Defender Hose Company No. 1
Defender Hose Company No. 1, organized in October 1895, is the third oldest fire company in Rockville Centre, serving our community for 128 years.
Our company got its name from the schooner “DEFENDER” which won the America’s Cup just prior to the organization of the company. Its skipper,
Henry Haff, was invited to visit us, which he did in 1898, and he was made an honorary member. He presented us with a photograph of the ship that still hangs on our wall. We have resided on South Centre Avenue since we were formed. Our original building was what, at the time, was the Village Hall where the Village’s incorporation papers were signed in October 1893.
The first piece of apparatus used by the company was a hand drawn hose cart. Today, we serve you with a Spartan E. R. V. pumper. Our active membership consists of 44 members, ranging in age from 18 to 89 and service time ranging from one month to 70 years. Eleven of our members have distinguished themselves by serving as Chief of the Rockville Centre Fire Department. Four more served as First Assistant Chief of the Rockville Centre Fire Department. One member, Joseph Treccasi, went on to serve as President of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York and several other regional organizations.
We take pride in our service to the community in past years, and each year we continue our training and education to better prepare ourselves for today’s emergencies. We thank the residents for the past support and look forward to providing dependable service to our community in the future.