| Fire Patrol Company No. 1 |
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The Fire Patrol Company No. 1 is the last of the Line Companies to be formed in the Babylon Fire Department. Its
charter meeting was held on January 5, 1931 when seven interested and concerned men formed a unit that would
provide a greater measure of safety, survey, and surveillance at fire scenes. The charter members were Edward
Ward - Captain, Charles Gaffga, Joseph Ford, E.H. Southard, Ellis Wilmont, W. Pearsall and N. Pearsall. Initially, a
minimal age of 25 was required to join the company. This company by-law, which fostered a "more mature"
membership lasted until 1975 when the age requirement was reduced to 18.
The first vehicle provided to the Fire Patrol was the REO truck formerly used by the Electric Hose Company No. 4.
This truck was used to transport men and equipment to emergency scenes and other incidents. The primary duties
were traffic control, maintaining fire lines, and assisting other companies, including support duties delegated by the
Officers of the Department.
In 1935 a Diamond "T" truck, fitted with floodlights and a portable generator was delivered. At this point, the character
and purpose of the Patrol was established. This apparatus served well for the next twenty years. During this period
the company members provided lighting, crowd control, traffic direction, and an added level of safety for our firefighters
and civilians alike.
From 1953 until 1979 a Ford Motor Company truck equipped with large incandescent floodlights served as the
company's vehicle. This apparatus provided powerful lighting, was equipped with ventilation equipment, auxiliary tools,
and salvage equipment for additional operations. In 1975 the truck was equipped with Scott Air Packs. Fire Patrol
responsibilities were expanded with these additional capabilities, a trend that continues. In addition to allowing for
more effective appraisals and attacks at fires, the Fire Patrol could now play a more active role in incident operations.
In 1979 the Fire Patrol petitioned and defended successfully, the belief that a new truck was needed and deserved. In
August 1980, a 1979 GMC Grumman-built, 4-wheel drive utility style truck was purchased for the company. The
vehicle was equipped with floodlights, generator, compressor, and a Scott-Air cascade system which allowed for
SCBA units to be re-filled at an incident, extending the operating time for firefighters. This allowed for increased
interior search and fire suppression capabilities for the whole department.
In 1982 a Hurst tool complete with hydraulic pump, spreader and ancillary parts was provisioned. 1-2-7 now carried
the "Jaws of Life" and was capable of performing extrication operations. The members trained hard and competed in J.
O.L.T. to hone their skills. The Company’s primary role had slowly morphed from one of incident control, lighting and
salvage to that of an active heavy rescue unit.
With expanded rescue operations in mind, an order for Vetter air bags was placed in September of 1986. The units
were delivered, members trained and the equipment was put in service by November of 1986. This equipment enabled
1-2-7 to respond to and support lifting operations such as collapses, heavy vehicle, and even railroad accidents. In
1989 large fire extinguishers were installed on the rear tailboard of 1-2-7.
In 1993, the Fire Patrol successfully petitioned the Board of Wardens for a replacement for the GMC. After several
years of committee work by dedicated members of the company, the current apparatus, a 1997 Saulsbury Heavy
Rescue Truck was delivered to the Fire Patrol in April of 1998. The truck is equipped with a 10-Man Crew Cab, a
9,000 Watt telescoping quartz light tower, a 12.5 KVA PTO Generator, an Inflatable Rescue boat with outboard motor,
an on-board air supply for pneumatic tools and boat inflation, and a full compliment of rescue equipment and tools.
The Fire Patrol has become the Heavy Rescue unit that responds as a Truck Company to all incidents, but is first due
at special technical operations. The company takes pride in this role and trains aggressively to maintain their expertise.
Since 2002, 1-2-7 has seen many new equipment additions including, a basic life support bag, a stair chair, a new
Hurst "O"-cutter, a gas powered chain saw, a Class D extinguisher, new Scott 4.5 Air Packs, and a new Hurst Air bag
system consisting of five various shaped inflatable bags, controller, hoses and accessories. In addition to the time
spent training and responding, the company spends time researching and investigating new rescue techniques and
tools to ensure our response abilities meet the latest needs of the community.
