The history of our department

We began serving our community.

1947 International K5 - 500 Gallon General Detroit

In front of the station on Front Street.  
( The station later being the site of the hotel which suffered a devastating fire in February 2022, and the remains of the building completely removed in June 2025 )

The First class of Fire Fighter Training School held in St. Lawrence County.

Photo was taken in Old Canton High School.

The class was led by Jim Doyle ( bottom row, extreme right ) around 1952.

Rensselaer Falls Volunteer Fire Department marching in the Heuvelton Fire Department Labor Day Parade in the late 50's.

This is in front of the old Howard Backus Grocery Store and the prior site of the Heuvelton Post office at the corner of Lisbon and State Streets.

Pictured - ( as listed on photo, but added to make names searchable )
Morris Gordon
Claude Palmer
Bob Chappin
Donald Hammond
Morrison Dowe
Charles Palmer
Ralph Hammond
Curt Hammond
Doug Streeter
James Chase
Clifford Poor
Richard Callahan
Everest Swartsfigure
Simeon Palmer - Chief
Morris Griffith

A little fundraising back in 1964.

On July 22nd 1972, the old schoolhouse was burned down to make way for the new ( 3rd ) fire station, that is still in use today.

July 10th, 1979  
Rural News gave the front page to Rensselaer Falls Fire Department to mark the burning of the mortgage on June 30th.

The plans were to pay the building off in 13 years, but it was accomplished in only 7 years.  

Built in 1972, the building is still the home of the department so many thanks go out to all that were involved.

We celebrated 100 years of service.