Strong Like a Firefighter

History of the Hillside Lake Fire Company #3

In July 1952, a group of civic-minded Hillside Lake citizens, desirous of increasing their fire protection, formed a committee to organize a fire company. This committee canvassed the Hillside Lake area and signed up a charter membership of forty-one active and social members.

Many of the early business meetings were held either in the homes of the members or in the clubhouse belonging to the Hillside Lake Community Club. Using the Stormville Fire Company “bylaws” as a guide, the members elected officers, organized the company, and became incorporated on October 15, 1952. A parcel of land was given to the company by Mr. William Schultz of Hillside Lake to construct a firehouse. Putting their diversified talents to work, the members began construction of a concrete block firehouse in June 1953. The building grew as fast as money became available through donations and the process of the turkey raffles and dances.

Help arrived in June 1954 when the wives of the members formed a Women’s Auxiliary to the fire company, and added their efforts to those of the men. By October 1954, the firehouse was complete enough to hold meetings, although it was necessary on occasions to pass the hat for oil to heat the building. During the year 1955, the firehouse was completed.

In January 1956, the fire company was accepted into the East Fishkill Fire District and the members began firematic training. A 1937 Diamond-T fire truck was the first piece of equipment assigned to Hillside Lake in July 1956. In 1958 the “Siren” newspaper was formed as a means of communication between the members for both firematic notices as well as news items about the company area. In July 1958 the Diamond-T truck was retired from service and replaced with a truck temporarily borrowed from the Wiccopee Fire Company. This truck remained at Hillside Lake until June 1959, when a new truck was assigned to the company. Also in 1959, construction began on an addition to the firehouse, which was to become both a meeting place for members as well as a social center for both firehouse and local community activities. The addition was completed in 1960, and in the same year, the fire company sponsored a “Teen-age” club and Boy Scout Troop No.48.

In 1961 the Fire Police was organized to aid the firefighters in traffic control. Shortly thereafter, another building was added to the firehouse. In 1967 a 1500-gallon tanker arrived at Hillside Lake and in the same year telephone operations were eliminated and a radio alerting system was installed in the homes of the firemen, greatly improving firefighting efficiency.

In 1968 a Rescue Squad was formed to aid the sick and injured of the community. In 1969 a Cadillac ambulance was purchased for use in transporting to the local hospitals. Its dedicated and highly trained membership totaled about 100 members, 30 of which were Hillside Lake Company No. 3 members.


In 1972 the East Fishkill Fire District purchased two new engines, one for the Wiccopee Fire company and one for Hillside Lake. They were Salisbury-Ford Louisville chassis with 750gpm 2-stage front mount pumps and 1,000-gallon tanks. They paid a total of $54,376 for the two engines.

In 1974 the firehouse again changed its shape. Two bays were added that currently house 39-18 and 39-33 and a second meeting room. The kitchen was expanded and new restrooms were added to accommodate the growing Company.

In June 1990 Hillside Lake Fire Company acquired 39-33, a 3,000-gallon tanker. It was one of three the East Fishkill Fire District purchased that year.

In 1996 the Hillside Lake Fire Company purchased a parcel of land on Hillside Lake Road, across from Jennifer Drive. This is to be used in the future to build a new Hillside Lake Fire House.

In 2001 the Hillside lake Fire Company purchased a second parcel of land on Hillside Lake Road, adjacent to the parcel purchased in 1996 across from Jennifer Drive. This is also to be used in the future to build a new Hillside Lake Fire House.

In 2005 the 1990 tankers went out to be refurbished.

In 2009 the Board of Fire Commissioners created contracts between the East Fishkill Fire District and the four fire companies that make up the District.

In 2010 Hillside Lake Fire Company No. 3 obtained a building permit for a new fire station from the Town of East Fishkill. It was a long and stressful road for several members dealing with neighbors who were not sure they wanted a new firehouse to the Town Board who can make it a challenge to put up a building in the Town. The Fire Company did officially break ground in the late fall of 2010.

While in the bay area our equipment waits in expectation to respond to any emergency at a moment’s notice. Most of all we are proud of our membership, those men and women dedicated in the truest sense of the word, who give their time and efforts so the people of our community can sleep restfully in their beds with the knowledge that comes fire or flood, illness or injury, trained people will come to aid them.