Fire Police Patrol Company 1

In the year 1911, the Riverhead Fire Department was made up of several different companies, one of which was the “Merchant Hose”. The members of this company were primarily rich merchants who thought more of their businesses than of putting-out fires. If there were customers in the place they took care of them first, then went to the fire. This resulted in their being the only company on-scene with dry hoses, which were quickly borrowed by other companies leaving them with no means to fight the fire even if they had wanted to.

In the meantime, on February 20, 1922 with the blessings of then Chief Nathan Corwin, the “Fire Police” were founded. The chief requested that Raymond Petty, foreman of the Merchant Hose be sanctioned this new companies first captain. As a result, the Merchant Hose slowly vanished and was disbanded on August 20, 1923 by request to the Commissioners from Captain Petty.

Some of the many responsibilities of the Fire Police are to; secure the fire or emergency scene, protect any possible crime scene evidence, control traffic flow around the area, administer First-Aid and offer a rehab station to anyone that might need it, conduct and oversee all salvage and overhaul operations, provide night-time scene lighting and replace or recharge depleted SCBA units as needed. It is a requirement that every member of this company becomes a fully certified Peace Officer.

The “Fire Police Patrol” as the company eventually was to become known, has a long and distinguished history. Many of its members were important people in the town, coming from a wide range of professional and business backgrounds. The company's 1924 roster was composed of Raymond Petty, Reginald Walters, Fennimore Corwin, John Hallock, William B. Walters, Rudy Vick, Norman Corwin, Herbert Bishop, Fred Barth, David Young, James “Gus” Roche, Fred W. Riesdorph, Edward C. Jenik, Harold Downs, Robert Hogan, Howard Gassett, Mark Flanagan, Milton Burns, and John Gondola (Dolan).

Some members of the company have distinguished themselves as part of the Riverhead Fire Department in other capacities. Joseph Coleman, Earnest Heppner and James Creighton have all served as Fire Commissioners. Kenneth Crayton was Riverhead's “Fireman of the Year” in 1971, Martin Montag achieved this honor in 1991 and Richard Campbell was awarded the distinction in 2001. Martin Montag has also served as Secretary of the Riverhead Firemen's Association and is the current Secretary of the Riverhead Fire District. Louis Nungesser was the first leader of the "Drum and Bugle Corps" and was elected Assistant Secretary of the Riverhead Firemen's Association in 1956, serving until he retired from the company in 1970. Alan Shields has been on the Publicity Committee as its chairman since 1966, he also does an excellent job in such promotions as the Scholarship Awards and Fire-Prevention poster contest.

The Fire Police Patrol has been an important part of the Riverhead Fire Department for over 80 years. Many good people have been members and many more will follow in their footsteps.