Mamaro Engine & Hose Co. No. 1 History
Brief History of Mamaro
Mamaro Engine & Hose Company was organized November 13, 1890, at a meeting in the rooms of the Taylor Fife and Drum Corps in the Britt Building, which was in the Village Square, on the site of the present Sewer Disposal Plant. Eighteen charter members joined that night. Until then, the Hook and Ladder Company which was organized in 1884, took care of the Fire Protection needs in the community.
Mamaro’s first piece of equipment was a two-wheel hand drawn Hose Cart known as a “Jumper.” If a trolley car happened to pass on the way to a fire, the Jumper was attached to the rear of it for as long a stretch as possible to make time and save strength.
The By-Laws printed by late Ex-Chief Ray Baxter and adopted in December 1890, among other things indicated that the fire alarm signals were strokes on a gong designating 10 rapid strokes followed by 4 strokes as Mamaroneck—10 and 2 Rye Neck—10 and 6 Orienta—10 and 8 Weaver Street. On arrival in these various areas the firemen had to look for the fire.
The first fire following organization of Mamaro was in Orienta. The company did not respond because there was no water.
Later on August 26th, 1892 Mamaro gained on of its earliest recognitions for good work at a disastrous fire in Orienta for which Orienta residents gave the company a purse of $500. With this money, the company purchased a four-wheel hose carriage, horse drawn.
Following the incorporation of the Village in 1895, a steamer was provided by the Village and in January 1906, a more modern Hose Cart was purchased. On November 18, 1917 the first piece of motorized equipment was provided.
As of November 13, 1965, the company had two of the most modern pieces of motorized apparatus and for many years the membership had been 65—the maximum allowed under New York State Law.
The Mamaro Firehouse on Palmer Avenue was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies, the evening of Thursday, February 20th, 1913. It has since been taken down so that a new one can be erected in its place, joining Mamaro in the new VMFD Headquarter building will be the Hook and Ladder Company.
Much more could be written about Mamaro, but let it suffice by stating that the wonderful spirit, enthusiasm, determination and willingness to serve our Village that was engendered November 13, 1890 has prevailed throughout the 118 year period and is at a high pitch today.