Hamilton College Fire Department
Prior to 1895, Hamilton College had no municipal water system for drinking and fire suppression purposes. That year, Hamilton dammed up a creek near Skyline Drive for a reservoir, which supplied the College through mains until Utica water arrived in the 1990s. Hydrants provided an improved system for fire fighting.
To go along with the new water source, the College bought a hose cart with 200 feet of hose. An article in the Clinton Courier reported that the pressure was sufficient to throw water over the highest building on campus.
The Clinton Fire Department (CFD,) since its founding in 1866, has responded to fires and emergencies at Hamilton. A fire department of sorts was at Hamilton during the 20th century and functioned with students as volunteers at times.
In May 1929, the Courier reported that “College and Village sirens rang for an automobile fire.” Where was the College siren located? Was it a horn or a bell or a what? During World War II a siren was in the Chapel belfry.
A year later the Courier reported that a fire engine was bought by Hamilton College. It was an American LaFrance engine on a Brockway chassis with a steel body and a 250 gpm pump. It had other equipment: 1200 feet of hose, 200 feet of smaller hose, two hand extinguishers, two ladders, two axes, lanterns, and other items. What happened to this rig?
This engine and the Hamilton College Fire Department did fight at least one fire according to an article in November 1930 at Silliman Hall (now Couper.) Damage amounted to $1000.00.
The College Fire Department along with the CFD answered a call in May 1931 when a passerby saw smoke coming from the basement of the Commons. The Clinton volunteers were assisted by students and the College apparatus, according to the Clinton Courier. A loss of $2500 was reported to items in a storeroom by the College store.
A fire-related prank got four College men in trouble when they sent in a false alarm about midnight in March 1940. The prank was premeditated as advance notice was given to village officials not to respond. The entire College Hill community turned out in response to the wailing of the seldom-used siren in the chapel, and the College fire truck made a run to Chi Psi Lodge with some difficulty due to the snow banks. Four Chi Psi members were fined $35.00 by College authorities for sending in the false alarm.
An subsequent editorial in Hamilton Life advocated the formation of a student volunteer fire department. The College had two or three engines which were kept in the former buildings and grounds complex just off College Hill Road between Dunham Dorm and the Rudd Infirmary. The Hamilton College Fire Department “operated” in the late 1940s and 1950’s and at other times, too. However, Clinton still answered calls there.
The Spectator, in October 1948 described the American LaFrance engine as being in “deplorable condition” and the firefighting equipment as “extremely inadequate.” The student department seemed to do more with fire safety and fire prevention in the dorms and fraternities, but did have a chief and 25–30 members.
The 1948 article listed John Davis as secretary. Mr. Davis was a medical doctor in Newark, New York and wrote in 2001 that it was “more of an honorary thing to do. I can’t state as to whether we had any meetings and there hadn’t been any real need for the Fire Department fortunately, due to lack of fires.” Sidney Wertimer, former economics professor, provost, and associate dean, recalled a few years ago that in 1956 the H.C.F.D. began again with the former 1930 Clinton Buffalo engine. This department was manned by students and lasted until 1962. The rig was turned over to the Air Force Reserve for drills in 1962, but was then given back to the College. It was sold to Dean Rockwell of Eden, New York.
The Clinton Historical Society has three helmets from the H.C.F.D. from this period.
The October 8, 1965 Spectator reported on an amusing aspect of the Hill Fire Department. Ten students bought a 1925 Selden engine/pumper from the Village of Madison on Route 20 for $300.00. Informally, the students called themselves the “Lad and Hooker Co.” and planned “to exhibit the engine to football games and College functions and to have it ready for emergency fire protection on the Hill.”
All equipment, including a siren, flashing red light, bell, ladders, hose, 300 gallon tank, and pump were in working order. The company did standby work at a bonfire one fall evening. This seems to be the last fire apparatus housed on the Hill.
The fire detectors at Hamilton are wired to the Oneida County Fire Control so the Clinton alarm is activated whenever the sensors go off. Hamilton Security checks the situation thoroughly and radios CFD what the alarm is. Based on that information CFD officers determine whether to roll the rigs or not.
The College has its own student emergency medical team to respond rapidly to any crisis, and the Central Oneida County Ambulance Corps, based in Clark Mills, responds with the CFD Rescue rig to any medical calls on the Hill.
