About Us and History

The following history of the Deerfield Fire Company that started in 1890’s can be found on Chapter 10 as written in
“Deerfield NEW YORK – A Glimpse into the Past” by Virginia C. Loin:</em >

About 1890, a volunteer fire company was organized in the southern part of town. In 1895 Peter Schilz, Jr. erected a
building on Coventry Ave (Deerfield Corners) for a town hall and for the use of the Deerfield Fire Company, of which
he was a member. The 1857 hose carriage of the old Utica Tiger Hose Company was housed in this framed building. The
owner of each dwelling, store, or workshop was required to keep one or more leather buckets hung nearby for the sole
purpose of extinguishing fires.

Prior to the river straightening, the Deerfield Fire Company held a meeting to discuss their future course as to
whether they would remain in existence and work for the city for a time, or disband and become a part of the town.
Nothing definite was decided except to hold a special meeting with Mayor Smith of Utica, at which time they agreed to
help in the fighting of fires until the new bridge over the Mohawk River was built.

In November of 1917 the Utica Dire Department extended its operation to North Utica and became Engine 10, using the
building formerly occupied by the Deerfield Volunteers. From 1917 to 1949, Deerfield relied on Utica for help in the
southern end and looked to other surrounding communities for fire protection in the other parts of town. The “bucket
brigade” was planned and widely used, since this was the quickest method to fight a fire and used extensively in the
rural areas.

The pride and ambition of each fire company was to be the first to reach a fire and be most efficient in putting it
out. The firemen had a great love for this endeavor. They would leave their businesses, dinners, or anything else and
rush for the engine. The firemen paid all their own expenses for social activities and for painting, repairing, and
decorating the equipment. The volunteer firemen of the past, as well as the present, have many stories to tell of
heroism, danger, triumph, joy, and death. If a fireman saved a life, he would not think of himself but considered it
an act “in the line of duty”

Today, the people of Deerfield have reason to be proud of their Volunteer Fire Company. Every man (and now women)
volunteers their time and risks their life to protect the citizens of our town. In addition to fighting fires, the
Company responds to inhalator-resuscitator (now known as EMS) calls, lost persons searches, flooded cellars, and
assist other town departments in Oneida County (and Herkimer County) Mutual Aid System.

The following excerpt was authored by Gary DeStefanis, Sr. (current member of DFD):

The Deerfield Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. 1949-1997

The present Deerfield Volunteer Fire Company was organized on May 17, 1949 at a meeting called by a group of town
citizens interested in organizing a volunteer fire company. This meeting was at the “Town Shed” (barn) and was chaired
by Dr. Samuel Singer. These dedicated Deerfield residents realized the need to provide fire protection for the growing
town. In September of 1949, incorporation papers were competed and filed with the State of New York in Albany.

The original Deerfield Firehouse was located in a barn, donated by Dick Jiampietro, on Miller Road near the
intersection of Davis Road. During the early stages of the organization various options for fire apparatus and
equipment were studied.

On August 2^nd, 1949 the first pump, an Army surplus centrifugal pump with a 6 cylinder marine engine,
mounted on a trailer was purchased for the cost of $300. On September 20, 1949 a GMC chassis was purchased and
delivered to Jim Rockino, a fireman who agreed to guild this first fire truck for a cost of no more than $5,020
including equipment. This truck, the original Deerfield 801 pumper, was delivered on January 6, 1950. The Deerfield
Volunteer Fire Company #1 Inc. responded to its first call on February 2, 1950 at 6:15 AM. This was a tractor trailer
fuel oil tanker on Trenton Road, near the Niagara Mohawk Power station.

In 1952 the Deerfield Fire District #1 was established which permitted taxes to be collected to equip and maintain the
department. A group of five Fire Commissioners were elected by the townspeople to oversee the purchase and maintenance
of fire fighting equipment and facilities to hose them. The Board of Fire Commissioners, still in existence today, has
been composed of many town citizens who receive no compensation for their many hours of dedicated service. This board
has consistently and effectively used the tax dollars wisely to purchase, maintain, and house fire fighting equipment.
Past Fire Commissioners can be seen on the Fire District webpage.

The Deerfield Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. and the District presently operates out of two firehouses. The Roberts Road
station (now designated “Station 2”) was built in 1953 on land donated by Bruce and Alice Folts. This station was
constructed by the volunteer firemen for the cost of $500. It consisted of a one-stall garage and housed one piece of
apparatus. Through the years, with additions and alterations by both the fire district and fire department, the
building has expanded and houses three pieces of apparatus (Currently an Engine, Tanker, & small Rescue).

Due to the increasing town population, the Trenton Road Fire Station was built in 1954. Upon completion the only one
truck was transferred to this location. The station originally consisted of a two-stall garage which faced Trenton
Road, along with a meeting room, kitchen, and fire district office. In 1975-76 this building was expanded to its
present state with a four bay station facing Firehouse Road. This expansion was competed at a minimal cost to
taxpayers with the help of BOCES students. Now designated as “Station 1”, here is housed x2 Engines, EMS Rescue,
Squad, and Retired 802.

