First
Life safety
Occupants, bystanders, and the crew. Nothing outranks getting people out and keeping them out.
How it started
It took a fire to start a fire company
Founding history
In 1923 a fire destroyed several businesses in Ghent, and made it plain the town needed fire protection of its own.
In November of 1924 the first group of nineteen men — then known as The Ghent Fire Protectors — voted to build the first firehouse, which opened in 1925, followed by formal state incorporation as Ghent Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Inc. in 1928.
More than a century later (103 years since that 1923 fire), the job has widened well beyond fighting fires to managing hazards of every kind. What has not changed is who does it: your neighbors, unpaid, on call.
Pride of the fleet
The story of our 1928 American LaFrance
Bought new in 1928, sold in 1950, and rescued from an irrigation farm in 1957.
Living heritage
Traded back for a Chatham ladder truck
In 1928, the company officially incorporated as the Ghent Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Inc. and purchased this American LaFrance pumper for $5,600.
The pumper served Ghent for over twenty years before being sold to the Stephentown Fire Company in 1950. In 1957, Ghent member Harry Dunham spotted the old rig being used for irrigation on a Stephentown farm.
Determined to bring it home, Ghent members each chipped in $10 to purchase a retired hook-and-ladder truck from Chatham for the swap. The trade succeeded, Engine No. 1 returned home, and following careful restoration, it proudly serves today in parades and civic ceremonies.
Through the decades
Moments in our community history
A look back at the people and apparatus that defined Ghent across the generations.
Chatham Fair
Gov. Rockefeller at the Fair
New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller dons a Ghent "Chief 1" helmet in the passenger seat of Engine No. 1 during the fair in Chatham.
Fleet evolution
Apparatus through the eras
Generations of Ghent response apparatus assembled on Route 66, tracing the company's growth from open-cab pumpers to modern engines.
Community parade
Labor Day Assembly, 1982
Company members gathered with the department banner — reflecting the dedicated volunteers who carried the torch through the 1980s.
Leadership
Past Chiefs Honored, 1982
Department leadership gathered at the annual banquet to honor the chiefs whose direction and stewardship guided Ghent through emergency service across the decades.
Centennial
A Century of Service
Marking 100 years since the 1923 Ghent fire that brought neighbors together to organize town fire protection.
Station 1 Today
2230 Route 66 at Dusk
Our modern four-bay firehouse and community hall on Route 66, housing five frontline response units around the clock.
Line of duty memorial
In honor of Captain William E. Akin Jr.
Remembering the ultimate sacrifice given in service and protection of the Ghent community.
In memoriam
Captain William E. Akin Jr.
Captain Akin served as an officer in the Ghent Fire Police, providing vital traffic control and responder safety at emergency scenes throughout Columbia County. He gave his life in the line of duty while protecting his fellow firefighters and community members.
Captain Akin is permanently enshrined on the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and on the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Albany. His sacrifice remains an enduring part of our company's heritage.
Our mission
Three priorities, in this order
Every decision made on a fireground answers to this sequence. The order never changes.
Second
Incident stabilization
Stop the emergency from growing — confine the fire, control the hazard, secure the scene.
Third
Property conservation
Limit the damage that follows. Salvage what can be saved once the first two are met.
- The desire to serve
- The courage to act
- The ability to perform
Our heroes
The people behind the people
Every emergency response depends on the families, auxiliary members, and elected officers who keep Station 1 running.
Service, Rehab & Community
The Ghent Ladies Auxiliary
During extended structure fires and extreme weather calls, the Ladies Auxiliary responds with hydration, hot coffee, food, and firefighter rehabilitation support, and leads community dinners and fundraisers throughout the year.
Thank you
Members' families
Thank you for your patience and understanding — for the dinners gone cold, the events missed, and the nights the tones went off anyway. Nobody on this department serves without their family serving too.
Honoring the spouses, parents, and children of Ghent volunteers since 1923 (103 years of service).
Leadership
Line Officers & Governance
- Fire Chief · Car 1 Wally Engel
- 1st Assistant Chief · Car 2 Bud Lamarre
- 2nd Assistant Chief · Car 3 Rick Juliano
- Captain Phil Korologos
- 1st Lieutenant Tristian McAlice
- 2nd Lieutenant Boden Paladino
Line officers and Board of Directors meet on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:30 PM at Station 1.
100% Volunteer · People Always Needed
Answer the Call — Join Ghent VFC No. 1
Whether you want to fight fires, drive apparatus, direct traffic as Fire Police, or support rehab and events, we provide all gear and NYS training at $0 cost to you.
$0 Cost Free Gear & Training
No Shifts Respond When Available
All Roles Fire, Driver & Support
Tax-Deductible Community Support
Support Your Volunteer Firefighters
Every dollar stays in Ghent to fund turnout gear, rescue tools, and firefighter safety. Give online with 0% fees via Zeffy or mail a check:
Contact
Find us
Firehouse
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P.O. Box 32
Ghent, NY 12075