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Getzville Fire Company

The History of Getzville Fire Co. Fires, floods, chowder and Surprise Storms highlight first 90 years Farmers like George Wolf realized by the fall of 1917 that something had to be done about the need for organized fire protection in Getzville. That's because Wolf's barn burned at Millersport Highway and Skinnersville Road burned to the ground one day and his loss was the catalyst which united neighborhood leaders to form the Getzville Fire Company 90 years ago. The organization's first fire apparatus was a chemical truck housed in an 18 by 12-foot shed. Wolf was elected president the following year. With spiraling membership and more emergencies to handle, attention soon turned to building a new larger fire hall. After several offers for land were entertained, the directors finally agreed to buy a parcel measuring 300 feet square at Dodge and Campbell for $1,500. A bid to build the hall was accepted at just under $9,900 late in 1924. The dedication of the hall occurred in September 1925, with members adding the skill and muscle to finish the interior. The lifeblood of the Getzville Fire Company during these early years were community dances and the annual picnic. The latter was supported mainly by the "Chicken Committee." This committee grew from nine to 30 men as the need for chicken chowder grew with its reputation. Committee members went door-to-door seeking donations of chickens, vegetables, beef and money. The tradition lasted 56 years.Frugal directors held off on the purchase of a new fire truck, but a 1926 Larabee became Getzville's next rig at a cost of $6,300. It was manufactured by the Buffalo Fire Appliance Corp. A Ford Model "A" chassis was fitted with the body of the existing Model "T" to form a new safer truck. Then in 1937, another pumper was purchased from Ford dealer Fred Muck for $692, and the Cayasler Corp. was paid $2,378 for building the apparatus on top of it. In 1950, a Ford/Ward LaFrance pumper was purchased for $75,000, while firemen cons

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