It's a diamond year for Collins Fire Company

By Mary Pankow
   At the end of July, an event took place in Collins to celebrate one of the most important moments in the history of this modest little community. Hundreds of area residents gathered on Main Street as the 75th anniversary party of the Collins Volunteer Fire Company got under way. A full day of activities provided plenty of entertainment for the crowd, and the grand finale of the event was a fireworks display over the town park.    While the celebration lasted just one day, it was a fitting tribute to a company whose mission is to save lives and promote fire prevention.
   The Collins Fire Company organized on April 21, 1925. G.P. Harris was elected president and Claude Sherman was elected chief. Needing to upgrade from bucket-brigade equipment, the company purchased a horse-drawn vehicle outfitted with two 80-gallon chemical tanks. Originally housed in a shed at Hathaway's General Store and then Dr. Holden's garage, the "tanker" was moved to the Krebbs farm at Hillview Avenue and Main Street once a fire district was formed.
   In 1926, Collins Fire Company joined the Southwestern Association of Volunteer Firemen. The company also incorporated that year and was called into service when the Ford Abbey store burned, now the site of R.W. Moppert Automotive. Responding to the mutual aid call were Collins Center, Helmuth and Gowanda.
    A fire hall was erected in 1928 on land donated by the late L.L. Hathaway. With cement blocks produced by a Gowanda State Hospital occupational therapy group and windows purchased from Buffalo State Mental Hospital, volunteers labored on the construction of the hall. As the Roaring '20s neared the crashing halt, Collins experienced other exciting moments. Two fire hydrants were installed and the first piece of motorized equipment was purchased from the City of Buffalo. The company was also authorized to respond to fires outside the district by the fire commissioners.
   In 1943, Collins Center and Collins merged, forming the Town of Collins Fire District. The fruits of the firefighters' labors were realized in 1945 as they purchased a new Chevrolet fire truck, using company funds. A bond issued by the town board in 1955 for $26,500 covered the cost of two fire trucks equipped with high-pressure fog systems.
    As the company grew, its needs also increased. In 1958, the Goran Garage building was acquired and transformed into a fire hall. An addition in 1979 provided more space for the company's growing fleet of trucks. The Collins Fire Company continues to occupy this site.
   Today, the Collins Fire Hall houses two pumpers, while two pumpers are stationed at the Collins Center Fire Hall. An emergency equipment truck is also part of each inventory and Collins is currently on a fund-raising venture to purchase a new rescue truck.
    Statistics from 1999 show that the Collins Fire Company responded to 148 calls tallying 2,320 man-hours. There are more than 40 volunteer members and five fire commissioners working to ensure the safety of area residents.
   To learn more about the company, or to join, call 532-5692.