When a small group of community minded members of the hamlet of Central Islip gathered in the spring of 1906 to organize a Fire Company, they could not have realized what their dream would become one hundred years later. It would be interesting indeed to have their thoughts and opinions on this subject, and to discuss the growth and development of our Fire Department over the years, and to compare notes both on what they experienced in the early days to what the Department has become in the present day. It is certain they would be impressed with how their idea took hold and flourished, developed its’ own traditions and sense of pride, served the Central Islip community so well, yet still looks ahead to continue to improve itself and to provide for our neighbors with the finest fire protection and equipment available.
The hamlet of Central Islip traces its’ origins back to the middle of the 1800’s when several individuals purchased land here and established homes, farms and some businesses, but the need for an organized Fire Department was not immediately a concern. The village was in for a change however when the Central Islip State Hospital began operations in 1889. Over the subsequent years, the population expanded slowly as the Hospital attracted more and more workers to the area. As the number of residents grew, the need for a Fire Department became more apparent. Several fires at this time made the need obvious to all. The barn of John J. Swartz on Suffolk Avenue was lost in May of 1900, the cause being burning brush. Fisher’s Hotel, located on Carleton Avenue just south of the railroad crossing on the west side of the road, burned on February 4th of 1905. This fire crossed Carleton Avenue and also destroyed the Slater Estate which would now be the area encompassing First, Second and Third Avenue. The ever present danger of fire from the vast expanses of woodland throughout the vicinity also made it very necessary to take steps to create a Fire Company to protect the members of the community from this threat.
Therefore, with the support of a willing group of residents to institute the creation of such a Company, the Central Islip Fire District was created and approved by resolution of the Board of Supervisors of Suffolk County on March 21, 1905. Property on East Suffolk Avenue was purchased on September 16, 1905 for the purpose of constructing a ‘truck house’. The price paid for this land was $200.00. The actual location of our first ‘fire house’ was approximately 500’ east of the intersection of Suffolk Avenue and Wheeler Road, on the south side of (East) Suffolk Avenue. The Long Island Railroad ran directly behind the building to the south, as the building itself faced to the north. Original records from February 20, 1906 indicate a receipt for payment in full for the truck house in the amount of $402.78. With a hand-drawn ladder truck and a supply of buckets, the new Fire Company was ready to begin serving their community. |
