Our Company - Millwood Fire Company

Milestones & Timeline

1924

Founded After the Railroad Station Fire — Lightning struck the Millwood Railroad Station, prompting a dozen families to establish the Millwood Fire Company. The first apparatus, a 1924 Brockway chemical pumper, was purchased, and Station #1 was built on land donated by the Orser family on Route 120.

Early Years

The Bell & Early Dispatch — Alarms were sounded by striking a Steam Locomotive drive wheel (still on display at Station #1). Fire reports were called in by telephone to ten locations, triggering the air horn at Station #1.

Modern Era

Station #2 Opens on Route 134 — The company expanded with a second station to better serve the growing district. Electronic sirens and 911 dispatch replaced the older notification systems.

Today

100+ Years of Service — Approximately 40 active volunteer firefighters respond to 400+ alarms annually from two stations. The fleet includes engines, a tanker, a ladder truck, a heavy rescue, a mini-attack, a UTV, marine units, and special operations trailers.

For over a century, the Millwood Fire Company has stood as a pillar of safety for Westchester County. Established in 1924, we are a 100% volunteer organization dedicated to protecting the lives and property of nearly 7,000 residents across a diverse 10-square-mile district.

Our coverage spans the hamlet of Millwood and portions of Chappaqua, Ossining, and Briarcliff. From residential neighborhoods and local schools to regional infrastructure like the Taconic State Parkway and major water filtration plants, our members are the first line of defense.

Professional Service, Volunteer Heart

Our "membership corporation" is comprised of approximately 40 dedicated neighbors who leave their jobs and families at a moment's notice to answer the call.

High Call Volume: We respond to over 400 alarms annually, including structure fires, motor vehicle accidents, and life-threatening emergencies.
Saving the Community: Our volunteer model saves residents millions of dollars in taxes each year.
Lowering Costs: Through tireless training, we have achieved an ISO Rating of 3/3Y, significantly reducing insurance premiums for local homeowners.

Advanced Fleet & Specialized Operations

Operating out of two stations, we maintain a modern fleet equipped for any terrain. Because parts of our district lack fire hydrants, we utilize Tanker 15. Tanker 15 plays an important role in protecting Chappaqua and Millwood from residential, brush, and motor vehicle fires where hydrants are not available.

Our specialized apparatus includes:

Fire & Rescue: A 75' Ladder Truck, multiple KME and Sutphen Engines, and a Rescue-Engine (Rescue 36) equipped with full hydraulic extrication tools.
Off-Road & Marine: A newly added Polaris UTV with a Fire/EMS skid for brush fires and off-road rescues, plus two marine units for water-based incidents.
Special Ops: Dedicated utility vehicles and a Haz-Mat/Traffic Control trailer.

Join the Tradition: We Need You!

Learn More & Join!

The Millwood Fire Company is actively growing and always looking for new members ready to take a step forward for their community. No prior experience is necessary—we provide all state-approved training and equipment.

Ways to Get Involved:

Active Firefighting: Available to anyone age 16+ in good health.
Junior Corps: A specialized program for youth ages 14 to 16.
Additional Support: Opportunities are also available through Associate Memberships and the Ladies Auxiliary.

Make a difference in your community today. Whether you are looking for a way to give back or seeking a new challenge, there is a place for you in our fire house.

Notable Locations in our District

Millwood Fire's protection area covers over 10 square miles. Our coverage includes all Chappaqua schools, highways, historical landmarks, and many commercial properties.

Schools

Horace Greeley High School
Seven Bridges Middle School
Roaring Brook Elementary School
Westorchard Elementary School

Seven Bridges Middle School
Chappaqua, NY

Commercial Property

Mavis Tire Original HQ
DeCicco & Sons
Sunshine Children's Home & Rehabilitation Center
Camp Fire Club of America

Sunshine Children's Home & Rehabilitation Center
Ossining, NY

Maryknoll Sisters Campus

Learn more about the Maryknoll Sisters

Maryknoll Sisters Campus
Ossining, NY

Taconic State Parkway

Mile marker ~6 to ~10 in both directions.

Taconic State Parkway Exit 8
Millwood, NY

Millwood Fire Department History

Original Millwood Fire Company firehouse with members, circa 1924 — Millwood Fire Company No. 1 — circa 1924

Lightning struck the Millwood Railroad Station one spring day in 1924 and a blazing fire started. Area residents attempted to put out the fire, but they did not have the equipment or manpower and the Chappaqua fire department was called in to suppress the blaze. To many residents, the railroad fire incident underscored the importance of a quick response to a fire in Millwood. Shortly after the Railroad Station fire, a dozen families met to start the Millwood Fire Company to meet the suppression needs of our community.

Land for the Millwood Fire House, located on Route 120, was provided by the Orser family — long-time residents of the area. The founders of the fire company contributed seed money and solicited donations from area residents to build Station #1 and purchase the 1924 Brockway chemical pumper. Much of the labor to build the firehouse was donated by residents, many of whom were carpenters and other tradesmen.

In the beginning, firefighters were called to alarms by hammering the “bell,” a Steam Locomotive drive wheel suspended by leather straps — still to be seen — in front of Station #1. That system was soon replaced with an air horn, which was later replaced with an electronic siren.

In the early days, reporting a fire was done by telephone. When a fire was reported, telephones would ring in ten locations, including Station #1, Millwood Shell, Deems Mobil, and the private homes of the Fire Company officers. Each of these phones was capable of sounding the air horn at Station #1. Today, a caller can dial 911 to report a fire. Firefighters are dispatched via a portable radio paging/alert system, and an audible alarm sounds at the firehouse.

Millwood Fire Company #1 currently houses two locations: The newly built Station #1 located on Route 120 and Station #2 located on Route 134. There are approximately 40 active professional volunteers who respond to over 400 alarms per year. The well-trained company is equipped with 6 fire apparatus: two engines, a tanker, a ladder, a heavy rescue, and a mini-attack, as well as 2 utility vehicles, 1 UTV, 3 Chiefs cars, 2 inflatable boats, and 2 special operations trailers.

The Millwood Fire Company's goal is to protect the life and property of the Millwood area residents.

Our Company & Mission: Serving Millwood Since 1924