History

Volunteer departments have a storied history in the U.S., dating back to days when we were still ruled by kings and queens. The fire service was one of the earliest forms of mutual aid. Margaretville’s department was formed in 1887, first as Thomas Winter Hook and Ladder Company. Soon it became Excelsior Hook and Ladder and was joined by the Pakatakan Hose Company. The names reflected each department’s duties. (As names go, back then volunteer firefighters were called “vamps.”)

Some years there were no calls. Now we average between 100 and 150 annually. Before there was a county-wide 911 system, Margaretville had fire phones. You’d call “2828,” and six phones across the village would ring – whatever the hour.

To join you also had to be within hearing distance of the air-raid siren. Those days are gone. We have pagers, radios, apps on cell phones, and text messages – all ways to heed the call. But, the siren still serves a purpose. It lets people know that an emergency is taking place. Because most of us drive our own vehicles, other drivers can be on the lookout for us. The siren helps too for people to know how often we are called out. Our service can be anonymous, and many have talked about how hearing the siren ringing in the middle of the night prompted them to join.