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History When fire totally destroyed the Alfred Hotel on Main Street in 1886, the Village of Alfred did not have a fire department -- only the bucket brigade so common in that era. As a result of this devastating fire, a group of local men formed Alfred's first fire company in 1887, which eventually was to be known as A.E. Crandall Hook and Ladder Company. The company was incorporated in 1890 with Milo Greene ad the first foreman or chief. Almond E. Crandall, for whom the company is named, was a local businessman who gave strong financial support to the company in those early years. He himself was not a fireman. In 1890 construction was started on a fire hall on West University Street, which still stands today and is used for the village offices. It was built almost completely by volunteer labor. The second floor housed an auditorium which was used to stage fund raising events to help pay for the fire hall and the fire equipment. It was also used by the community for social events. In 1898, a 36 inch bell was installed in the tower to summon the firemen when there was an emergency. Although the bell is still in the tower, a siren was placed into use in 1928. The first fire truck, purchased in 1897, was listed as a chemical truck -- probably using an acid-bicarbonate mixture for forcing water through the hoses. This was a man drawn vehicle to which a ladder was later added. Sometime around 1910, a two wheel hose cart was purchased and stored in a shed where the McLane Center currently stands. Although referred to as the Garrione Hose Company, it was part of the A.E. Crandall Hook and Ladder Company. The company's first ambulance was a white Chevrolet truck style vehicle purchased in 1940. In 1968, the Crandall Hooks purchased its first aerial ladder, a Seagraves with a 75 foot ladder. In 1968 the fire company voted in its first female member -- a real rarity anywhere in New York State at the time. Today over one third of the membership is female. As the village grew, so did the needs of the fire company for new equipment and facilities to house it. In 1972, a six bay fire hall was constructed to the rear of the 1890 hall. Again, much of the labor was done by volunteer firemen themselves. On May 24, 1987 over 200 members and guests gathered at Ade Hall on the Alfred University campus to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the A.E. Crandall Hook and Ladder Company. The guest speaker of the evening was State Assemblyman John Hasper, a strong supporter of rural volunteer fire companies. He noted that Alfred's fire service has been "exemplary" and that its emergency medical services were "the peace setter for the region." Anyone who has been a member cannot dispute his assessment. Things have changed dramatically from those early days when six men pulled the fire apparatus to the scene, but the goal has remained the same -- provide the best fire and EMS protection for the village and town of Alfred
Mission Statement: The A. E. Crandall Hook and Ladder Company of Alfred, NY has the duty and obligation to protect the lives and property of the area it serves and to provide emergency medical services for the constituents of its protected area.
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