Binghamton Fire Department

Binghamton's fire department first began in 1834 as a volunteer organization. On May 3 of 1834 the trustees of the Binghamton voted to organize specific engine and ladder. It wasn't until 2 years later in June 1836 that the village was able to purchase their first actual piece of firefighting equipment, a small hand powered fire engine.[3]

The Village of Binghamton was incorporated to City status by the New York State Legislature in 1867. The department became known as the Fire Department of the City of Binghamton on April 23, 1869.[1] The first motorized apparatus, a Cadillac for the Chief of Department, was purchased in 1910.[1]

In the 1950s the population began shifting to the more rural areas of the county. Although the county population was shrinking, the scope of its operation was expanding. In September 1981 the ambulance was transferred from the Police Bureau to the Fire Bureau. In addition to providing ambulance service, a "First Responder" program was initiated. To meet the growing needs of the City, a Hazardous Material Response Team began operating in May 1988. In 1996 the EMS program was upgraded to provide ALS level of service.[3]

The Binghamton Fire Department has a staff of 124 paid uniform fire-fighters and 3 civilian employees.

The Department operates out of 5 fire stations, including the fire headquarters which serves as station 5.[4]

On July 22, 1913 the Binghamton Clothing Company in downtown Binghamton caught fire. It destroyed the Wall Street building in less than 20 minutes,[10] killing 31 of the more than 100 people inside.[11] Though not as deadly as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911, it put even more pressure on New York officials to strengthen life safety codes, increase funding for more inspectors, and increase penalties for violations.[12]

• 1913 Binghamton Factory Fire