Queens County, New York

In 1897 Queens County was incorporated. At that time it consisted of 1 city and 6 towns. In 1898 the now borough covered 11 square miles and was protected by 63 volunteer companies and 9 paid companies from Long Island City. The paid department of Long Island City was formed in 1891 but its growth was prevented due to budgetary restrictions. Eventually they appealed to the state and gained funds. In 1898, due to the growth of Queens communities there were now 75 volunteer companies. They operated 47 hose wagons and carriages (Engines), 24 ladders, 3 steam engines, 3 chemical engines, and one hand engine. On September 1, 1905 the first paid FDNY companies were formed in Rockaway with the formation of the 37th (Now 47th) Battalion, which included Engines 164, 165, 166, and 167, as well as Ladder 71. On November 28 of that same year Engine 168 was organized. They would operate from 6 of the 14 Rockaway Park Volunteer Fire Companies. This battalion was very isolated and would require the new 9th Division (Now 13th) to travel by steam train to meet. At one point this area even had its own box alarm system separate from Queens, which included 38 box alarms, although most of the other communities in Queens had their alarm systems already connected with that of Queens. In 1928 that ended and the box alarm system joined that of Queens. By the mid-1950s bridges had been constructed allowing other companies to respond there and it had grown to 250 alarm boxes. On July 5, 1907 Richmond Hill and Jamaica would join the FDNY with the opening of Engine 170, Hose Companies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, Ladders 75, 76, and 77, and the 50th Battalion, shutting down 15 volunteer companies. On December 1, 1908 Flushing and College Point were given paid coverage from the FDNY with the formation of the 52nd Battalion, Engines 172, 173, and 174, Hose Companies 8 and 9, and Ladders 79 and 80. By 1915 all but 15 volunteer companies had been replaced, with them losing 4 more later in 1915. Finally 5 more volunteer companies were lost on November 30, 1929.