the highest it had ever been, topping off with 33 members.

On May 18, 2011, we lost the second member of the Baldwin Fire Department in the Line of Duty. Ex-Captain Michael P. Esposito suffered a heart attack responding to a house fire at 2870 Grand Avenue (alarm # 11-0681). In 2021, the Board of Fire Commissioners approved Hose Company One’s request to promote Michael posthumously to Honorary Chief.
 
The present active membership of the Company has taken great pride in following the example set in previous years by doing a thorough and efficient job in firefighting and training. We look forward to providing our services to the Baldwin community well into the future.