The Fire Patrol Company No. 1 continues its tradition of dedication, hard work, and willingness to accept new
responsibilities in support of our brother companies and the communities we serve.
charter meeting was held on January 5, 1931 when seven interested and concerned men formed a unit that would
provide a greater measure of safety, survey, and surveillance at fire scenes. The charter members were Edward
Ward - Captain, Charles Gaffga, Joseph Ford, E.H. Southard, Ellis Wilmont, W. Pearsall and N. Pearsall. Initially, a
minimal age of 25 was required to join the company. This company by-law, which fostered a "more mature"
membership lasted until 1975 when the age requirement was reduced to 18.
The first vehicle provided to the Fire Patrol was the REO truck formerly used by the Electric Hose Company No. 4.
This truck was used to transport men and equipment to emergency scenes and other incidents. The primary duties
were traffic control, maintaining fire lines, and assisting other companies, including support duties delegated by the
Officers of the Department.
In 1935 a Diamond "T" truck, fitted with floodlights and a portable generator was delivered. At this point, the character
and purpose of the Patrol was established. This apparatus served well for the next twenty years. During this period
the company members provided lighting, crowd control, traffic direction, and an added level of safety for our firefighters
and civilians alike.
From 1953 until 1979 a Ford Motor Company truck equipped with large incandescent floodlights served as the
company's vehicle. This apparatus provided powerful lighting, was equipped with ventilation equipment, auxiliary tools,
and salvage equipment for additional operations. In 1975 the truck was equipped with Scott Air Packs. Fire Patrol
responsibilities were expanded with these additional capabilities, a trend that continues. In addition to allowing for
more effective appraisals and attacks at fires, the Fire Patrol could now play a more active role in incident operations.
In 1979 the Fire Patrol petitioned and defended successfully, the belief that a new truck was needed and deserved. In
August 1980, a 1979 GMC Grumman-built, 4-wheel drive utility style truck was purchased for the company. The
vehicle was equipped with floodlights, generator, compressor, and a Scott-Air cascade system which allowed for
SCBA units to be re-filled at an incident, extending the operating time for firefighters. This allowed for increased
interior search and fire suppression capabilities for the whole department.
In 1982 a Hurst tool complete with hydraulic pump, spreader and ancillary parts was provisioned. 1-2-7 now carried
the "Jaws of Life" and was capable of performing extrication operations. The members trained hard and competed in J.
O.L.T. to hone their skills. The Company’s primary role had slowly morphed from one of incident control, lighting and
salvage to that of an active heavy rescue unit.
With expanded rescue operations in mind, an order for Vetter air bags was placed in September of 1986. The units
were delivered, members trained and the equipment was put in service by November of 1986. This equipment enabled
1-2-7 to respond to and support lifting operations such as collapses, heavy vehicle, and even railroad accidents. In
1989 large fire extinguishers were installed on the rear tailboard of 1-2-7.
In 1993, the Fire Patrol successfully petitioned the Board of Wardens for a replacement for the GMC. After several
years of committee work by dedicated members of the company, the current apparatus, a 1997 Saulsbury Heavy
Rescue Truck was delivered to the Fire Patrol in April of 1998. The truck is equipped with a 10-Man Crew Cab, a
9,000 Watt telescoping quartz light tower, a 12.5 KVA PTO Generator, an Inflatable Rescue boat with outboard motor,
an on-board air supply for pneumatic tools and boat inflation, and a full compliment of rescue equipment and tools.
The Fire Patrol has become the Heavy Rescue unit that responds as a Truck Company to all incidents, but is first due
at special technical operations. The company takes pride in this role and trains aggressively to maintain their expertise.
Since 2002, 1-2-7 has seen many new equipment additions including, a basic life support bag, a stair chair, a new
Hurst "O"-cutter, a gas powered chain saw, a Class D extinguisher, new Scott 4.5 Air Packs, and a new Hurst Air bag
system consisting of five various shaped inflatable bags, controller, hoses and accessories. In addition to the time
spent training and responding, the company spends time researching and investigating new rescue techniques and
tools to ensure our response abilities meet the latest needs of the community.
The Fire Patrol Company No. 1 continues its tradition of dedication, hard work, and willingness to accept new
responsibilities in support of our brother companies and the communities we serve.
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