In 1660 a small group of settlers including Peter Disbrow, John Coe and Thomas Studwell landed at Manursing Island, where they met the Poningoe Indians and purchased much of the land that is now the City of Rye.
The earliest records of Rye Volunteer Firefighters date back to 1886 when the Poningoe Fire Company was formally organized. Firefighting equipment included a hand–drawn engine and a small hose cart. The apparatus was stored in James Cushion’s blacksmith shop, now the site of the Rye Commons Apartments on the Boston Post Road (across from City Hall.) The Rye Fire Department was formally organized in 1892.
In October of 1902, the Milton Point Hose Company was formed. The company was granted the use of a building known as the John Weed Store, on property adjacent to the Rye Municipal Boat Basin that would later be home of the Brailsford Company, and is now a private residence. On January 1, 1903 the Milton Company was officially made part of the Rye Fire Department. Historical records note that keys and badges were supplied to the members for $.85.
Rye has always been diligent in adopting the newest equipment to protect its citizens and thier property. In 1903 the Milton company received a hand pump that included leather water buckets.
In 1905, then Mayor Theodore Fremd formed the Fire Police Patrol Company, which shared the Milton Point station. Mayor Fremd would become the first Captain of the Rye Fire Police.
In 1907, Mrs. William Parsons offered a piece of land on Locust Ave to act as the Headquarters for the Department. Upon receipt of the land the taxpayers approved $40,000 to build the headquarters. The building was state of the art including an auditorium, two meeting rooms, engine room, and stables to accommodate six horses. The house had the latest in technology including ridged concrete flooring designed to keep the horses from slipping as they started to pull the heavy fire engine.
As the Milton Point area continued to grow, it was clear that a new building to house the Milton Point Hose Company and Fire Police Patrol was needed. On Nov. 6, 1912, both companies moved into the present location on Milton Road.
Early to adopt mechanized technology, Rye purchased their first motor driven apparatus, a 40 hp Locomobile, in 1914. It was customized to address the needs of the department and included ladders, 1000 feet of hose, and several small chemical extinguishers. Alfred Gedney, our first career professional, was appointed as caretaker and driver of the apparatus.
In 1986, the Department celebrated it’s 100th anniversary. The event was commemorated with a parade through downtown featuring 54 departments and over 300 pieces of apparatus.
At the turn of the 20th to 21st centuries, Rye's two firehouses were showing their age and in need of structural repair and updated facilities and equipment in order to comply with NFPA, OSHA and ADA requirements. Rye taxpayers approved a bond issue that provided the capital needed to improve and expand both houses. On May 17, 2008 a public open house was held at the newly renovated Headquarters building, officially marking the completion of the project.
100th Anniversary Parade Video from March 4th, 1986
