History
Through the years, the fire company has grown with the community. Upgrading our facilities and equipment to better server our community and protect our firefighters is an ongoing effort. We are always always striving for quicker response times as well compliance with NFPA, & OSHA safety standards. The list below highlights some of the milestones the Malta Ridge Volunteer Fire Company has achieved throughout its history.
1948: A Malta Town meeting unveiled the
inadequacies of the existing fire protection plans. A charter was
applied for and approved and incorporation papers were filed. The
Charter membership of the Malta Ridge Volunteer Fire Company
totaled 68 members. The Charter members purchased a 1928 American
LaFrance Pumper and received a small utility truck.
1949: A Quonset Hut was purchased to house the
engine and tanker trucks.
1953: A 1944 four-wheel drive truck was purchased.
1954: The Malta Ridge Volunteer Ladies Auxiliary
was formed.
1955: The Fire Police unit was formed.
1957: A new Tanker Trunk was purchased.
1956-58: Additions including a kitchen, restrooms and a
meeting room were constructed in the Quonset Hut.
1964: A New Ford-Howe pumper, the pride of the country
at the time, was delivered. The firehouse was extended 16 feet to
house the new truck.
1966: A parcel of land south of the firehouse was acquired
to allow for future expansion.
1967: A committee was formed to study and plan for a new
firehouse.
1970: The Fire Company moved from the old Quonset Hut into
its new station. The Quonset Hut was donated to the Town of Malta
Highway Department.
1979: The company leased a garage on Dunning Street while
construction was completed on a new station on Route 9. The new
station was completed in October. The company then had two fully
operational firehouses.
1981: An additional used pumper truck was purchased. The
old 1957 pumper truck was replaced with a new one.
1988: A new engine-tanker was purchased to replace the 1964
pumper. A new rescue truck was purchased to help with the increased
number of motor vehicle accidents and structure fires.
1989: A new brush truck was purchased.
1992: Construction started on a new firehouse
(currently Station 1).
1993: A new engine-tanker was purchased to replace the used
one previously purchased.
1994: The first floor truck bays and offices were completed
in the new firehouse.
1996: The new Firehouse was completed and an open house was held to
introduce the station to the community during the July 4th weekend.
A picnic pavilion and storage shed was built on the company’s
property off I-87 Exit 13.
1998: The Malta Ridge Volunteer Fire Company celebrated its
50th anniversary. An awards banquet celebrated 50 years of service
from Ernest Kunz, Ernest Melander and Michael Czupil.
The company also purchased a used 50-foot water tower and ladder truck
and completely refurbished and repainted each for less than 10
percent of the cost of a new truck.
The Malta Ridge
Volunteer Fire Company has answered thousands of calls of all types
over the years and responded to many homes, businesses, vehicle fires, and
grass fires. We have responded to mutual aids calls to neighboring
communities for emergencies needing additional men, equipment, or
both. Our responses are a testament to the active involvement in the
safety and protection of our community and represent the commitment
of our volunteers who continue to build upon what was conceived over
fifty years ago. We salute our
founding fathers
for the foresight and contributions.
Company Historian - Oswald Blow