Red Bird Hook & Ladder Company 1

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 Company #1. For 86 years, until the year 1922, this company functioned as an engine company.

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 the Red Bird Engine Company #1 to the Red Bird Hook & Ladder Company #1.

In February of 1923, the company received its first motorized piece of equipment, a 1922 Dodge, built by William Morell. It was used until the year 1939, when it was replaced by Suffolk County's first hydraulic aerial, a 1939 Seagrave with a 65-foot ladder. This truck served for over 50 years and today is still in running condition and on display at the American Museum of Firefighting in Hudson, NY.

This company has come a long way -- from a hand drawn rotary pumper called the Red-Jacket which dates back to the 1790's (probably the oldest working piece of firefighting equipment in the country) to a 1999 Spartan/LTI 102' Aerial Tower. Beside the 1790 Red-Jacket (which can be seen at our headquarters) the Red Birds also have the responsibility for a 1997 Seagrave 75' (6-2-5) quint and a custom built 5-ton GI Rig (6-2-12B) which is used to fight forest fires.

Over the years the Red Birds have produced four chiefs: Thomas Britton, "Dutch" Creighton, Edward Gadzinski and Dennis Hamill. The Red Birds have had the honor of seeing many fine and dedicated people pass through their ranks, but none better than the men and women serving the community today.