125 years, the Massena Volunteer Fire Department

For 125 years, the Massena Volunteer Fire Department has stood as a pillar of courage and community dedication in the heart of Massena. Since its founding in 1900, generations of brave men  have selflessly answered the call to protect their neighbors, rushing toward danger while others flee. Through blizzards, floods, and countless emergencies, these volunteers have sacrificed holidays, sleep, and personal safety to ensure the wellbeing of their community. More than just firefighters, they have become woven into the fabric of Massena itself—raising funds for those in need, educating children on fire safety, and creating a brotherhood that spans generations of families. As they celebrate this remarkable milestone, the community reflects with profound gratitude on 125 years of unwavering service, heroism, and the volunteer spirit that continues to define the Massena Volunteer Fire Department.

BEGINNING OF MASSENA FIRE

Before Massena Fire

Since 1886, Massena has had fire protection. Fred Balch, a plumber and iron worker, in 1886 bought a hand operated fire pumper and kept it in his barn near Massena Springs. He made the equipment available at fires and later turned it over to the Massena Volunteer Fire Department when it was formed Mar. 12, 1900.


Massena Fire Was Formed


NEW ENGINE HOUSE

In 1904, the board decided to move the old engine house to the White's Hotel property on Andrews St., near the Ober House, at a rental of $25 a year. This was moved to Massera Springs when Hose Company No. 2 was formed in 1915.


HOOK AND LADDER

The hook and ladder outfit was purchased in 1905 and the hand pumper was then purchased in 1906.


FIRST MOTORIZED EQUIPMENT

In 1916 the taxpayers voted on a bond  for $3,000 to pay for a chemical fire truck for the use of the department, also to pay rental charges on the alarm system. This was the first motorized piece of equipment. The 75 LaFrance pumper was purchased in 1925.

Firemen's Annual Ball

In 1919 the members of the Massena Fire department workedon arrangements for their annual masquerade ball, which will be held in the Alcoa Armory January 31, 1919. For the past few years it has been impossible to allow any spectators because of lack of

room in the venue but in 1919,  there  was seating capacity for about 1000. They where trying for the largest ball they have ever. they had Costumes for the masqueraders.

1st Annual Clambake

In August 1937 the first annual clambake was held Sunday under the auspices of the Massena Fire Department, and about 400 hundred people attended from Massena, Ogdensburg, Utica and other villages and cities. In charge of the bake was  Napoleon

and Roy Menard who were assisted by five kitchen cooks and five waiters. The clam chowder was served from 10 a. m. and through the day along with raw clams. The main bake was held at 1:30 p. m.  Music was furnished by Buck Murphy and his band. The following amounts of food were used: 1,000 smoked sausages, two bushels of sweet corn, two bushels of Irish potatoes, two bushels of sweet potatoes, 320 lob-sters, 3,000 steam clams and 3,000 raw clams, 320 chickens, one crate of celery, four gallons of pickels, 30 pounds of butter, 52 dozen rolls, four gallens of olives, and 80 gallons of clam chowder made with milk.


Firemen Answer 129 calls in six months

Massena Volunteer Fire Department attended 129 fires during the period Apr. 1 to Oct. 6, 1962, according to information submitted by fire chief Cliff Weegar Jr. Average attendance at each fire was nearly 25 percent.


Number of times trucks were-used:

E29-47

E30-40 

 E31 -49

Tanker-15

Jeep-5


The department held eight fire drills which included:

