Fowler Rescue & Salvage Company No. 3

Name:  Fowler Rescue & Salvage Company No. 3

Address:  22 Hammond Street, Port Jervis, NY 12771

Phone number:  845 858-4033

Officers: Captain Jerry D. Enright, First Lieutenant Anthony Roberts, Second Lieutenant Randy Aber, President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Chief Driver, Drivers, Fire Police, Alternates to the Department, any others?

Members as of August - 2008:  Roseann Aber, Tammy Aber, Michael Amato, Richard Amato, Stanley Buczek, Clare Clune, Daniel Clune, Donald Clune, Henry Conklin, Jennifer Conklin, Jerry D. Enright, Ronald Eyth, Alexander Grech, Russell Grech, Jr., Kenneth Guinn, Michael J. Hill, Michael Latini, Jr., Charles D. McBride, Michael Nason, George Padgett, Jr., Robert Padgett, Russell Potter, Frederick Prohira, Michael Reilly, Anthony Roberts, Henry R. Roberts, Jeffrey Rohrer, Robert Rombousek, Gerald D. Sacco, Jr., John Sigerto, Peter Sigerto, Mark Thornton, Robert C. Tripp, Jr., Joseph Trotta, Alfred Tufano, Robert Waligroski, Melvin E. Watson, Jr., Anthony Ziffino, Jr., Anthony Ziffino, Sr., Christopher Zgrodek

Vehicle information: RESCUE 823:  199 Simon/Saulsbury, 300 GPM pum, 200 Gal. tank

Specialized Units/Equipment: BOAT 1: 1972 22’ Boston Whaler, 120 HP motor; BOAT 2: 2006 Rescue One, 40 HP motor; TRAILER: High Angle Rescue Team Equipment

Fowler Hose Company No. 3 was organized on Dec. 1, 1856, with 14 charter members and an original “goose neck” engine.  The company was named for Col. Sam Fowler.  Its first foreman was Samuel J. Wood, father of later townsman, Lorenzo D. Wood.  Its name became Fowler Engine Company No. 3 on March 1, 1857.

The company’s “goose neck” engine was abandoned in 1861, owning to dissensions.   It was disposed of to the Matamoras Fire Department, and one of a later pattern was purchased in New York City 1870.

Permission was granted by the Board of Village Trustees to a number of applicants to reorganize the company in 1861.  This action was taken on September 24, 1861 with Stephen Roberts as Foreman.

At a meeting of the Board of Village Trustees on June 4, 1877, Fowler Engine Company No. 3 was disbanded and the company was reorganized under the name of McDougall Hose Company No. 3, in honor of the chief of the department Chief Engineer James McDougall.  When McDougall’s term of office expired the old name of Fowler Hose Company No. 3 was again taken up.

The company served as an engine until it took possession of a rescue and salvage truck in 1954.  At that time it changed its name to the name it retains today, Fowler Rescue & Salvage Company No. 3.

In 1961, a diving squad was officially formed and made part of Rescue 3.  The diving squad, which is now known as the “Water Operations Team”, took possession of a new boat in 2006.  The new boat replaced “The Chilpper H” which was then retired.

The company is now housed with its new white truck in a brick building it shares with Delaware Engine Company No. 2, which until recently also had a white apparatus.  The dual bay firehouse is located adjacent to the Port Jervis Municipal Building on Hammond Street.

History compiled from various sources by Stan & Sharon Siegel – August- 2008