1803: The Sag Harbor Fire Department is one of the oldest chartered fire departments in New York State. It was considered a civic duty and an honorable distinction to belong to the fire company. Robert Fordham and Benjamin Huntting were the among the first fire captains - two good old Eastern Long Island names. The Fordhams were mariners and inn keepers, the Hunttings were engaged in maritime industry: ship building and sending out cargo carrier and whaling vessels.

1817 to 1819: The first of our four devastating blazes to hit the village broke out in 1817, destroying 20 homes and stores. The village in response to this formed the Otter Hose Company in 1819, one of the State's oldest volunteer fire companies. 

1829: Minutes of the old-time corporation meetings show some amusing entries, as in January - "One dollar was apportioned out of the fines and penalties collected for the year to defray the expenses of the annual meeting of the fire company."

1832: A hook and ladder company was organized, Engine Company No. 2 followed in 1833, consisting of 20 members. In 1837, Engine No, 3 was bought. The machines owned by the companies were small hand pumpers, called "pianos."

1836: After a great conflagration in New York City in December 1835, most of the big fire insurance companies failed. To protect the uninsured property in Sag Harbor Village, the people met and signed a pledge to stand night watch. 

1845: One of the greatest fires in Sag Harbor occurred on November 12. Hand pumpers were unable to stop the flames, which made a clean sweep, destroying property estimated at a half million dollars. Gazelle Hose Company was organized to attend the pumping engines. Its new carriage was built in the village in 1846. The motto of the company was "We fight but to conquer, we conquer to save."

1846: The fire department was completely reorganized in May and consisted of five companies: Niagara Engine Company No. 1, and Gazelle Hose Company No. 1. William R. Post, of Southampton, was elected chief engineer. He was a whaleman, as were most of the active firemen during the year 1840 - 1860. With these five companies, everything was done to promote efficiency. The companies were uniformed (red shirts and heavy leather fireman's helmets), and each company had its own headquarters. The department numbered nearly 100 men. With memory keen of the big fire of '45, the people of the village met and voted to raise $2,200 (a large sum in those days) exclusively for fire prevention purposes.

1861: An act to revise, amend and consolidate the server acts relating to Sag Harbor Village was passed by the New York State Legislature on April 18th. It defined the boundaries served by the fire department. The trustees permitted the apparatus to protect North Haven, Noyac and just outside the village limits on the East Hampton State Highway in emergencies. There was an arrangement by which the department was permitted to go out of the village in case of great fires in the nearby Hamptons. When aid was summoned, but one of the two village pumping machines were always kept available for the protection Sag Harbor property from fire. Trustee Edward B. Bill and Chief Engineer Charles Arnold worked indefatigably to raise enough money to buy more powerful hand-pumping machine. The village appropriated $800 for this machine, and with money donated by individuals, Minnehaha Engine No 1 was bought. Old Minnehaha was in service for half a century. Even after it had been practically condemned, a company named the Hounds (the former Montauk Hose Company No. 2) repaired it and won first at one of the county tournaments. 

1866: A new hook and ladder truck was built by Williams & Cullum of Sag Harbor for Phoenix Hook and Ladder Company. Years later, this great lumbering truck won fame at tournaments. at one of the tournaments, after the Sag Harbor lads had won a trophy, they dressed up the big ladder rack with hay, donned overalls, and straw hat, and paraded down the course past the grandstand. After that, the Phoenix truck went by the name of Old Hay Rack and was always cheered when brought to the various contests. 

1873: A special meeting was held at Village Hall on June 9, in compliance with a petition calling for the purchase of new fire apparatus for the fire department. A committee was appointed to inquire into the cost and expedience acquiring a steam pump. The petition resulted in a decision denying permission for a steam pump; however, obtaining a good second-hand fire engine was suggested. Sag Harbor was wedded to its hand-pumping engines. At that special corporation meeting, enough hot air and energy was expended to run a dozen steam engines, and resulted in a decision to "inquire, not purchase, as to the cost of second-hand engines."

1877: In February, Sag Harbor was again laid waste in its lower section by fire. Thirty-three buildings were destroyed. The loss was estimated at $135,000. A new hose cart was bought for Gazelle Hose Company.