1 equipment drill

1 propane gas drill

1 natural gas drill

1 resuscitation drill

3 rescue boat drills

1 mobile duck drill


Big Fires 1853- 1981


Marston Hotel-1853

Eagle Hotel-1864

United StatesHotel-1871

Bentley Hotel-1889

Hyde Creamery-1896

White's Hotel Barns-1917

Taylor Grist Mill-1920

St. James Hotel -1921

St. Lawrence Inn -1922

C-M Building-1925

Harrowgate School-1926

Hatheld House-1932

White's Hotel-1933

Carton Block-1940

CentralBuilding-1940

Freight House-1946

MasonicBlock-1947

ParMarket-1953

GloGas-1955

Mica Plant-1956

Smith's Market-1981


Massena Fire Past Chiefs

FE BAILEY 1900

G W BALL 1901,02

H J POTTER 1903,04

W L SMITH 1905,06

DAVID REID 1907,08

A J NELSON 1909

WH HODGES 1910

F J STUBBS 1911

NELSON A PHELIX 1912-18

WILLIAM HUTCHINS 1919

W M CARNEY 1920

F P HODGE 1920

J R WEAVER 1921

E A JONES 1922

N A REID 1923

R W COUNTRYMAN 1924,25

E P DOYLE 1926

J R WEAVER 1927-30

LOUIS DEMERS 1931

WILFRED FYCKES 1932,33

FRANK MORRELL 1934,35

ELI KIRKEY 1936

HUGH WING 1936,37

CLIFFORD WEEGAR 1938,39

GLEN A ROBINSON 1940,41

HARLAN D SHARLOW 1942,43

JAMES BOURDON 1944,45

HARRY E SMITH 1946,47

GEORGE MOLNAR 1948,49

DONALD CLINE 1950,51

CHARLES SMITH 1951-53

WESLEY GENAWAY 1954,55

JOSEPH KING 1956

LEWIS HITER 1957,58

BILL REID 1959;60

CLIFFORD WEEGAR 1961,62

HOWARD BROUSE 1963,64

CHARLES SHARLOW 1965,66

ARMAND BOURDON 1967,68

JOE KISH 1969,70

FRANK JARVIS 1971,72

PHIL AUSTIN 1973,74

DUANE HAZELTON 1975,76

JOHN OSHEA 1977,78

HENRY LEDGER 1979, 80

ART LAMENDOLA 1981, 82

ALEX KRYWANCZYK 1983,84

GARY DONALDSON 1985,86

GERALD LEPAGE 1987,88

R T BELGARD 1989

GARY DONALDSON 1990

ROBERT DUPREE 1991-92

TOM LACOMBE 1993-94

RICHARD BLAIS 1994-96

JACK MORGAN 1997

STEVE KRYWANCZYK 1998 -99

JAMES DEBIEN 2000,01

JOE MACAULAY 2002,03

TIM BEAULIEU 2004,05

JEFF SMALL 2006,07

TOM MACAULAY 2008,09

DAVID WEITZ 2010

TOM MILLER 2011-13

TED KRYWANCZYK 2014,15

BILL KEARNS 2016,17

TIM QUENVILLE 2018,19

PAUL BROWNELL 2020,22

PATRICK OBRIEN 2023,24

TOM MILLER 2025

Fire Queen

1961-62 Vivian Droppo

1962-63 Dwyana Rupert

63-64 Doris Montpetit

64-65 Carol Birmingham

65-66 Barbara Connor

66-67 Jill Ann Wood

67-68 Ann Kelly

68-69 Karen D'Arienzo

69-70 Cynthia Tricase

70-71 Paula Sweeney

71-72 Patricia Kot

72-73 Debbie Deshaise

73-74 Sue Ashley

74-75 Sue Mclean

75-76 Ann Claffey

76-77 Patty Carvile

77-78 Kelly Wright

78-79 Mary Hinds

79-80 Jill Margosian

80-81 Rhonda Smith

81-82 Linda Batterman

82-83 Tracy Ralston

83-84 Karen Ackerman

84-85 Bobbie Jo Lauber

85-86 Lisa Massaw

86-87 Danielle Layo

87-88 Darcy LaRose

88-89 Karla Rupert

89-90 Jennifer Patraw

90-91  TBD

91-92 Lina Marlow

92-93 Kristan Lund

93-94 Tammy Crump

94-95 Katy Avery

95-96 Donnita Furnace

96-97 Maria Mulvaugh

97-98 Amanda St. Thomas

98-99 Alexis Witek

99-00 Renee Barto

00-01 Kara Hudon

01-02 Leigh Carvill

02-03 Erin Corcoran

03-04 Christina Lynch

04-05 Nicole Corcoran

05-06 Brooke Love

06-07 Brittany Danboise

07-08 Brooke Serguson

08-09 Cortney French

09-10 Amber Baines

10-11 Danita Irland

11-12 Emma Dupree

12-13 Sara Tyo

13-14 Bayee Carroll

14-15 Maris Brockway

15-16 Olivia Nemier

16-17 Shanley Burke

17-18 Maegan Morgan

18-19 Alayna Taraska

19-20 Jillian Chapman

20-21 Hayleigh Armstrong

21-22 Emmalyn Taraska

22-23 Isabelle Durant

23-24 Cierra Ladison

24-25 Maddy Hendricks

Frank E. Bailey: Our First Fire Chief

The Massena Volunteer Fire Department was organized on March 12, 1900, with Frank E. Bailey serving as its first fire chief. With a strong commitment to community safety and service, the department has grown alongside the town, adapting to the changing needs of its residents. Today, the dedicated volunteers continue to uphold the department's rich legacy, ensuring that when emergencies arise, the citizens of Massena can count on their unwavering support and expertise.

Get ready for a afternoon filled with live music, laughter, and togetherness. Whether you’re a fan of toe-tapping tunes or just want to enjoy the festive atmosphere, we’ve got something for everyone. Bring your kids, your friends, and your neighbors—


Music Line UP

Norwood Brass Band 3-5pm

6 Foot Midgets 6-9pm

Celebrate our 125th anniversary with a delicious twist! Join us at the Massena Volunteer Fire Department for a fantastic lunch featuring multiple local food trucks. Taste the flavors of our community while we honor our history together—it's a perfect way to enjoy great food and fellowship!


OUR LINE UP

GIdeon's Gally

Taco Time

Little Italy

Come enjoy some refreshing drinks, mingle with friends and neighbors, and honor the brave men and women who have served selflessly through the years. This milestone is a perfect opportunity to share stories, celebrate our history, and look forward to many more years of protecting and serving Massena. Cheers to 125 years!

Bring your kids to the Massena Volunteer Fire Department for a fantastic day of fun! We're excited to offer bounce houses for all ages, guaranteeing smiles and laughter all around. Whether your little ones are bouncing high, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Join us for a day filled with joy, community spirit, and some great summer memories. Don’t miss out on the fun—come make a splash with us!

Gather your friends and join the fun at the Massena Volunteer Fire Department’s Bed Races! It’s the perfect opportunity to team up, showcase your creativity, and race in a wildly entertaining event, all while supporting a great cause. Don’t miss out—sign up today!

SIGN UP

Hey, strong friends! Are you ready to put your muscle where your mouth is? Join us at the Massena Volunteer Fire Department for an epic tug of war contest! Bring your A-game and your fiercest teammates for a shot at bragging rights that will last long after the dust settles. It’s all in good fun, and we can’t wait to see who will take home the glory. Sign up now and let the battle begin!

SIGN UP

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MASSENA VOLUNTEER FACEBOOK

Join us this July as the Massena Volunteer Fire Department celebrates our 125th anniversary! We're excited to take you on a journey through history by sharing fascinating facts, memorable events, and the incredible stories that have shaped our department over the past century and beyond. Don't miss out on this celebration—check out our Facebook account to stay updated and engage with us as we honor our legacy and the community we serve!