Mineola Fire Department Company No. 1 Celebrating 125th Anniversary

The history page of the Mineola Fire Department begins:

On December 8, 1888, a group of men met in a school house on Willis Avenue to discuss the formation of a volunteer fire department in Mineola. Three weeks later, on Christmas Day, Mineola Hook and Ladder Company #1 was formed. The subscription committee reported $96 had been pledged to support the new company.

"The village wasn't even incorporated then," Mineola Village Trustee and fire department member Paul Cusato said. "The fire house was on main street near the railroad tracks."

In 2013 the department will be celebrating the 125th anniversary of Mineola Fire Company No. 1, with a series of events planned throughout the remainder of the calendar year.

On Saturday, August 17 the department is planning a gathering with invitations sent to every member who has served in the company. Cusato said that there are approximately 50 members of company No. 1 in service and have been about 227 members since the time of former Mineola Deputy Mayor John DaVanzo, who joined the department in 1947, and is the oldest living member of the company.

When company No. 1 was first formed, there were 23 members present at the first meeting on Feb. 8, 1889

"Just a quick barbecue," Cusato said, "almost like a high school reunion of sorts."

The barbecue will begin at 1 p.m. with a casual atmosphere. Greeting the attendees is a new banner which was hung up on Sunday morning outside the firehouse on Jericho Turnpike noting the anniversary.

Cusato said that a Christmas event is planned as well, but did not have details at the present time.

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