1888: After signing a contract with the Sag Harbor Water Authority, the Village had an abundant water supply, and fire protection was by a hydrant system which served the entire village. Sag Harbor for the first time entertained the Suffolk County Volunteer Fireman's Association at the annual tourney. Sag Harbor extended lavish hospitality to the visiting firemen, who came by boat and train with their apparatus, to the number of 1,000 persons. On tournament day 1,800 meals were served. No other village had attempted to feed the firemen before this time. The tournament was one of the greatest successes of the village and has gone down in history as a gala event in the annals of the Sag Harbor Fire Department. Total number in the fire department was 135 men.

1899: Josiah Smith was given a contract to build a new Murray Hill Hose Company fire house at the corner of Division and Elizabeth Streets. 

1906: When responding to a fire alarm on May 27, the Murray Hill Hose Company's "jumper" collapsed in turning the corner of Division and Henry Streets. The cart was a frail two-wheeled rig, totally unfit to carry a full supply of hose. The juvenile fire company, the Julia King Juvenile Hook and Ladder Company, was equipped and uniformed through the donations of Miss Julia King. The company was issued uniforms of red shirts, white duck trousers, blue caps upon which "S.H" was worked, and white running shoes. The company made its first appearance at a Patchogue tournament. The little fellows ran with the Southampton Hook and Ladder Truck and secured a prize. The next year, a fine juvenile truck was procured for them and thereafter they attended all the tournaments with the Sag Harbor Fire Department. Some Sag Harbor firemen, who were returning by stage from Southampton where they had been playing basketball, rendered valuable assistance at a fire Bridgehampton had in December. 

1912: In July, a new hose house at upper Ward for Otter Hose Company was built at a price of $1,625, extra to be paid for piping water, setting sink, hanging bell, etc. Otter Hose Company's new home was completed in September. The village resolved to furnish the company with necessary chairs, tables, desks, and stoves. 

1915: After much talk among the companies about purchasing motor driven fire apparatus, Otter Hose Company took the first progressive step toward motorizing the fire department and voted to purchase a large Lozier car. The car was refitted to meet the requirements of fire fighting. Strange things have happened to the Sag Harbor Fire Department over the years, but one of the queerest occurred in May. At that time, all the fire companies wanted propelled apparatus. The Otter Hose had taken initiative with the use of company funds and individual donations. Others wanted motor carts and chemical firefighting apparatus. A two-wheel "jumper" had been used as an auxiliary to Montauk Hose Company's carriage. A few weeks before, residents on upper Madison Street organized a new hose company (short-lived), hoping to use the old "jumper" while an automobile hose cart was being built for them. Although permission was not refused by the authorities, the new company was unable to find the piece of fire apparatus. The last seen of the machine, some said, was that it was headed toward Long Wharf, and the interference was that it had been run off the pier into 14 feet of water. 

1917: Phoenix Hook and Ladder Company and Gazelle Hose Company moved their apparatus to the Municipal Building on Main Street, and meeting rooms were fitted up on the upper floors for the firemen. The firemen had fire headquarters, second to none in Suffolk County, and were granted by the Village just about anything needed. There were few activities, aside from routine duty, in the fire department, as everything was let go to devote every energy to war work. Fires caused the department to be called out four times in December. The month was exceedingly cold with subzero temperatures.

1925: The Alvin Manufacturing Company, located on Main Street, was the scene of a fearsome fire on the night of January 1st. It was a night with bitter cold, gale force winds. The firemen responded, battling through Washington Street (where it was said to have started), to Main Street, their coats encrusted by freezing water, they were able to contain the fire by 6 am the next morning. 

