WEBBSMILLSFIRE.COM

The Webbs Mills Volunteer Fire Department located in Pine City, NY was the first Fire Department in the Town of Southport. Organized November 27, 1933, the department has a rich history of protecting their home community. Before the organization of the Webbs Mills Fire Department the communities closest Fire protection was about 20 to 30 minutes away in the City of Elmira, and before they would respond to the scene the homeowner would have to guarantee to pay 50 dollar charge.

The First piece of apparatus purchased by the department was a 1919 Reo foam truck, The truck was kept at the Cassidy residence which was two houses from Earney Black's Mill who was the driver of the fire engine.

In the center of the little community of Webbs Mills, on the east side of the road, stood an iron frame, from which hung a huge metal ring. The mechanism, which never failed to arouse interest and curiosity of motorists, was an important phase of Webbs Mills civic life, for it was the first means of notifying the men of a striking the drive wheel from an old locomotive, which was known as the "gong". This rim came off an old locomotive driving wheel, five feet in diameter which was secured from the Pennsylvania Railroad. Franklin J. Hollenbeck and his brother George, from castings made in a shop on the Hollenbeck's property, built the metal frame from which the rim gong was hung. The gong was located at Frazer's store, which was across from the Cassidy garage, which housed the truck. According to Robert H. Black of the Webb Mills Fire Commission, "When you hit the rim with that sledge, you could hear a mile in any direction." That mile was all that was required, for the territory served by Webbs Mills apparatus takes in just that area. The LaFrance truck had a siren but in was a resounding blow on the old locomotive wheel rim that called forth Webbs Mills firemen. The gong now hangs next to station #1.

The Webbs Mills Fire Department was incorporated on May 26, 1948. At this time, station #1 which had two bays was built on the property owned by Charles Satterlee. In 1949 the company purchased the deed for the property for one dollar. In the following years three more bays were built along with a meeting hall, radio room, kitchen, members room, and a chief’s office.

The department now operates out of two separate stations. Station #1 located on Pennsylvania ave, housing a main engine, brush truck, heavy rescue, and a bls truck. Station #2 is located on Dutch Hill road, housing a second due engine, and a tanker.

In 2005 the department welcomed a younger force of junior firefighters aged 8 to 15 who receive training from experienced members of the department. The department was introduced to the internet by launching their very own website in April 2006 known as www.webbsmillsfire.com,also releasing many recruitment videos on youtube created by “First Due Productions and Websites”. In 2007 the Department celebrated their 75^th year of pride and dedication to the community of Webbs Mills. In 2008 the department received a AFG grant for new equipment to help keep the community safe.

Today the department has 50 active responding members. Members are trained in Firefighting, Basic Life Support, and rescue. In September 2007, the star gazette released a story about the Department, and its membership, due to the fact some departments are having problems keeping a membership. "We try to make it interesting and build self-esteem. We're competing against Xbox and skateboarding," -- Jason Halm “You have to be more creative nowadays to attract the folks because there are lots of other opportunities and if you don’t, you’re out of luck.”