In 1946, the Fire District purchased a 750 gallon MACK pumper, considered at that time the Cadillac of the industry. With the war now over, and the Doyle community growing at a rapid rate, the company celebrated its 50th anniversary on October 30,1954 with a membership of 104 people, up substantially from its original membership of 10 in 1904. At its 50-year celebration banquet, the company was lead by such dedicated men as:
PRESIDENT Thaddeus C. KloskoVICE PRESIDENT Stanley WasielewskiTREASURER Joseph LorneckiSECRETARY Chester KociszewskiSGT-AT-ARMS William RakowskiCHAPLAIN Reverend Frank WlodarczykCHIEF Casimer Piotrowski1st ASSISTANT Stanley Pajak2nd ASSISTANT Joseph Stoeckl3rd ASSISTANT Joseph UrbanskiMARSHALL John KaminskiMECHANIC Edward PalczewskiCOMMISSIONERS Gus Kalwicki (Chairman)Anthony RollekRaymond StablewskiGeorge HermanJohn HyzyDISTRICT TREASURER Edward TokaszDISTRICT SECRETARY John Szydlowski
With more people moving into the Town of Cheektowaga, and the dedication of the volunteer fireman, the need for more space became a major concern. In 1959, the Fire District built a large three bay engine room, along with firemen’s quarters and meeting rooms. With the anticipation of equipping the fire district with the finest fire fighting equipment, the old engine room was renovated and made into a community hall for the people of the Doyle Fire District. The new engine room was equipped with a First Aid Vehicle and in 1960, a 65’ Aerial Ladder Truck. The smaller, more efficient First Aid vehicle made an immediate impact in the fire service. Fire trucks were initially used to cover first aid calls, but they were too large and too costly to operate for first aid calls, thus necessitating the need for the smaller, more efficient rescue vehicle.
In 1968, the Board of Fire Commissioners approved the purchase of a 1250 gallon CRUSADER pumper and, after 11 years of faithful service, the original rescue vehicle was replaced by an INTERNATIONAL FIRST AID truck in 1971. After 32 years of faithful service, a new pumper was purchased to replace our "OLD MACK" pumper.
The increase in the Town of Cheektowaga population, the increase in new homes and businesses and with open space in the Fire District becoming scarce, the need for new equipment was essential in protecting the community. While the number of calls in 1904 was 12, 1978 saw a total of 513 alarms answered by Doyle Hose Company #1 members. This total represented the largest number of calls in the 75 year history of Doyle #1. The new fire equipment did not remain idle, as courses in firefighting techniques and first aid became more state mandated, requiring many hours of training and recertification. The training and new equipment was very much needed in putting out many major fires, such as St. Josaphat’s Church, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Children’s Home in which the caretaker lost his life, the Buffalo Fertilizer Company, the Wieczorek homestead fire and explosion that took the life of brother fireman Henry Ledwon, Eastern Auto Forwarding Company, the Anchor Block explosion in which numerous injuries and deaths occurred, along with the total devastation of the Super Duper Food Market at Harlem and Viola. Special equipment was also needed in putting out the spectacular fires at local lumber yards and auto parts dealers on William Street. Without the updated and advanced equipment, the raging house fire at 55 Fairoaks in 1978, the Forks Lumber Fire in 1979, and the June 4th Mutual Aid Fire at the Idylwoods Apartments would have resulted in much property loss with possible deathly results. When Doyle Hose Company #1 celebrated its 75th anniversary at the Sheraton Inn on April 28th, 1979, all in attendance realized that it had come a long way since our 50th anniversary, and who knew what future had in store. The professionalism of the company was shown the leadership of the devoted men listed below:
PRESIDENT Chester KociszewskiVICE PRESIDENT Richard PiontekSECRETARY John KloskoTREASURER Joseph CartenutoSGT-AT-ARMS Thomas KloskoCHAPLAIN Alexander ValentineCHIEF Stanley Grzybek1st ASSISTANT Arthur Darmstedter2nd ASSISTANT David Janora3rd ASSISTANT Robert SpradaMARSHALL Leonard GruszkaASST. MARSHALL Frank Pagano1ST AID CAPTAIN Marshall FaulMECHANIC Edward PalczewskiFIRE POLICE CAPTAIN Edward RatajczakCOMMISSIONERS Leonard Andrzejewski (Chairman)Thaddeus KloskoHenry KaznowskiJoseph GajewskiMichael LisowskiDISTRICT TREAUSRER Edward TokaszDISTRICT SECRETARY Chester KociszewskiBOARD OF DIRECTORS Henry AndrzejewskiWilliam HareEugene JanisHoward LightJoseph MatuszakStephen H. Pajak
In May of 1979, the Fire Company dedicated a new pumper, the latest vehicle in the Doyle Fire District arsenal, as they proceeded to protect the community for the next 25 years. The training requirements of the volunteer fireman has changed drastically since the beginning of the company. With the Aids virus and SARS epidemic throughout the nation, the volunteer had to be trained how to contain these devastating diseases. The members of Doyle Hose Company #1 always took care of its own members during some hard times, but their compassion was also felt throughout the community. The members held fund raising affairs for brother fireman Bernard Jakubiak in 1980 after he was diagnosed with a possibly fatal disease. When members of the community needed help, Doyle #1 was there to coordinate fund raising efforts for Jennifer Busch in September of 1992 and Jeremy Stacey in the fall of 1998. Through the hard work of the members, these families were able to meet some of the medical bills incurred. CPR and advanced fiirst aid training became more inclusive of the world around us, and some of our members were rewarded for their dedicated efforts. In the summer of 1986, Chief Frank Pagano was elected "Man Of The Year" in the Southwestern, Western and Erie County Firemen’s Associations for his heroic efforts while Chief Robert Higgins was named "Man Of The Year" in 1989 by the William Street Taxpayers Association and the Empire State Rescue and First Aid Association for heroic acts of bravery in the line of duty. Special honors indeed, for dedicated, volunteer individuals. On May 1, 2000, two young firemen, Jay Napieralski and Joe Fitzgerald were recognized by the Leonard Post for their life saving efforts while WNLO - Channel 23 honored firefighters Michael Mazurowski and David Crone for delivery a young child into this world during an emergency.
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2199 William Street Cheektowaga, NY 14206 716-896-4399
