Our West Webster and Webster Volunteer fire departments are both marking notable anniversaries this year.
The West Webster Fire Department (WWFD) is turning 100 years old in 2026, and the Webster Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD) 120 years old. While the departments now share a century of tradition, each evolved from modest roots into the highly-respected, dedicated community organizations they are today.
West Webster Fire Department
A local tragedy served as the catalyst for the formation of the West Webster Fire Department.
In the early 1900s, bucket brigades were the primary fire suppression system in West Webster. Buckets were hung on the rail at Goetzman’s store (on the southeast corner of Gravel and Ridge) in the event of a fire in the area.
On January 15, 1925, tragedy struck in the 590 block of Ridge Rd., not far from where the current WWFD station is today. At the time, the closest fire department was in the Village of Webster, who arrived 10 minutes after the call went out. They immediately called for backup from Point Pleasant and Sea Breeze. But despite their best efforts, two buildings, a garage, five apartments and several cars were lost.
After the fire, a community group called the “Social 20” took on the task of increasing fire protection in West Webster. On May 3, 1926, the West Webster Firemen’s Association held their first meeting. They began with only $75 to the organization’s name, but by the end of the month had raised enough to purchase a Federal truck chassis for $1,000. They built their first truck using parts from a decommissioned Rochester Fire Department chemical hose cart.
The first firehouse was in a garage on Ridge Road. Later, it moved to the southeast corner of Gravel and Ridge roads before finally settling in its current location on Gravel Rd., south of Ridge. The WWFD also operates from Station 2 on Backus Rd. and Station 3 on Plank Rd.
Webster Volunteer Fire Department
The Webster Volunteer Fire Department kind of started out with an ice cream stand.
In 1905, the WVFD as we know it today was just beginning to take shape, largely as a direct result of the Village of Webster’s incorporation that same year. That July, the Village Board passed an ordinance allowing the Webster Fire Association to maintain stands in celebration of the Fourth of July. Located at the southwest corner of South Ave. and Main St., the stands served soft drinks, sandwiches and ice cream.
The following year, on March 23, 1906, a group of village men met to discuss the idea of forming a fire department. The Village Board approved the idea, and the WVFD was officially established, charged with the protection and preservation of property within the corporate limits of the Village of Webster.
Before 1905, as in West Webster, “bucket brigades” were the primary method of fighting fires. Residents would keep leather buckets in their homes or businesses, and when a fire broke out, would form a human chain from the nearest well to the blaze.
The original fire hall in 1907 was a building on South Avenue in the former Jayne and Mason Bank building. In 1908, the first firefighting apparatus was purchased from the town of Williamson. It was a hand-drawn, squirrel-tail pumper, which took 16 to 20 men to operate. That original pumper is now on display in front of the fire station on South Ave.
A rather ingenious fire alarm system to announce fires was installed in front of the fire hall. It consisted of a steel tire from a locomotive suspended on a cross arm between two telephone poles with a spring mounted hammer and rope attached for ringing. The harsh sound could be heard over long distances and brought firefighters running from all directions.
The Webster Volunteer Fire Department has served our community from its main station at 25 South Ave. since 1969. Additional stations are located on Salt Rd. and Phillips Rd.
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(posted 3/20/2026)
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