Department History
Established 1881
The Southampton Fire Department constructed its first quarters in 1881 on land rented from Dr. Hallock next to the South End School on Job’s Lane. The members of the department were alerted of emergencies by the ringing of the bell on the First Presbyterian Church.
In 1886 the department bought their own alerting system, a bell that would be installed inn their new quarters the following year. In July of 1887 the department rented another piece of property from Mr. Albert Reeves on Jobs Lane. It is here where they erected their new house and bell.
In these early the men were very active and participated in many tournaments. In 1889 the department became a member of the Suffolk County Fireman’s Association.
In the 1890’s the Agawam Engine Company and the Hook & Ladder Co. jointly built a Fire Station on Job’s Lane where the present Job’s Lane Deli is located.
In 1891 the department purchased its first new apparatus a hand drawn Runrey Engine. The purchase was made possible through a donation from D.J. Barney. The same year the department purchased their first new hose cart with donation from H.G. Trevor.
In 1894 the Village began to install Fire Hydrants throughout the district. Over the next few years the department purchased three more hose carts that were stationed strategically around the Village in four separate stations. All the equipment was hand drawn with the use of horses when available. This was the case until 1912 era when gasoline powered apparatus began to be used.
In 1923 the department and Village signed their first contract with the Town of Southampton for fire protection in what became known as the protection area. The same year the department moved into its new Fire Station on Windmill Lane were the departments main house is currently located and were zone 1 covers the central exposures.
In 1959 the department added another station on Hampton Road. This location remains the departments present day zone 2 and covers the eastern exposures.
In 1976 the department expanded yet again adding its third Firehouse on St. Andrews Road. This is also the departments present day zone 3 and covers the western exposures.
Alerting the firemen to emergencies was originally done by bells which evolved to a steam siren on the Lighting Building, then to an electronic siren installed by the village. A short time later in 1974 the department bought their first set of Radio Alerting Systems and equipped each member of the department with a set which was made possible through a donation. The Alerting System evolved from bulky home plectrons to what we have today, small compact belt worn pagers.
The present day complement for the Southampton Volunteer Fire Department is 145 firefighters and 25 pieces of emergency response apparatus.
In 1886 the department bought their own alerting system, a bell that would be installed inn their new quarters the following year. In July of 1887 the department rented another piece of property from Mr. Albert Reeves on Jobs Lane. It is here where they erected their new house and bell.
In these early the men were very active and participated in many tournaments. In 1889 the department became a member of the Suffolk County Fireman’s Association.
In the 1890’s the Agawam Engine Company and the Hook & Ladder Co. jointly built a Fire Station on Job’s Lane where the present Job’s Lane Deli is located.
In 1891 the department purchased its first new apparatus a hand drawn Runrey Engine. The purchase was made possible through a donation from D.J. Barney. The same year the department purchased their first new hose cart with donation from H.G. Trevor.
In 1894 the Village began to install Fire Hydrants throughout the district. Over the next few years the department purchased three more hose carts that were stationed strategically around the Village in four separate stations. All the equipment was hand drawn with the use of horses when available. This was the case until 1912 era when gasoline powered apparatus began to be used.
In 1923 the department and Village signed their first contract with the Town of Southampton for fire protection in what became known as the protection area. The same year the department moved into its new Fire Station on Windmill Lane were the departments main house is currently located and were zone 1 covers the central exposures.
In 1959 the department added another station on Hampton Road. This location remains the departments present day zone 2 and covers the eastern exposures.
In 1976 the department expanded yet again adding its third Firehouse on St. Andrews Road. This is also the departments present day zone 3 and covers the western exposures.
Alerting the firemen to emergencies was originally done by bells which evolved to a steam siren on the Lighting Building, then to an electronic siren installed by the village. A short time later in 1974 the department bought their first set of Radio Alerting Systems and equipped each member of the department with a set which was made possible through a donation. The Alerting System evolved from bulky home plectrons to what we have today, small compact belt worn pagers.
The present day complement for the Southampton Volunteer Fire Department is 145 firefighters and 25 pieces of emergency response apparatus.