Millwood Fire Department History  

Lightning struck the Millwood Railroad Station one spring day in 1924 and a blazing fire started. Area residents attempted to put out the fire, but they did not have the equipment or manpower and the Chappaqua fire department was called in to suppress the blaze. To many residents, the railroad fire incident underscored the importance of a quick response to a fire in Millwood. Shortly after the Railroad Station fire, a dozen families met to start the Millwood Fire Company to meet the suppression needs of our community.

Land for the Millwood Fire House, located on Route 120, was provided by the Orser family -- long-time residents of the area. The founders of the fire company contributed seed money and solicited area residents for donations to build Station #1 and to buy the 1924 Brockway chemical pumper. Much of the labor to build the firehouse was donated by residents, as many were carpenters and tradesmen.

In the beginning, firefighters were called to alarms by hammering the "bell" a Steam Locomotive drive wheel suspended by leather straps -- still to be seen -- in front of Station #1. That system was soon replaced with an air horn which was later replaced with an electronic siren. 

In the early days, reporting a fire was done by telephone. When a fire was reported, telephones would ring in ten locations including Station #1, Millwood Shell, Deems Mobil, and the private homes of the Fire Company officers. Each of these phones was capable of sounding the air horn at Station #1. Today, a caller can dial 911 to report a fire, and firefighters are dispatched by a portable radio paging/alert system and an audible alarm sounds at the firehouse.

Millwood Fire Company #1 currently houses two locations: The newly built Station #1 located on Route 120 and Station #2 located on Route 134. There are approximately 45 active professional volunteers who respond to over 300 alarms a year. The well-trained company is equipped with 6 fire apparatus: two engines, a tanker, a ladder, a heavy rescue, a mini-attack as well as 2 utility vehicles, 3 Chief cars,  2 inflatable boats, and 1 special operations trailer. 

The Millwood Fire Company's goal is to protect the life and property of the Millwood area residents.

EMERGENCY CALLS FROM THE PAST

On Tuesday, August 31st, 1984 at 1420hrs, the Millwood Volunteers responded to Croton Dam Road between #284 and Millwood Firehouse #2 for a four car motor vehicle accident with injuries.