Doyle Volunteer Hose Company #1 became a reality in its true form on April 3,1911 when the membership petitioned the Cheektowaga Town Board for permission to incorporate under the Membership Corporations Laws of the State of New York. A resolution, moved by Justice Schiesel and Mr. Monin was adopted to allow the incorporation of Doyle Volunteer Hose Company #1. The Town Board felt that it is in the best interest of the Town of Cheektowaga to promote and encourage hose companies to extinguish fires within the Town.
Under the guidance of President JOHN ROHR, a position he held for 18 years, and Chief ANDREW NAPIERALSKI, the company began to address the equipment needs of the community. The first piece of fire fighting equipment consisted of a two-wheel cart, which is still restored at the firehouse. In the summer of 1911, at their monthly meeting, the members tried to come up with a solution to transporting the two-wheel cart to fires. Since it was a very physical task, the members decided to look into the feasibility of purchasing a horse for the fire wagon. At times, there was a procedure to "borrow" a horse if one could be found and the company did make arrangements with a nearby neighbor to provide the horse and driver when needed. The idea to buy a horse would eliminate the problem of "borrowing" the horse at times when the owner was out of town or not home, and the thought of our members "commandeering" a horse would result in lost time going to the fire with adjusting the harness and fittings to the new horse. With all members voicing their opinions, the body voted down the purchasing of a horse because the cost of providing stables and other expenses would be too high for the company and taxpayers to absorb.
The early headquarters of Doyle Hose Company *1 was housed in a wooden building on the corner of William and Alaska Streets. With the new building, the company was able to upgrade its fire equipment with a four-wheeled cart to supplement its current two-wheel "truck". As the town population began to grow, the need for better for better firefighting equipment was a high priority. On November 2,1922, a meeting of the taxpayers and qualified voters was held at the fire hall to determine a proposition to purchase a new fire truck. Forty-two ballots were cast in a unanimous vote to purchase a new fire truck, not to exceed $8,000. The membership also appropriated $2000 for the installation of a fire alarm system, but defeated a proposition of appropriating $200 for light and upkeep of the fire hall by a vote of 27-15.
Since the population of Cheektowaga grew from 7,500 inhabitants in 1911 to 15,000 in 1924, the increasing need for fire protection also was needed. On April 10,1924 the Doyle Fire District grew by one more company as sister company Doyle Hose #2 was born. In 1926, when Doyle Hose Company #1 was able to purchase a new American LaFrance fire Truck, the company donated to their sister fire company their recently purchased Hahn Motorized Fire Truck and the District was now protected at both ends of town.
For the next fourteen years, the Town of Cheektowaga and Doyle Fire District continued to flourish and grow. 1938 saw the building of a new brick engine room, a two story building that was considered by many to be a modern marvel. The old wood building was retained as a meeting room for its members. With Andrew Napieralski stepping down as Chief after his long tenure, the volunteer fire company was lead by Chiefs Andrew Piacente Sr., George Herman, Stephen Nieswadomy,
Bernard Roskwitalski, and Casimer Piotrowski as they handled the firematic side of the District. On the Presidential side, the handling of Doyle activities was put in the hands of professional gentlemen such as Michael Andrzejewski1 Anthony Peiffer, Edwar4 Jeziewski, Robert Anderson, Joseph Stoeckl, Willard Schum, Frank Zalemski, Edward Palczewski and Thaddeus Klosko as the company survived despite two world wars and many battles which were fought bravely by members of Doyle #1 who saw action in the military.
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2199 William Street Cheektowaga, NY 14206 716-896-4399
