HomeMy WebLinkAbouthistory of central assoc 1893 1976 firemens association_0005CENTRAL NEW YORK FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION
` removed 6 Kegs of blasting powder from the third story of Baggs and Company Hardware Store when
the store was enveloped in smoke and flame.
After a vote on the site of the 1897 Convention, it was awarded to Waverly. Some of the
subjects discussed at the annual meeting were: "Chemical Engines," "Shall Fire Drills be Instituted in
Public Schools," and "First Aid Injuries at Fires." The association was honored by being made a
member of the International Congress of Firemen in Brussels. Earlville Fire Department joined the
association thus being the first Company from Madison County to become a member. The Waverly
Fire Police also joined making them the first Fire Police organization to become a member.
An invitation to hold the 1898 Convention in Cortland was accepted by the Board of Directors.
F. M. Baker was replaced as President by E. W. Hyatt of Homer who had been Secretary from 1893 to
1898. Mr. Baker received the honor of becoming the first life member of C.N.Y.F.A. as a past
President.
The Seventh and Eighth Annual Conventions were held at Ithaca in 1899 and Auburn in 1900.
Percy L. Lang of Waverly, who served as Secretary for one year and Treasurer for three years, was
voted a life membership, becoming the first member other than a past President to receive this honor.
There was no convention held in 1901. Thus, the 1902 event held at Moravia was listed as the
9th Annual. Ithaca's Frank C. Cole was elected President, with past President E. W. Hyatt becoming a
�^ life member. The By -Laws were changed stating that the Annual Convention would be held in the
month of July between the 15th and 30th.-
From
0th:From 1902 to 1915 the association kept growing and in 1916 there were 87 member Companies
with 135 individual members. Convention sites and Presidents for this time period were: Homer
(1903), Lestershire (1904), Coming (1905), Ithaca (1906), Cortland (1907), Owego (1908), Hornell
(1909), Auburn (1910), Waverly (1911), Ithaca (1912), Cortland (1913), Auburn (1914), and Coming
(1915). Presidents included D. S. Mersereau of Union (1903-04-05), E. A. Tilton of Waverly (1906),
F. Cox of Homer (1907-1908), W. T. Parker of Moravia (1909), James L. Murphy of Ithaca
(1910-1914), and S. W. Smyth of Owego, 1915 and 1916. The 1916 Convention held in Seneca Falls
had as the President, S. W. Smyth for his second term. Dr. Julian Smith from Union was elected
Treasurer, an office he held for 18 years until his death, on November 14, 1934. Onondaga County
was admitted into the assoFiation with the Skaneateles Fire Department becoming the -First Company
to join.
Due to the war, the 1917 Convention was postponed and only a meeting of the Officers and
Board of Directors was held in Cortland with T. J. Murray of that city as President.
The 25th Annual Convention was held in Cortland with W. R. Riley elected as President. Winners
of the parade were: Best appearing Fire Company, Binghamton Exempts; Longest distance, Waverly
Hook & Ladder No. 2; Best piece of fire apparatus, Conger Hose & Chemical Company, Groton and a
tie for Best School Band between Groton and Homer. Winners in the Hose Races were: Hose
Race—Climax Hose Company of Marathon; Hub & Hub—Eureka Fire Company No. 4, Ithaca; and
Hook & Ladder—Waverly Hook & Ladder Company.
Historian .............. FREDERICK D. TODD
7 Salo Drive
2 Trumansburg, N.Y. 14886