After many years under the protection of neighboring Fire Departments, the citizens of the town of Knox formed a committee in the early 1940's to discuss the posibilities of establishing local fire protection for the town. In 1945, a petition began to be circulated among the residents of the town requesting the support needed to establish a Local Fire District. In 1948, the petition was presented to the Town Board of Knox for review.
While the petition was under review, the First Organizational Meeting of the Knox Volunteer Fire Company was held on Nov. 1, 1948. The following Officers were elected: Chief Herbert Quay, First Assistant Chief Ernest Saddlemire, Second Assistant Chief Marshall Stevens, Secretary Marshall Barber, Treasurer Frank Wood, Sr.; Lyman Brandon was appointed Legal Advisor. Later, the Company would be incorporated on August 19, 1953.
On April 23, 1949, the Town Board approved the petition and forwarded it to the State, as well as alotting $1500 expenses for the purchase of Apparatus and equipment. On February 1, 1950, the Town Clerk recieved notice from the State Comptroller to establish the Knox Fire District. The First Commissioners of the District were Arthur Quay (president), Howard Shafer (secretary), Marvin Traux, Frank Settle, and Herman Gruelick, and Chester Quay was appointed Treasurer. Its first act was establish a Fire Department to fulfill the fire suppression responsibilities. The membership of the Knox Volunteer Fire Company assumed those firematic duties as the Knox Volunteer Fire Department. The company continues to this day to serve in its social function as a support and recreational organzationfor the Knox volunteer firefighters.
In May 1950, the one room school house of School District No. 6 was purchased by the Fire District for one dollar. Remodeling labor was done by members of the department, and funds came from loans made by private citizens who waived any interest charges.
In the summer of 1951, The Fire Commissioners purchased their first apparatus from the Scotia Fire Department for $595. Included was a 1922 American-LaFrance chain drive with a 750 GPM pump and 350 gallon booster tank, a 100 GPM portable pump, 700 feet of 2 1/2 inch hose, and 200 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose. A 22 foot extension ladder was built by Marvin Traux.
The first Fire call to use the new truck was a mutual aid call at the Nelson residence in the Town of Wright. Lloyd "Benny" Quay had the honor of being the driver of the first Knox fire truck to respond to an official call. The House was saved.
In the summer of 1952, a 1946 Brockway fuel delivery truck with a 2200 gallon tank was bought for $2000. The truck was converted for use as a tanker to keep water supplied to the scene of calls. It was also used to bring in added revenue to the department, since the truck could also be used to bring water to town residents during low water times.
During the summer of 1954, members of the fire department worked together to expand the firehouse. The addition was done to make room for the new incoming piece of apparatus. The district purchased a 1954 GMC/American-LaFrance pumper, with a 750 GPM pump for $15,250.
In the summer of 1956, a prolonged drought nearly emptied the Altamont Reservoir, located in the town of Knox. 18 Fire Companies responded to aid in an emergency water relay. Water was relayed from Thompson Lake to the Altamont Reservoir, 4 1/4 miles away. At first thought impossible, the companies worked for two 24 hour days and relieved the shortage. That same year, the one-room school house on Township Road was sold to the Fire District for $1.00. This addition would later be converted into a second station.
In 1959, another addition was made to the Knox firehouse. The Kitchen and meeting areas were expanded, and bathrooms installed. Once again, all the construction was done by the members of the department donating their time and labor.
After many years of faithful service, the Brockway tanker truck was retired and replaced. The District purchased a 1953 Ford truck, equip with a 2000 gallon tank. The 1922 LaFrance was also showing its age, and three years later was replaced. A new International/Howe fire truck, was purchased for $16,000. It was equipped with a 350 GPM pump and a 300 gallon boster tank.
In 1964, the town switched to a new dial telephone system. With it, a telephone warning system was esablished in the town. Five telephones were placed throughout the town at the home of Elmer Becker, Braden's Store, Barney & Harry's grill, Steven's gas station, and at the firehouse. All phones rang when the fire number was called, and the first person to answer would then take the message, activate the siren by depressing a lever located near the phone, and relay the emergency by calling the firehouse.
1966 finally saw the conversion of the Township school house into Knox Fire Station 2. Repairs were made, a new concrete foundation was poured, and the school room converted into a garage. Once again, the majority of the work was done by the firemen.
In October 1966, the Westmere Fire District, of Guilderland, NY, presented Knox with a 1937 open cab International fire truck with a 500 GPM pump. The truck was delivered for the cost of $1.00. The truck would later be returned to Westmere and restored. It remains in service to this day as E-94, serving as a parade and display truck.
In June 1967, the Niagra Mohawk Power Company approached the fire department about establishing a house numbering system for the Town of Knox. The membership undertook the task of measuring the roads and assigning house numbers. When the task was completed in May 1968, it was turned over to the Town for maintenance.
The 1953 Ford tanker was retired in August 1970. It was replaced by a 1970 International 200 gallon tanker.
MORE TO COME AS TIME AND RESEARCH CONTINUES...
HERBERT QUAY- 1948
ERNEST SADDLEMIRE- 1949-53
LLOYD "BENNY" QUAY- 1954
ERNEST SADDLEMIRE- 1955
ELMER BECKER- 1956-58
DONALD WEIDMAN- 1959-61
AL SCHAGER- 1962-63
PATRICK NICHOLSON- 1964-65
PAUL DUELL- 1966-67
DAVE STEVENS- 1968
FRED OETTINGER- 1969
BOB STEVENS- 1970-71
PAUL DUELL- 1972-73
DAVE WARD- 1974-76
DAVE SHAFER- 1977-79
LOUIS SADDLEMIRE- 1980-1998
KEN SADDLEMIRE- 1998-2003
BILL VINSON- 2004-PRESENT