Binghamton Fire Department


The Binghamton Fire Department is the fire department providing fire protection and emergency medical services to the city of Binghamton, New York.

Binghamton Fire Department
Operational area
Country United States
State New York
CityBinghamton
Agency overview[1]
Established1834
Annual calls9,108 (2012)
Employees119 uniformed
2 civilian
StaffingCareer
Fire chiefDaniel "Eagle" Eggleston
IAFF729
Facilities and equipment[2]
Stations5
Engines2
Platforms1
Quints2
Squads1
Ambulances3
HAZMAT1
Website
Official website
IAFF website
Binghamton Fire Station # 2
Binghamton Fire Department ambulance 7121.

History

Binghamton's fire department first began in 1834 as a volunteer organization. On May 3 of 1834 the trustees of the Binghamton voted to organize specific engine and ladder. It wasn't until 2 years later in June 1836 that the village was able to purchase their first actual piece of firefighting equipment, a small hand powered fire engine.[3]

The Village of Binghamton was incorporated to City status by the New York State Legislature in 1867. The department became known as the Fire Department of the City of Binghamton on April 23, 1869.[1] The first motorized apparatus, a Cadillac for the Chief of Department, was purchased in 1910.[1]

In the 1950s the population began shifting to the more rural areas of the county. Although the county population was shrinking, the scope of its operation was expanding. In September 1981 the ambulance was transferred from the Police Bureau to the Fire Bureau. In addition to providing ambulance service, a "First Responder" program was initiated. To meet the growing needs of the City, a Hazardous Material Response Team began operating in May 1988. In 1996 the EMS program was upgraded to provide ALS level of service.[3]

Overview

The Binghamton Fire Department has a staff of 124 paid uniform fire-fighters and 3 civilian employees.

The Department operates out of 5 fire stations, including the fire headquarters which serves as station 5.[4]

Stations & Apparatus
Address Engine Company EMS units Truck Company Other units
1 259 Conklin AveEngine 21-1EMS 21-1[5]
2 180 Main StEMS 21-2Quint 21-2[6]
3 39 W. State StEMS 21-3Quint 21-3HazMat 21[7]
4 176 Robinson StEngine 21-4EMS 21-4 & Ambulance 7123[8]
HQ 38 Hawley StEMS 21-5, Ambulance 7121 & Ambulance 7122Tower Ladder 1Squad 1, Car 21 & River Rescue Boats[9]

1913 Binghamton Factory Fire
Main article: 1913 Binghamton Factory Fire

On July 22, 1913 the Binghamton Clothing Company in downtown Binghamton caught fire. It destroyed the Wall Street building in less than 20 minutes,[10] killing 31 of the more than 100 people inside.[11] Though not as deadly as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911, it put even more pressure on New York officials to strengthen life safety codes, increase funding for more inspectors, and increase penalties for violations.[12]

See also

References
  1. "Department Overview". City of Binghamton New York. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  2. "Stations & Apparatus". IAFF Local 729. Archived from the original on 16 February 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  3. "Department History". IAFF local 729. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  4. "Fire Department Overview". binghamton-ny.gov. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  5. "Station 1". IAFF Local 729. Archived from the original on 25 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  6. "Station 2". IAFF Local 729. Archived from the original on 25 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  7. "Station 3". IAFF Local 729. Archived from the original on 25 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  8. "Station 4". IAFF Local 729. Archived from the original on 25 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  9. "Headquarters". IAFF Local 729. Archived from the original on 25 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  10. Garber, Lauren (April 25, 2010). "Local firefighters remember factory fire of 1913". wicz.com. WICZ-TV. Retrieved 2010-12-03.
  11. "Binghamton, NY Factory Fire Kills Fifty Workers". Middletown Daily Times-Press. July 23, 1913. Archived from the original (reprint) on July 11, 2011. Retrieved 2010-12-03.
  12. "The fire at Binghamton" (PDF). The New York Times. July 24, 1913. Retrieved 2010-12-03.

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