Established In 1836

Our Mission

The Riverhead Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1836 to provide fire protection for the approximately 48 square miles that make up the Riverhead Fire District. Our department is now 210 members strong, with six companies comprised of thirty-five members each. As volunteers, we cover the "Fire District" which stretches over the Township of Riverhead and into parts of both Southampton and Brookhaven Townships as well. The RFD responds to an ever-growing number of alarms, averaging around 1000 emergency calls a year.

The Origins of the Riverhead Volunteer Fire Department

Sometime during the early part of 1836, it appears that a group of citizens of Riverhead saw the need for a fire company to protect the village from fire. A sum of money was subscribed for the purchase of a piece of apparatus to aid the company in this endeavor. This first piece of equipment, purchased used and originally manufactured around 1790, was a very primitive affair and was housed in a small shed behind what is now number 58 West Main Street.

This first equipment, an engine named the Red Jacket, is six feet-six inches in length by two feet-six inches wide and about five feet high. It's classified as a rotary-type “hand-engine” or “hand-drawn” and the pump itself was referred to as a “coffee-grinder” because of its rotary action.

When an alarm was sounded, the Red Jacket was pulled to the fire scene by all available manpower. The pump was then put-to-use by its two side arms, each about five feet in length. The apparatus required at least five men, two laboring on each side arm and one to direct the nozzle, to properly operate. A full prime could be established in less than six seconds, and the device could throw a stream of water up to 75 feet. The ability to accurately direct streams of water was a tremendous advancement over that times bucket-brigade method of fire suppression.

This colonial-era hand-drawn, in a remarkable state of preservation, still operable, is proudly displayed at Riverhead's Fire Headquarters at 24 East Second Street. This wood and steel contraption served its purpose well and gave excellent service to the town. It can still be seen, in full operation, when it performs at various parades and antique musters throughout the year.

The first fire company in Riverhead was organized on October 4, 1836, by the Riverhead Town Board, under Chapter 222 of the laws of 1832 and was called Red Bird Engine #1.There once was some controversy concerning the exact date of the official beginnings of the Riverhead Fire Department. Various dates ranging from 1832 to 1838 are mentioned from several different sources. The debate was finally settled in 1936 when the department officially accepted the date of 1836 and celebrated its 100th anniversary.

The earliest written meeting records of the department that can be found come from an old minute book. The Protection Engine Company #1 held Riverhead's first recorded meeting on September 30, 1854. These first minutes were signed by W.W. Hill as Secretary of the Company along with Sylvester Miller, Town Supervisor, and Nathan Corwin, Justice of the Peace. The firehouse of Protection Engine #1 was located on the south side of Cottage Place, which is now First Street, about 400 feet east of Roanoke Avenue.

The Washington Engine Company #2 came into existence on June 29, 1861, and held its first regular meeting July 5, 1861. David F. Vail was the Foreman. Their first meeting was held in the Old Court House on West Main Street, Riverhead at 8pm on Friday evening. The company has continued to hold its regular meetings on the first Friday evening of each month ever since. The firehouse of Washington Engine #2 was located on the west side of Abner Street, now Roanoke Avenue, in the vicinity of the town parking lot.

In the mid 1850s, many big city fire companies began replacing hand-engines, which required large crews, with steam-powered engines, which required only a few men. As building heights increased to five and six stories the ability of steam engines to throw steadier and higher streams of water established their superiority.

In August of 1875, a steam engine was purchased secondhand from the Fire Department of New York City for $1,000. This made Washington Engine Company #2 the first steam-equipped fire company in Suffolk County. When first put into service it was pulled by long, heavy ropes and lots of muscle, this was quickly modified so that horses could draw it. The first steamer lasted until 1908, when a 1903 “Metropolitan” steamer was purchased; the company used this engine until 1935. This apparatus was horse-drawn until 1923, when a motorized hose wagon began towing it to alarms. This 1903 “Metropolitan” can still be seen, throughout the year, putting on demonstrations at various antique musters.