Being 100% volunteer means that at any given time there may not be anyone manning the fire stations; therefore, a
means of notification of fire or emergency had to be devised. Originally a phone call was made to Anthony Iacovino’s
John Street garage initiating a pyramid telephone calling system. A call was also made to Domser’s Dairy on Trenton
Road, at which time a siren activated to alert volunteers. In more recent times a fire phone system was established
placing emergency phones into several homes and businesses throughout the town. These phones were capable of
activating the large sires at both stations. Later they also activated the new radio paging system. Most recently the
fire phone system has been retired and replaced with the more common “911”. Oneida County system is able to activate
all the firefighters pager & radios as well as activate the firehouse sirens.

Through the years, many pieces of firefighting apparatus have been obtained by both the fire district and the
volunteers:

The firefighters of the Deerfield Volunteer Fire Company Inc. have been and will always be a proud group of
individuals from the Chief down. Currently, the department is comprised of over 70 active members and over 30
associate members. They respond to fire, medical emergencies, rescues, and other emergency service calls when citizens
of the Town of Deerfield and surrounding communities are in need. They do this at any times of the day and night, in
all types of weather, at times, risking their own lives without any compensation whatsoever. Each individual attends
many hours of special training courses in fire fighting, emergency medical services, and rescue.

Through the years, the volunteer firefighters of Deerfield have responded to all types of emergencies most of which
have resulted in lives and property saved. At times however, some situations resulted in the loss of lives and
property. Some of the more challenging fire calls were barn fires, for example, the Hobin barn fire on Cheese Factory
Road, and the Brown barn fire on Steuben Road. Firefighters spent more than 24 consecutive hours at these fire scenes.
The Iscovino barn fire on Smith Hill was exceptional due to the difficulty of getting water to the scene and, at the
same time, fighting a second fire at the Deerfield Tavern on crooked Brook Road. Both of these fires were in the
non-hydrant district of town. The fire company has responded to many motor vehicle accidents through the years, many
of which occurred on Trenton Road – Route 12 and Walker Road/Route 8, some of which were fatalities. In recent years
the fire company has been fortunate to have many firefighters trained as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and
Paramedics. Along with updated medical equipment, this has greatly increases life saving capabilities at any type of
medical emergency.

The Volunteer Firefighters of Deerfield have sponsored many fund-raising activities over the years. Originally, they
consisted of dances, scrap and paper drives, pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners, and raffles. Currently DFD
sponsors chicken barbecues, fund drives, Field days, and the famous Lenten and Fall Fish Frydays, are especially well
received by all who attend. Proceeds from these events are used to aid the department in its civic functions as well
as the purchase of fire, EMS, and rescue equipment. The annual Halloween Party, fire prevention demonstrations for
Deerfield school student, the annual high school scholarship award, and the traditional visit from “Santa” riding the
fire truck through-out the town, are all funded by these proceeds. The fire department proudly provides sponsorship
and funding for many youth organizations such as Cub Scout Pack 59, Boy Scout Troop 59, Explorer Post 59, a Girl Scout
Troop, along with several youth sport organizations

In 1985 the members of the Deerfield Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. purchased the parcel of property adjacent to the
Trenton Road firehouse that was originally part of the Weaver Estate. The acquisition of this property, along with the
new Firemen’s pavilion, restrooms, and the Firemen’s training facility, enhanced the Fire Company’s capability in
hosting its various fund raising events, training classes, and community functions.

The Deerfield Fire Company “Hosebusters” Drill Team has been very active for many years with Firematic drill team
associations of Oneida County, Northern New York, and New York State. The “Hosebusters” have been comprised of many of
the firemen volunteers throughout the years. They are proud to be able to pass the name Deerfield across the state by
hosting an annual motorized drill during our June Field Days and also the NYS Motorized Championship Drill and Parade
in 1988, 1996, 2002, 2006 & coming in 2014. These state championships events not only brought in teams from
throughout NYS, but also thousands of spectators and millions of dollars of revenue during their week long stay in
both Oneida and Herkimer Counties. The drill team competes throughout the summer moths in foot motorized drills. They
compete in both Class B (fire truck) and Class C (hose tender) motorized events.

Another very important entity to the DFD is the Deerfield Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. This group is not only
comprised of wives, daughters, mothers, and sisters of the volunteers, but also many other dedicated women of the
community who come to the aid of the firefighters whenever needed. They provide support at major fires and emergency
scenes as well as at many fund-raising and community events sponsored by the fire company. The annual Scholarship
Award is originated by the auxiliary and has since become a joint venture with the fire company.

The members of the Deerfield Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., Deerfield Fire District #1 Board of Fire Commissioners, and
the DFD Ladies Auxiliary are all extremely proud of their history. Providing the best fire protection, rescue,
emergency medical response, and the community service is a commitment they all share.al