Bellport FD
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Fire Headquarters
When organized in 1893, the department operated from the original firehouse which is still preserved today (see photo below). In 1937, Fire Headquarters was built with the original firehouse moved to the rear of the property where it housed apparatus with the second floor being used as a recreation room. In 1975, when a major renovation of Headquarters was undertaken, the original firehouse was moved one block South to its' present location and continued to house apparatus. Headquarters was updated again in 2007 which included two truck bays, upstairs offices, a kitchen renovation and an elevator. Present day, the Bellport FD operates with an active force of forty five volunteers providing Fire and Rescue (including Water/Ice/Dive) protection to a waterfront residential area of 5-6 square miles answering 325 alarms annually.
Original Firehouse/Fire Museum
The original firehouse housing the department's 1893 hand drawn ladder cart, it was moved to the rear of the property in 1937 when the current headquarters was built where it housed apparatus with the second floor being used as a recreation room. In 1975 when a major renovation of headquarters was undertaken, it was moved one block South to its' current location where it It continued to house active rigs until construction was completed. Following that, the department's three antique rigs were stored there while the upstairs became a fitness center for the department's members. When the fire district purchased the former South Country Ambulance Company building behind the headquarters parking lot, the fitness room was moved there and three members renovated the upstairs of this firehouse to become the department's own museum which opened in July of 2021. Present day, it houses the their 1893 hand drawn ladder cart, 1935 and 1943 antique rigs as well as an active reserve brush truck.
Ladder 5-1-13 - 2002 Pierce Dash 95'/2000 gpm/300 gal.
Originally a demonstrator, it is equipped with several crosslays, 900' of 5" LDH supply line, truck company tools and a Stokes basket.
Rescue 5-1-7 - 1994 Freightliner FL-80/American Eagle 250 PTO/300 - Rescue 5-1-7 (Retired) - 1989 GMC/BFD
The former Rescue 5-1-7 was constructed by the fire district mechanic (also an ex-chief) by mating a 1989 GMC 4 door chassis from the local dealership with the body that formerly served a dept. in Northern New York. Upon the current rescue 5-1-7 being placed into service, it was reassigned for the department's water/ice rescue team. The current rescue originally served South Berkeley, West Virginia (where it was painted Forest Green) and features a diesel generator, 6,000 watt light tower and cascade system. Entering service in ???? after being refurbished with new paint, SCBA seats and other upgrades, it is equipped with Hurst® e-Draulic battery powered extrication tools
and air bags.BellportFreightlinerAmerican EagleHeavy RescueWet RescueGMCDept BuiltLight RescueDive RescueWater RescueRetired
Brush 5-1-12 - 1972/1996 AM General/Dept. Built 450 gpm/600 gal.
Constructed in-house by Ex-Chief/District Mechanic George Van Schaick, Teddy Hermus and Chet Arthur Jr., the design of this rig was utilized by several smaller departments on the East End of Long Island that built their own stumpjumpers in-house following the Sunrise Wildfires in 1995 (the second largest fire in New York State history).
Brush 5-1-12A ('Lil Animal) - 1967 Jeep Kaiser/Dept. built 350 gpm/280 gal.
One of twins acquired in the 1980's from the Bayonne, New Jersey military depot, this rig was originally a soft top supply truck and was converted in-house. Its' twin was sold to the Farmingville FD (also in Suffolk County) where it was converted from being a snow plow in to a mini stumpjumper similar to this rig. Interestingly enough, a personal friend of the district mechanic/ex-chief who converted this rig later acquired the other rig from Farmingville and restored it back to a soft top military truck. Present day, the 'Lil Animal operates in active reserve service.
Antique - 1893 Gleason & Bailey
The department's original apparatus, it was ordered from Gleason & Bailey Manufacturing Company of Seneca Falls, New York a a cost of $350.00 (the funds for which were raised through ice cream socials and other events). It was repainted in 1908 and later restored during 1972-1973 by Ex-Chief Bill Hermus and Ed Reynolds along with assistance from other members of the department. Mrs. Emily Rich Underhill repainted the flowers while Mr. Ben Savage did the striping, lettering and gold leaf. Present day, this pristine antique ladder cart is transported to firematic events in its' own trailer.
Antique - 1935 Chevrolet/American LaFrance
As was a common practice, the Chevrolet chassis was purchased from a local dealer and sent to American LaFrance to have the body built. It served in frontline service until being retired in 1968.
Antique - 1941 Ford/1943 Buffalo Fire Appliance Co. 500 gpm/175 gal.
Acquired through government surplus in 1947, this rig originally served the Mason State Hospital in Brentwood (Long Island) during World War II. Operated by the federal government during World War II, Mason State Hospital consisted of both Edgewood and Pilgrim State Hospitals which reverted back to their own respective facilities following the war with Pilgrim State Hospital later becoming a psychiatric treatment facility. Featuring a rotary gear pump, the booster reel was added at a later time with this rig serving until retirement in 1978.
