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Early History of the Oneida Fire Department
The first volunteer fire company in Oneida, Aegis Hose Company No. 1, was organized in 1849 and served for 24 years, operating with a hand-pumper donated by the Syracuse & Utica Railroad. A fire station on Vanderbilt Avenue was built in 1867, and the company—renamed Oneida Hose Company No. 1—shared it with Protection Engine Company No. 2.
A split in 1869 led to the creation of five new companies, and in 1870 the station was remodeled to house a $600 hook-and-ladder truck from Rochester. In 1876, the Jones Hose Company disbanded and the German Hose Company No. 1 formed, later renamed Citizens Hose Company No. 1.
Before 1883, firefighters relied on the Erie Canal Feeder and cisterns for water until petitions after major fires prompted the creation of the Warner Water Works, the basis of today’s municipal system.
By 1888, the fire companies were incorporated under Chief S.M. Hill, forming a Fire Board that annually elected the department’s chief. In 1895, after the board failed to agree on leadership, village officials ordered Chief Laurel Meader to organize a paid department. The volunteer companies were disbanded, except for German Hose No. 1.
In 1896, the Paid Fire Department was officially established with Meader as Chief, one Assistant Chief, one Fireman, and 35 Call Firemen. The department answered 19 fires that first year.
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