1929: A card of thanks, printed in the Sag Harbor Express in April, read : "On behalf of my family and neighbors, I want to thank the Sag Harbor Fire Department for their speedy response for a fire alarm given last Sunday night. It seems the alarm was no sooner given then we head the equipment approaching full speed. We all certainly felt proud of such efficiency and the fire was soon extinguished. -A.C. Bates"

1941: A two-alarm fire broke out in the Corner Tavern at the corner of Washington and Division Streets, in August. Nearby, Joseph Sherry Jr. was awakened by staccato sounds, which he first thought to be pistol shots. With one glance out his window, he realized he was hearing bottles popping as he saw fire breaking out of the Corner Tavern. True to fireman's code, 'get there, never mind how,' Mr. Sherry hastily donned only trousers and rushed barefoot, shouting as he ran, through the alley from Division Street to the municipal Building on Main Street. Before the first alarm blew, Mr. Sherry and some other firemen had the first trucks rolling. The nature of the old buildings made the fire a hazardous one, and many of the men sustained injuries. However, the firemen managed to bring the fire under control.

1951: From the March 29 issue of the Sag Harbor Express: "Every piece of apparatus of the Sag Harbor Fire Department was lined up at the entrance of the village to deliver a rousing welcome on the arrival of the latest edition - a new pumper. Not until the fire trucks, sirens blowing and lights blinking, had paraded through the village streets were the ceremonies ended. Leading the parade was the mourning-draped old pumper. After the parade, the new truck was proudly placed on exhibition in front of the Main Street fire house. That evening, members of the various companies came to view the newly acquired pride and joy. Specifications included 560 gallon pump, carries 500 gallons of water 161 h.p. engine and three stage high pressure pump which delivers between 750 and 800lbs. of water pressure from the nozzle. The three-stage pump equipment, which no other community in this area possesses, is used for gasoline, oil, or other volatile fires. It is able to create a fog and can deliver a stream from a longer distance. The new pumper is replacing one bought in 1921. The old apparatus, capacity of only 171 gallons of water and a 400-gallon pump, has been declared obsolete and will be put out to bid."

1978: A fire which started in the Kitchen of the Harbor House Restaurant on Main Street spread rapidly through the three-story wooden building. Requests for the assistance brought East Hampton, Southampton, and North Sea Fire Departments to the scene. Although the building was completely demolished, the firemen were able to prevent the raging fire from destroying adjacent buildings. Responding to fires and rescuing cats from trees has not been the only responsibilities of the Sag Harbor Volunteer Fire Department. On August 24th, the department was called on to retrieve a monkey from a tree. A search for a missing seven-inch spider was unsuccessful. Members celebrated the opening of the Sag Harbor Fire Department Museum, located in the former Montauk Hose Company Headquarters on the corner of Church and Sage Streets.

1988: The new Columbia Street fire house was completed. 

1986-87: In May of 1986, a brush fire on the grounds of Hither Hills State Park in Montauk, fanned by high winds, burned out hundreds of acres of land. Smoke from the fire could be seen from as far away as Bridgehampton, and to the east of Orient Point (on the North Fork). Fire Departments throughout Suffolk County were called to help battle the blaze, which took three days to extinguish. In July of 1987, an electrical fire on a cabin cruiser moored at the Baron's Cove Marina roused Sag Harbor Fire Department volunteers from their beds at midnight. Four people aboard the vessel were sent by ambulance to Southampton Hospital, as the flames spread to a neighboring yacht.

1994: A fire which started in the Emporium Hardware Store on Easter Sunday kept the volunteers busy for most of the day and night. The hardware store was totally destroyed with two adjacent buildings severely damaged. Assistance was called from the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th divisions of Suffolk County numbering 20 departments in all. 

1995: In August a large brush fire, probably the largest on Ling Island, struck the Pine Barrens in Westhampton and Eastport. The fires raged for five days and final extinguishing not coming for over a week. The conflagration saw the biggest mobilizing of fire equipment ever seen on Long Island, with departments from Montauk to New York City being called in to help.

2001: A New Year's Eve fire on the corner of Joels Lane and Jermain Avenue again called on the volunteers of the Sag Harbor Fire Department. This four-hour blaze had the members ringing in the New Year packing hose back onto their fire trucks.

2003: For 200 years, the volunteers of the Sag Harbor Fire Department have compiled a fine record of loyalty, sacrifice, dedication, and endurance. Members of the department continue this tradition of exemplary service to their community with countless hours of their time and efforts, and we offer our hearty congratulations to our volunteer firefighters on their 200th anniversary.