At the end of World War II, the Town of Greenville, which at that time was a predominantly farming area, found itself with a group of energetic young men who had, by necessity, learned to work together as groups.  One of these groups was the Greenville Auxiliary Police Unit: which was about to be disbanded with a government controlled unit known as the “Greenville Spotters Club”.  This was a branch of the United States Air Force Warning Service that decided to join with returning servicemen and form a much-needed fire department.


Therefore, representatives of the above groups met at the Greenville Town Hall on November 12, 1945 for the purpose of forming a fire company.  There were nineteen persons present, and temporary officers were chosen as follows:  Joseph Banach as President, Claude S. Brodt as Secretary, and Edgar Davenport as Treasurer, Ernest Wieboldt, Cart W. Decker, and Charles Reiss were also chosen as trustees.


On November 21, 1945 the second meeting was held, and a full slate of officers were elected as follows:  Joseph Banach as President, James E. Walker as Vice-President, Claude Brodt as Secretary, Edgar Davenport as Treasurer, Harold Cortright as Chief, and Milton Clark as Assistant Chief.  Mr. John Hucko, Chief of the Pulaski Fire Department of Pine Island, was present and gave a talk on the procedures to follow in obtaining a charter and becoming a full-fledged fire department.  He, being President of the Orange County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, proved to be a guiding hand in getting the men started in the right direction.


On December 28, 1945 a Certificate of Incorporation was received and the “Greenville Township Fire Department, Inc.” officially came into being.  A fire protection district was formed using the town lines as its boundaries. The Secretary of the State of New York subsequently issued the charter.  The following names appeared on this charter:


Now that we had a fire department, we needed equipment.  On January 1946 the Department purchased their first truck from Scotia, New York Fire Department for the sum of $800.00.  The money was advance by President John Banach.  It was a 1924 American La France combination pumper and tank complete with suction hose and ladders.  Joseph Banach, Claude Brodt, Milton Clark, and Chief Harold Cortright went to Scotia and drove the truck back to Greenville.  The temperature was well below freezing, and as the truck had neither a cab nor windshield, the trip was anything but pleasant; but, we had our truck.  Chief Cortright volunteered to allow the Department to house their truck in his garage.  An alarm system was worked out, and a small siren, which was purchased from Campbell Hall Fire Department, was installed on the roof of the barn owned by Mrs. Harriet Walker.  Al Bann installed a button outside of the building and wired the siren.


Sunday, August 4, 1946 was a memorable day in the activities of the Town of Greenville, its Fire Department, and Ladies Auxiliary, which involved the dedication a Grace Church in Port Jervis of two large American Legion and their Auxiliary of Port Jervis.  Appropriate ceremonies were held on the grounds of the Greenville Methodist Church, following a parade from the Honor Roll on Route 6 to the Church grounds.


President Joseph Banach of the Greenville Fire Department acted as Master of Ceremonies.  Presentation of the flags was made by Commander Harry R. Knapp of the Legion Post and Auxiliary Post President Mrs. Stella Croopin.  Accepting for the Fire Department were Corporal Henry Force and Mrs. Frances Adel.  After the ceremonies at the Church, the firemen and ladies on the Walker property along Route 6 served refreshments.

During the summer of 1946, members were busy raising funds by having dances, card parties, and a clambake on Labor Day, which was to become an annual event.  These events were held at various places including Holy Cross Church in South Centerville, the Sparrowbush Fire House, the Highway Valley Rest, Van Sickles Grove in Pine Island, the Unionville Communities House, and at the skating rink at Joyland Beach in Port Jervis.  It was at Joyland Beach that we raffled off a horse.  Marvin Drake donated the horse.  Books were printed, and the drawing was held at a dance on July 4, 1946.  We made $704.03 on the dance, and Peter Karros, a Greenville farmer, won the horse.  He in turn gave the horse back to the Fire Department and it was auctioned off from the dance floor and brought an additional $40.00.


On August 6, 1946 the Fire Department received their first contract with the Town at a rate not to exceed $500.00 per year.