Hook and Ladder Company Celebrates 75 Years

On Saturday evening, the Briarcliff Manor Hook and Ladder Company celebrated its 75th year of service with a reception and commemorative exhibit at the Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough ’s space in the lower level of the .

Hook and Ladder memorabilia including historic photographs, firemen’s gear, manuals and documents were among the items on display.

“We felt it would be appropriate to put together an exhibit both for the community, which we serve, and for ourselves,” said Hook and Ladder President Howard T. Code. “The company approached the Briarcliff Manor and Scarborough Historical Society about housing the display in their facility and they were more than happy to do it.”

The began in 1901 and the Hook and Ladder Company came into existence in 1936, when membership increased in the Briarcliff Fire Company and a New York State law limited the size of a company’s membership.

The Company’s first meeting, which took place on Oct. 6, 1936, had 17 members. Today, there are 42 active members.

Since its inception, the company has had four different trucks, starting with the 1930 American LaFrance Ladder Truck, the 1956 Mack Truck with a 75-foot ladder, the 1981 Seagrave, with a 100-foot ladder, and their current 2005 KME with a 95-foot tower ladder with an aerial platform.

Members of the company participate in regular trainings, equipment maintenance and recruitment of new members. Trainings include monthly company drills, mandatory New York State which take place at the Elmsford Fire Training Center and the Ladder Operations Course.

“When you get the occasional fire call, the chiefs have a right to expect that our members know how to carry out the orders that are given and that the equipment works,” said Code.

In addition to the refreshments and exhibit, those who attended Saturday's reception were greeted with remarks by Code and other company members.

“Memories fade, members move away or pass away, documents can get lost or destroyed and history itself starts to fade away,” said Code. “We felt it would be important to recollect who we are and who we have been.”

The exhibit will be on display through Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Briarcliff Manor Historical Society space located on the lower level of the Briarcliff Manor Public Library.