What we have been told and through investigative research about firefighting in Kensico, the early days of firefighting in Valhalla existed, nothing more than families getting together and throwing buckets of water on the fires in order to extinguish them.      From what we have found out the first organization of firefighting in Valhalla came when the New York City Mounted Police arrived to protect the reservoir and the construction of the Kenisco Dam. The only way anyone knew there was a fire then was by the people running and yelling fire.      The first fire alarm was made of a section of railroad track bent into a circle and hung from a tree branch. When someone saw a fire they would run to it and hit it with a large hammer. This would alert the townspeople of a fire. This came to be known as the Fire Bell, which still stands in front of Valhalla Fire Company No. 1 on the corner of Legion Drive and Entrance Way. People responding to the alarm would find a water source such as a stream or well, fill buckets and pass them along a line of men, women and children. This was known as the Fire Bucket Brigade.      Eventually the two Fire Companies were formed and filed with the Secretary of State, a request for a Certificate of Incorporation that officially brought them into existence. Why there are two fire companies is really unknown. Rumors from family disputes, to nationality conflicts were handed down through old timers telling stories, but no evidence has been found to collaborate these stories. Although, the fire companies were separate when a fire alarm was sounded, the two companies put their differences aside and worked together as a team. Today, Valhalla still has two fire companies and are known as the Valhalla Fire Department. Andrew Campbell, who ran a gas station in the village of Valhalla, was the first Chief, a position held until he resigned in 1932. The official designation was known as “Chief Engineer”. The two companies became known as Independent Fire Company of Kensico Station, a Rescue and Ladder Company and the Valhalla Fire Company No. 1 that provided water at a fire scene known as the Engine Company. Both companies have an essential job to perform to make fighting a fire as safe as possible.      Original record-keeping was minimal. The first recorded fire was on June 2, 1902 at the house of A. Verson. Under the command of Captain Dimiarest, there was little that could be done, resulting in a total loss of the building, estimated at $7,000.00. The fire department had only four Officers, a Captain and one Lieutenant from each company. Houses did not have street addresses, unlike today everyone knew each other in the town so firefighters went by peoples’ names or the property they owned. Example: “A fire along the reservoir would be called in as a fire on the Water Shed property.” Most buildings burned to the ground primarily due to primitive fire procedures and building construction. As time moved on, firefighting became a science and a profession.      The Engine Company used a 1911 Hand Pumper that was Valhalla’s first piece of firefighting equipment. This was state of art in its time and a big move forward for Valhalla Fire Company upgrading from buckets to buckets to the Hand Pumper. But when the Fire bell would ring, not only would the townspeople come running with buckets, but the men would run to the firehouse located at 14 Cleveland Street, hookup the horses and drive to the fire scene. They would find a water source, put a hard suction hose from the new hand pumper and connect a soft hose to the discharge side of the Hand Pumper. Four to six men would line up on both sides of the Pumper, grab the long handles and begin pumping. Water would pass through the Pumper into the soft hose and put out the fire. This Hand Pumper is still in existence at the Archville Fire Department. They purchased the Pump from Valhalla in 1911 for Seven Hundred Dollars.      As technology grew, firefighting moved forward into motor driven fire trucks. This was not much more than what they already had, except they did not have to hook up or care for horses anymore. (Trivia: Do you know why Dalmations are known as Fire Dogs? Answer: Dalmations did not like horses so they would run next to the horses and nip at their feet, making the horses fun faster.)      A monumental year was 1926. The Valhalla Fire District was formed and proved highly beneficial to the fire companies. Since the responsibility to purchase new equipment relied heavily on the fire companies, bazaars were held at the Kensico Dam Site raffling off pigs, chickens, turkeys, goats and going around house to house asking for donations. With a Fire District now in place, they would establish a budget that was voted on by the taxpayers of the District each year. The first official Budget that was put before the voters, was in 1930, amounting to close to $12,000.00, with only 11 taxpayers voting, with 8 for the budget and 3 opposed. It was passed and now the Fire District has the authority to purchase and maintain fire trucks.      The Valhalla Fire Department kept on growing with the times. In 1949, the Independent Fire Company recognized the need to build a new firehouse with a two-bay garage, which is currently located at 14 Columbus Avenue, moving from a barn at 73 Cleveland Street. The Independent Fire Company has kept up with the needs of the community and expanded their new firehouse many times to what it is today.      Valhalla Fire Company No. 1, after seeing what the Independent Fire Company had done, agreed that upgrading was also needed, and moved from 14 Cleveland Street, to its newly built quarters at 1 Entrance Way, in 1953. This new building was much larger and could accommodate more vehicles.      It was a sad day for the Valhalla Fire Department on the 25th day of March 1952, when firefighter Burt Lorenz stepped off the fire truck and was struck and killed by a car. Fortunately, there was not been another Valhalla firefighter killed in the line of duty,      Many men and women have passed through the Department in the 100 years, contributing their time and knowledge to the cause. Many sons of firefighters have joined the ranks, following in the footsteps of their father. Since 1902, it is estimated that over 1000 volunteers from both companies, became members; some staying only a few months, while others gave their all and stayed on for 50 years or more.      Valhalla Fire Department has a present membership of 75 firefighters and can accommodate an additional 35 members. Today’s technology has driven the Fire Service to a higher level of education and training. Thus, each firefighter receives on a continual basis, extensive education and training. An example: A new volunteer must complete eighty hours of training prior to becoming an interior firefighter.      As the Fire District grew, so did the need for more fire trucks. Coming from the horse and buggy equipment days, with buckets to form a Fire Bucket Brigade, to three First Line Pumpers, one Heavy Rescue Truck and one 75 foot Tower Ladder, Brush Truck and three support vehicles. All of these fire apparatus carry state of the art fighting and rescue equipment.      In 1989, the Fire District opened a third firehouse on Columbus Avenue at the north end of the District, in order to cover the expansion of Columbus Avenue and the north end of the Fire District. One First Line Pumper and three support vehicles are located at this firehouse, in addition to offices of the Fire Commissioners and Chiefs. Thanks to the support of the community, we have come a long way in 100 years.