In the year 1894, the Riverhead Fire Department, under Chief Oliver A. Terry and Assistant Chief Thomas Britton, consisted of the following companies: Red Bird Engine #1, Washington Engine #2, Rough and Ready Engine #3 and the Quick-Step Hook & Ladder #4.

Judge Timothy Griffing, George F. Homan and Allan Terrell were the first Citizen Directors (Commissioners) of the Riverhead Fire Department, which was officially recognized on November 15, 1882 by the Suffolk County Board of Supervisors.

Around 1921, a company known as Riverhead Hook & Ladder #1, originally known as Quickstep Hook & Ladder #4 (organized in 1883), became inactive to the point where Chief Nathan T. Corwin asked the Red Bird's to take over the Hook & Ladder wagon. In a special meeting called on February 28, 1922 the company voted to change its name from Red Bird Engine #1 to Red Bird Hook & Ladder #1.

Two days earlier, on February 26, 1922, the Riverhead Volunteer Firemen's Association was organized to promote local firematic activities. The association still meets each month to discuss the business and operations of the department, and is attended by members of all six companies.

The six companies of the department today are: Reliable Hose & Engine #1 (established 1909), Washington Engine #2 (established 1861), Ever-Ready Engine #3 (established 1920), Eagle Hose #4 (established 1915), Red Bird Hook & Ladder #1 (established 1922) and Fire Police Patrol #1 (established 1922)

The names of some of the old companies that have been reorganized into the present department are: Chemical Engine, Quickstep Hose, Riverhead Hook & Ladder, Red Bird Engine, Merchant Hose, Riverhead Hose, Quickstep Hook & Ladder, Hook & Ladder #1 and Rough & Ready Engine.

The only two companies in the department never reorganized from the time of their creation are Washington Engine #2 and Eagle Hose #4.

The Riverhead Fire District purchased its first motorized piece of equipment in 1921. The new hose truck was assigned to Reliable Hose & Engine #1.

The Riverhead Exempt Volunteer Firemen's Association was organized on December 22, 1930 with Fire Commissioner George W. Hildreth as its first president.

The Ladies Auxiliary of the Riverhead Firemen's Association was organized January 25, 1932 with Mrs. J. Harold Downs as president.

The fierce competition of drill team racing has been a tradition in Riverhead for over 70 years. Prior to the organization of Riverheads “Ironmen” Drill Team in 1935, two companies regularly made great showings at these firemen tournaments, and were awarded more than 75 trophies within a period of just a few years. These two original racing companies were the Reliable Hose & Engine Company, known as “Smoky Joe's Reliables”, and the Eagle Hose Company, known as the “Flying Eagles”.

The Riverhead Fire Department today sponsors a junior band, a little league baseball team and a scholarship fund for our two local high schools.

The department today ranks among the most efficient in New York State in fire protection, both within the district it serves and in mutual-aid assistance to other fire departments.

Riverhead can be justly proud of its fire department, which now consists of 180 volunteer firefighters organized into six companies: four engines, one truck and one fire police. Apparatus inventory includes at total of six engines, one tower ladder, one aerial ladder, one heavy rescue, three brush trucks, lighting & support unit, two traffic control units, one tanker, three utility vehicles and four chief's cars. These volunteers also maintain an antique 1903 “Metropolitan” steamer and the famous 1790 “Red Jacket” hand-engine.

There are now four firehouses in the district; Department Headquarters on East Second Street and Station 1 on Hamilton Avenue protect the central part of town, Station 2 on Hubbard Avenue covers the east and Station 3 located on Twomey Avenue in Calverton covers the west. Being that the Riverhead Fire District is over 48 square miles, a zone-response system was developed to ensure that all parts of town are protected at all times.

In the month of May the department holds its annual inspection of all its membership. This formal inspection is followed by a memorial service where honor is given to all departed members.

Encouraged by enthusiasm of current members and the memories of its past performance, and with the continuing support of the citizens of Riverhead, this department, as it has for almost 170 years, stands ready to answer any and all calls for assistance.