The idea for beginning a fire protection agency for the Village of Buchanan was shaped in the year 1939. A group of men met in Rocco Dilio’s residence and discussed the idea for forming a company within the village to provide fire protection. These men were the founders of Buchanan Engine Company No.1 Incorporated. Eugene Bennett, Charles Brenning, Augustus Cole, Arthur Conklin, Howard Conklin, Rocco Dilio, Harold Fredrick, Joseph Michael, Dominick Moretti, Birdsall Travis, Bertram Tomilson and Joseph Vargs. These men worked for years formulating plans and gathering support to start the fire company. In 1939 they went before the Village Board with a request to obtain permission to organize a fire department. At that time the Board gave the men the go-ahead with the stipulation that when they had a fire truck and equipment that passed the Underwriters tests, they would be recognized. 

These men immediately went to work gathering the necessary support to organize the Company. Meetings were held, presided over by Charles Brenning, the first President. The Company was incorporated in the year 1940. So it was that Buchanan Engine Company was born. It was a rough birth, times were hard, equipment and materials were hard to come by, the country was ready to go to war. So with a strong sense of civic pride and bulldog –like determination the men of the newly formed fire company set about the task of building their own fire truck. A 1933 Chevrolet chassis was donated by Floyd Sellick. Several members began building the first apparatus, “The Red Flyer”. Materials for the building of “The Red Flyer” were donated by many residents of the village. The Company’s first headquarters was a rented garage on Bleakley Avenue which doubled as a meeting hall. In 1942 tests were given by the Underwriters. Seventy-eight men responded under the direction of  Frank Shaw, the first Chief, and “The Red Flyer” passed the tests with flying colors.

Since that time, the Company has continued to expand and evolve to provide top quality fire protection to the Village. Here is a timeline of significant events:

1948-First factory built fire truck purchased, a 1948 Dodge 500 gallon pumper.

1951- Company moves from tiny rented garage on Bleakley Avenue to new headquarters building on Albany Post Road.

1961- The Company purchases its largest apparatus yet, a 1961 Mack with a 750 gallon per minute pump. Over the next several years, Self Contained Breathing Apparatus were purchased, a home alerting system was put into place and numerous upgrades to the building were undertaken.

1971- A fire at the old nursing home on Kings Ferry Road lasts eight hours before being put under control with many departments assisting.

1973- The Company receives the Daily News “Vamps Award” for its excellent save at a fire at Da Ro’s Corner Store.

1975- Andy Cody is Chief .GMC Rescue truck is purchased and all of the interior and shelving work is installed by members. This truck would go on to become our first mobile breathing air truck.

1976- The Company and the Village celebrate our Nations Bicentennial. The 1975 GMC rescue truck is put into service.

1977-Lightning strikes a transformer in the Consolidated Edison Transmission yard causing one of the largest blackouts ever.

1978- The Village celebrates its 50^th  birthday.

1980’s- Buchanan Engine is 40 years old. Breathing apparatus were upgraded, all new turnout gear was purchased for the members, and pagers were purchased for the officers, chiefs and engineers. New radios were put in all of the apparatus. An automatic mutual aid plan was put into place with Cortland VAC and the Department would respond to all life threatening emergencies within the Village. We were requested to assist the Troma movie company in the making of a movie at Lents Cove. Westchester County Fire Control becomes our primary dispatch center. In December 1988, a 5000psi Mobile air compressor was purchased.

1990 to Present-Buchanan Engine Company is 50 years old, a dinner dance and a 50^th anniversary parade are held in celebration. Under the direction of Chief Al Roush Jr and with great help from honorary member Peter J. Keefe, members began converting the 1955 Chevrolet into a mobile air truck. The New air compressor was installed along with 4 6000psi storage bottles. This truck, which was built by our own members, brought back the spirit of “The Red Flyer. Many members volunteered hundreds of hours to build the new air truck. Today, after more than a decade of service and thousands of air bottles filled, the truck continues to be a one of a kind, and one of very few that can provide unlimited breathing air.

- After much hard work by Tim Donahue and his committee, the Village board approves the areas first service awards program, establishing a point based incentive to attract and retain members; this program will provide qualifying members with a future pension for there dedicated service to the Company.

-The department’s first  new chief’s car is purchased, Robert Outhouse is Chief.

-A new 1991 Pierce Lance pumper with 6 man cab is purchased, anti-lock brakes, seatbelts for all riding positions and numerous safety features enhance firefighter safety.

-ISO conducts a full review of department records, procedures and capabilities to determine the insurance costs to village residents and businesses. The department passes with flying colors.

-Thanks to Chief John Novohradsky and his committee the nozzle News is brought back into print, providing members with important company information as well as a look at the comedic side of the firehouse.

- Under Chief Andy Roush a 1998 Jeep Cherokee is bought for a second chief’s car, almost 100% of the vehicles cost is covered by donations from local businesses.

-A 1998 Sutphen Rescue pumper is purchased, it features a 50 gallon foam system,1250 gpm pump, slide out compartment trays and a built in Amkus Jaws of Life rescue system.

-A fast moving house fire claims the life of Father Francis Newman, friend to the entire community and the fire service. All of the local departments attend wake and funeral services.

-Remembrance Day Ceremony is held for the first time, led by the Reverend Bob Douty, the ceremony which continues to this day, honors our deceased members.

-A larger, safer boat replaces Marine 26- the boat was donated by a village resident and members volunteer there time to refurbish it. It has modern multi-channel radios and more equipment than its predecessor.

-A Bullard Thermal imaging camera is purchased and placed into service. The camera will greatly enhance the ability of members to save lives and property.

-On September 11 2001, terrorists using passenger aircraft carry out attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania. 343 members of the City of New York Fire Department make the supreme sacrifice and save the lives of thousands of people.

On the evening of the eleventh, Rescue 26 and a full crew respond mutual aid to Manhattan.

The following night, Utility 12 responds mutual aid to the Bronx to assist FDNY. Many members stand ready for several nights on standby crews in case they are needed at what has become known as “Ground Zero”

-Chief Reed Outhouse issues order requiring all members to receive Weapons of Mass Destruction training. The fire service is changed forever.

It is impossible to predict what the future will hold, but the Officers and Members of Buchanan Engine Company No.1 Inc. will always be "Prepared to Protect".