From the "Village of Westchester -- 1925-1975 -- Golden Jubilee", 1976.

The Westchester Fire Department ...

(Photo courtesy of Mr. Charles M. Danek, Village Manager)

On January 6, 1955, the Department started the tradition of burning old Christmas Trees on the Feast of Epiphany, or Little Christmas.  The burning of trees took place in the open field at Westchester Blvd. and Pelham St.

The Department later purchased a fire engine from the City of Elgin.  On March 14, 1953, the fireman presented the title for the thousand gallon pumper to the Village.

In 1954, the Department purchased a triple combination, 1000 gallon per minute pumper from the Maxim Motors Co. in Middleboro, Massachusetts.

The Department now has two stations, at Roosevelt Road (shown above), and at Mayfair, which was built in 1964.  Between the two stations, the Department has four 1000 gallon pumpers, one 100 foot ladder truck, and one ambulance.

The Westchester Fire Department now consists of the Chief, nineteen paid men, and twenty five men that are paid on call.

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Last Modified:  02/18/2005