Cherry Grove Fire Dept - Cherry Grove Archives Collection

CHERRY GROVE FIRE DEPARTMENT

CGFD is a fully volunteer department responsible for emergency responses in the Grove.

Each of our community members who have volunteered since the first “bucket brigade” was formed in 1947, have played a vital part in building an amazing unit of firefighters, officers and commissioners that all help to keep Cherry Grove safe 365 days a year.

From fighting fires and assisting in medical emergencies, to handling downed power lines and holiday crowd control, the Cherry Grove Fire Department is kept busy, having firefighters on-call from the moment they step off the ferry, until they leave.

Their commitment and dedication to our communal safety is not only admirable, it’s needed.

Living in an environment that is vulnerable to so many emergency conditions, it is imperative that our Fire Department continues to be a thriving team of volunteers willing to put in the hard work of training and are always ready to risk their own lives to save others.

With over 75 year of service, the Cherry Grove Fire Department has a rich history.

Before we had the siren that we are all accustomed to hearing today, the way to sound the alarm for an emergency was a series of large steel rings that were strategically placed all around town. Pounding a hammer would produce a loud sound that traveled, so everyone could hear it.

Once our automated siren was installed the old rings were discarded, and years later one would be rediscovered in a garden on the westside. It was brought back to be displayed in the location of the original fire house (attached to the back of the Community House), where you can visit it today, and give the gong a hit with the mallet to test the powerful sound of the first fire alarm.

YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY

The tiny fire station attached to the Community House would eventually move next door and before long the CGFD would outgrow the small one-story property it inhabited. In 1993 it was decided that a rebuild was in order, but it was not going to be easy. They would have to raise the existing building onto pilings in the bay, in order to build a foundation which would allow for a two floor structure. In 1995 the top portion (originally the bottom) would be moved back into place, giving volunteers much needed space for training and storing equipment.

When the CGFD began the “bucket brigade” it was very primitive compared to the resources the fire fighters have in the twenty-first century. Even though things are still on a rather small scale, they pack a lot of power and efficiency into the customized vehicles in use today.

The first Fire Department members would have responded to the gong alarm by wheeling a cart with hoses from the Fire House to the location, tap into the nearest well (at the end of each walk) and then they would have to pump water onto the fire.

Through the years the CGFD would fashion fire engines from small vehicles, but in the last decade a series of new engines and pumpers have been specially designed for our unique beach environment of narrow boardwalks, large crowds of visitors and dense housing.

Queen Charity Charles showing her support for the troops 🙂

Andi Porzio on a more advanced engine, circa 1990.

TRAINING

The Cherry Grove Fire Department has spent decades perfecting the process of preventing large scale fires in our community with trained volunteers who are skilled in their practice and a well developed network of hydrants, locally based fire fighters, multiple hose houses that are stocked with equipment and specialized response vehicles.

At a moments notice, one of the CGFD fire fighters can be in action and extinguishing flames, thanks to the vital equipment stored within the hose houses at the end of each walk in Cherry Grove.

PREPARE FOR ANYTHING

In order to provide the firefighting and emergency services that our community needs, all of the CGFD volunteers must complete intensive training to learn the proper way to use the equipment, how to effectively battle blazes and provide medical services. This training is a constant process which all CGFD members must maintain every year they volunteer.

Special (and highly dangerous) drills are constructed to mimick fire conditions experienced in homes, cars and public spaces.

CGFD volunteers also have access to classes for leadership, as well as preparing to be chief or a fire officer.

CGFD officers training at the Suffolk County Fire Academy in Yaphank.

Andi Porzio and Doreen Rallo.

LISTEN to an audio clip from Doreen Rallo, who has been part of the CGFD since the 1990s.

Since the CGFD began in 1947, it has been a Fire Department that was unlike any other in New York.
The Department has always had both women and men being volunteers and able to serve as equal members.
The CGFD continues to strive for inclusion and acceptence for all.

LISTEN to an audio clip from Fire Dept volunteer Kai Davis, talking about their experience being part of the CGFD over the years.

"GET THE WET STUFF ON THE RED STUFF"

It can be as simple as a trash fire on the boardwalk to an entire hotel being burnt to the ground, CGFD keeps our community safe from the smallest fires to be biggest blazes.

Fortunately there have not been many massive fires over the years, but we have had our fair share of tragedy since the CGFD was incorporated in 1947.

Duffy’s Hotel was destroyed by fire in 1956, the Copa/Sea Shack burnt down in 1980, both Michael’s Restaurant in 2001 and the Grove Hotel (along with several nearby houses) in 2015, were completely consumed by devastating fires and had to be rebuilt.

The CGFD not only responds to emergencies in Cherry Grove, they also battle blazes in the Carrington Tract (the Meat Rack) and assist on calls from neighboring Fire Island communities.

LISTEN to an audio clip from Fire Chief Steve Williams explaining how the “hose sheds” were set-up to enable our fire fighters to extinguish blazes more effectively.

FUNDRAISING

The CGFD is funded by taxpayers, but the fundraising done by the volunteers helps to provide additional community services...and its also a very fun way to interact with visitors and residents.

Whether giving out red stickers to all those that put a cash donation into a big rubber boot or orchestrating community events, they make fundraising FUN.

Boot Drives and Pancake Breakfasts have been events that the community looks forward to each season, and it gives everyone in the Grove a chance to show how much we appreciate our hard working Fire Department.

WE ARE FAMILY

The Cherry Grove Fire Department has always been a passionate group of volunteers that care about protecting the place that they love and call home (even if only for a few months a year).

Since the CGFD began in 1947, it’s been a Fire Department that is unlike any other in New York, always having both women and men volunteers, who are able to serve as equal members.

The Fire Department is proud to say that Grove resident Lyn Hutton was the first female NY State Fire Chief and Joan Van Ness was the first Board certified woman Safety Officer in New York.

Another advantage to the Cherry Grove Fire Department is the fact that it is an intergenerational team of volunteers, who work on many levels to keep the department thriving and advancing.

The department offers its members a chance to help the Grove, but also to express parts of themselves that they may not have been able to in the past because of discrimination based on gender or persuasion.

The CGFD continues to strive for inclusion and acceptance for all.

LISTEN to an audio clip from fire fighter Kai Davis about the bonds formed in the Cherry Grove Fire Department.

THANK YOU

Cherry Grove has eternal gratitude for all those that have served on the Fire Department, past and present…and those who are no longer with us will always be remembered for their dedication and service to our community.

Cherry Grove Fire Department 2025.