South Bay History: ![]()
The South Bay Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., started out in the spring of 1954 as the brainchild of a few concerned citizens who realized that with the advent of water, gas and eventually sewer lines, the area was due to grow rapidly in the
next few years. This area was known as South Bay, a mostly summer resort type area that was centered about halfway between Cicero and Bridgeport. While these two fire companies had adequate equipment and manpower, the distance
of seven (7) miles in either direction left a lot to be desired.
After several meetings and arguments, it was decided that our own fire department was a must. With no funds available for such an undertaking, this was no small thing. However, full of confidence the men elected officers and set
up a sort of charter. Work would begin immediately.
At present, the Department is under the command of Dan DeLargy. Our first chief, however, was Hilton “Slim” Rima, a transplanted resident and former member of the Mattydale Fire Department. Under his leadership we would get both the fundamentals and spirit that has carried on to this day.
Our first piece of equipment was a 1939 Buffalo pumper-tanker that completely equipped and mortgaged to the hilt cost
us about $3,000.00. This truck is now on the display at the Fireman’s home.
Our 35 amateur firemen put in nites, Saturdays & Sundays to build with their own hands a 36’ x 40’ two bay
concrete block building. Sitting on a dirt floor with Coleman lanterns brightly burning, a charter was drawn, by-laws
and rules were divided, and schemes for the raising of funds were discussed.
On an August midnight in 1955, South Bay was officially declared in business, a proud moment indeed.
Today the original building has expanded to a four bay unit that is 36’ x 80’ with an additional 60’ x 100’ recreation
hl, housing offices, recreation rooms and a huge meeting or dance hall. The large hall is used by many civic and church groups for the benefit of the community. At other times it is used for receptions, smokers, dances, parties and sometimes conventions.
Our present complement of men and officers protect an area that is approximately 10 square miles. There are now
two engines that carry 750 gallons of water each and connected to a hydrant will pump 1,500 gallons per minute. One engine is designated as an engine and the other is designated a rescue/pumper. There is also a medical rescue. During the summer months we also operate a boat for water rescue and fire operations. For the winter months, we have a snowmobile and a sled equipped with stretcher, oxygen and first aid kit. We also operate a 6 wheeled rescue vehicle for off road operations.
All this equipment is supplied with two-way radios. All firemen have a Plectron unit in their homes. Three sirens span the length of the district, and all this is tied in with Onondaga County Fire Control. Even a couple of the more popular restaurants have a Plectron unit or scanners. No excuse here for not hearing a call. This is a far cry from the four fire phones that someone had to babysit on the weekends.
With the exception of a few fires, South Bay has been extremely fortunate in the past 20 years. Loss of life has been minimal and property damage below average. The majority of calls, about 90%, are rescue calls involving illness or accidents. Most of these are first aid.
South Bay has several Emergency Medical Technicians, a half dozen qualified underwater rescue men (scuba divers) and most all of the members have attended a first aid course of one type or another. All members are required to attend any fire fighting school that is made available to them. Many courses are on fire prevention, business management, public relations, etc.
Our auxiliary, some 30 girls strong, has been a tremendous help over the years. In the early going their fund raising efforts helped provide such necessities as coats, boots and helmets. Today those efforts are channeled towards such things as an extra portable pump, audio-visual equipment, a few more Plectrons and of course the business of running the Fire Department Bingo games which have contributed so much to the departments support.
The need for community involvement where there had previously been none is what prompted South Bay to initiate some of its innovative programs. The stag smoker practically disappeared with the advent of the first “mixed smoker” here in 1957. Realizing the need for some type of community center, the largest building of its kind was built here in 1963. It is totally owned by the fire department.
The South Bay Fire Department is a corporation owned by the members. We contract with the Town of Cicero to protect our district. We make all our own decisions regarding equipment purchases and related items.
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