Hall of Flames presents Ti Fire Dept. past and present

TICONDEROGA — The history of the men and women who have risked their lives in defense of fire here will never be extinguished thanks to the Hall of Flames museum on Montcalm Street. Aside from a small display at the Hancock House, the entire town's fire fighting history is memorialized at the Hall of Flames. Chad Jordon, the fire department's historian, said the concept behind the museum is to pass down the legacy of every Ticonderoga firefighter and teach younger generations that saving lives and property is critical. From photos, awards and documents to axes, breathing apparatuses and thermal imaging cameras, visitors can walk through the past and learn how fire fighting has impacted the town and changed throughout the years. "Historically the museum shows the need for better apparatus," Jordon said. "What once worked for a certain era would not work in our current time." For example, the centerpiece of the museum's is a 1923 American LeFrance Pumper fire truck. In its heyday, it pumped roughly 200 gallons of water a minute. Fire Chief Matthew Watts, a third generation Ticonderoga firefighter, said that amount of water would not cut it in today's world of fire fighting. The truck department members use today pumps 1,500 gallons a minute. The current museum is actually the second of its kind. The original was started in the early 1990's and was housed in the fire house, spread throughout three rooms. In 2006 then Fire Chief Carl Perry got the ball rolling for a new and bigger space. Sadly, Perry passed away before the grand opening in May 2011. Watts said interest in the museum was strong for a year and then died out a little, but said it has always been available to visit by word of mouth or with a phone call. "It's always going to be a work in progress," he said. Jordon took over as historian last year and has helped to reorganize the collections. Visitors to the museum can learn about Ti's fire fighting companies, the ladies auxiliary, the junior firefighters and more. He said department members are planning a grand reopening in April around Recruit NY 2016, held on April 23-24, during which fire departments across New York open their doors to recruit firefighters. Historical timeline of the Ticonderoga Fire Department 1873: first fire department formed 1874: FD named S.W. Clark Hose Co. #1 after Stephen W. Clark 1875: H.G. Burleigh Hose Co. #1 formed, named after Henry Gordon Burleigh 1880: The two pioneer companies disbanded and together formed Defiance Hose Co #1 1882: Defiance Hose Company incorporated 1887: Defiance Hook and Ladder organized 1890: Defiance Hook and Ladder incorporated 1897: W.W.D. Jeffers Hose Company formed 1899: W.W.D. Jeffers Hose Company incorporated 1991: Defiance Hose Co., Defiance Hook and Ladder, and W.W.D. Jeffers Hose Co. consolidated into Ticonderoga Fire Company

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Hall of Flames presents Ti Fire Dept. past and present

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