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Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Company, inc.

Serving Queensbury Since 1949

The Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., established in 1949 to prevent the loss of lives and property, is one of five fire companies that serve the town of Queensbury, NY. BRVFC is directly responsible for Eastern Queensbury but serves the entire town through mutual aid relationships with the remaining town fire companies.

Our members are specially trained in fire supression, vehicle extrication, water and ice-surface rescue, wildland search-and-rescue, and hazardous materials incidents. BRVFC is also a first-response agency, responding to medical emergencies to assist ambulance crews. Additionally, we have a duty to serve our community through fire prevention education and supporting health and wellness initiatives of our citizens.

Our members have diverse backgrounds- some are engineers, while others are law enforcement officers. Some are highly trained 40-year interior firefighters, while others are retired, serving as fire police to assist fire ground operations to the extent they feel comfortable. At Bay Ridge, we have a spot open for you, no matter the level of participation you feel comfortable with.

HIstory

1949: The Founding
After the City of Glens Falls was no longer able to provide fire protection for the town of Queensbury, the people of the town became aware that they needed to establish their own fire departments.

In the early weeks of 1949, a group of local residents met at the Mohican Grange Hall on the corner of Sunnyside and Ridge Rd (Oneida Corners) to organize. By March, Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Company, inc. had been chartered. Its first Fire Chief was Benjamin Bardin and the first company President was Charles Sicard. Within the first year, the company had about 60 charter members.
The 1950's
The first piece of apparatus was a World War II surplus "crash truck" - a four-wheel-drive, 500-gallon, high-pressure truck nicknamed Molly - which was well suited for the rural area.

In 1954, the company built a new station across the street from the original station. The total cost of the station was about $22,000 (about $244,000 today).

In 1958 a 750-gallon-per-minute engine equipped with a 500 gallon water tanks was delivered. In addition to the fire protection needs, the area needed a rescue squad for the protection of life. Bay Ridge was donated a Packard hearse by the Potter Funeral Home that it converted it into an ambulance.
The 1960's
In the 1960’s the population growth required the department to add a rescue truck to its apparatus. The truck housed a variety of gear that could be used in rescue situations in the mountainous terrain.

In 1968, the department's growth required more space and there was an addition made to the truck room.

In 1969, a new 1000 gpm John Bean Pumper was added to the fleet and the Rescue Squad saw its first professionally built ambulance, which replaced the Carry-All.
The 1970's
Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Company joined in the modern trend of using radio communications. The company purchased a radio alerting system and radios for the chiefs and pumpers. The addition of radios to the units helped the department communicate between units, the station, and other mutual aid fire departments.

Also, the rescue squad purchased a new $17,000 ambulance with one of the first radios to communicate with Glens Falls Hospital. The company purchased a 1973 GMC for its rescue truck.
The 1980's
With the continued growth of the region, Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Co. opened station number #2 on Glen Lake Road in 1988. Station #2 housed two pumpers (320 and 324) and a tanker.
The 1990's
In 1993, the need to separate the rescue squad from Bay Ridge Vol. Fire Co. became evident. The Bay Ridge Rescue Squad (now Queensbury EMS) was founded the same year, with their station being built around the corner from station #1. The groups continue to work together as they respond to calls for service from the community.

In 1995, Engine-Rescue 323, a 1995 KME Custom Rescue Pumper was put in service. An Avon inflatable rescue boat was also purchased to bolster the company's water rescue program.
The 2000's
The 21st Century brought many changes to BRVFC. In 2002, BRVFC opened a single $1.75 million firehouse constructed at 1080 Bay Road. It has 10 apparatus bays. The station also has a meeting room, kitchen, day room, radio room, workout room, and various offices. The firehouse is the polling station for its district, houses a boy scout troop, and is used for other community purposes.

In 2002, Brush 121, a Ford F550 Super Duty 4x4, was purchased to combat wildland fires where heavier pumpers were unable to go. In 2005, Engine-Tanker 324, was acquired: a 2005 American LaFrance Eagle with an 1800-gallon water tank and a Hale 1250 GPM Pump.
The 2010's
In 2010, Bay Ridge welcomed Engine Tanker 322, a 2010 Pierce Velocity Engine-Tanker. This piece features a 2,000 gallon tank and a 2,000 GPM pump. It is the company's primary mutual aid pumper due to its high water capacity and its compliment of Firefighter Assist and Search Team (FAST) equipment.

In 2016, Rescue 123, a Ford F-550 with a Rosenbauer Rescue Body, was put in service. It is now the primary first-response vehicle.

In 2014, Bay Ridge Vol. Fire Co., realizing the ever growing demand for modern equiptment, installed a solar array on the northern side of its property to reduce operational costs and focus more of its resources on serving the community.

In 2016, BRVFC welcomed Engine-Rescue 323, a Rosenbauer Commander Rescue Pumper. This piece is our primary response pumper for structure fires, vehicle accidents, and hazardous materials incidents.
Today: The 2020's
Today, BRVFC is evolving faster than ever. We now respond to over 700 calls per year and have mutual aid relationships with 12 fire departments in 3 counties.

In 2021, Rescue 124, a 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500 with a custom utility body, was purchased to replace Rescue 120. The piece hosts a compliment of both EMS and fire equipment, as it is used as am multi-purpose vehicle.
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Significant Events

The Harris Fire

November 10, 1959

In 1959, the Bay Ridge community was struck with one of the most devastating fires in Queensbury’s history, the Harris Fire. AT 6:40am on November the 10th, the home of Charles Harris in Jenkinsville caught fire. Even with help from surrounding communities, Charles Harris, his wife and six children perished. The company and the auxiliary created a fund to help with the funeral expenses of the family, and the remainder of the fund was donated to the WWARC.
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