Franklin Square & Munson Fire Department Engine Co. 1 turns 100

The 1923 Kalb Hotel fire marked the beginning of rapid suburban growth in Franklin Square and the birth of what would become the Franklin Square & Munson Fire Department Engine Co. 1.

A century later, the company is celebrating its centennial of serving the residents of Franklin Square.

The first fire company — the Franklin Hook and Ladder Co. #1 of Munson — was established in 1907, which consisted of a horse-drawn cart with ladders and buckets. 

Fast-forward 16 years, a turning point for the humble firehouse was the devastating Kalb’s Hotel fire in January of 1923. Strong winds contributed to the blaze and residents came to the hotel to help build a bucket brigade.

Although their efforts were strong, they were no match for the elements and the hotel burned to the ground.

“It was the main business in town,” said Paul van Wie, of the Franklin Square Historical Society. “So after that fire, people who lived around New Hyde Park Road and Franklin Street decided to form a fire company.”

The locals held a meeting at the Monroe Street School and began organizing the fire company themselves by raising money, getting incorporation and buying fire equipment.

Some of the organizers traveled to Suffolk County to acquire an old fire hose and materials to build a vehicle

The firehouse was built on Hempstead Turnpike, just west of Madison Avenue, which still stands today, van Wie said.

“They did it all without the help from government, these were real volunteers,” van Wie said. “It was really something the way they did it.”

Fire Chief Joseph Gerrato said the firehouse recently hosted a casino night fundraiser at the firehouse to raise money for the official July 23 centennial celebration at the Plattduetsche Park restaurant in Franklin Square.

Former members, current members, their families and elected officials are welcomed at the event. Gerrato said there are senior members flying in from other parts of the country for the special evening.

“It’s amazing knowing that we were the originators of the community,” Gerrato said. “We got to try to keep some traditions alive and teach the new people coming in because a lot of people don’t understand the legacy of how we started.”

Many prominent names, families and businesses seen as “pillars” in the Franklin Square community were established by the Franklin Square & Munson Fire Department Engine Co. 1, Gerrato said.

The department’s legacy came from leaders like John Rath, who served as the first department chief of the from 1927 to 1929 — Rath Park on Fenworth Boulevard is named after him. The Hoffman family operated many establishments in the community.

Van Wie, who grew up in Franklin Square, said he knew many of these men who started the chemical company personally, including William Hoffman, who he described as a “community minded” person.

The fire department also played a role in the evolution of the small farming area of Franklin Square in 1923 to the suburban community of over 30,000 people it is today.

Van Wie said the needs of the Franklin Square community changed radically, but the fire department manages to keep and serve its residents.

“When you look at the dedication of our firefighters, that culture was handed down from the founders of the department,” van Wie said. “They represented the very best in Franklin Square and that has been handed down to the men and women of today, which is great.”