Prior to 1874 companies of the volunteer dept. had the right
to elect their own chief engineer. On March 10, 1874, the common council
removed the volunteers elected chief Wesley Dimbleby. They replaced Dimbleby
with William J. Supple. This move angered the volunteer members and even
caused 5 of the companies to withdraw from the department. The disbanding of
the 5 companies created an uneasiness through out the city and property owners
sent a petition to the legislature to establish a fire and police commission.
The state acted quickly and by March 28, 1874 the commission had a meeting and
began to appoint police and firemen. It was determined at this time the the
Utica Fire Dept. would be made up of 60 men, a chief, and 2 assistants. Chief
Dimbleby was reinstated at this time as chief. On
June 1, 1874 the Board of Commissioners took formal possesion of the
department and found it un poor condition. The apparatus was stored in seven
buildings and the city had only owned 2 of these buildings. Also at this time
the John Street station was being built also owned by the city. The new paid departments
companies consisted of:
- Rescue Truck No. 1
- Utica Steamer No. 1
- Utica Steamer No. 2
- Utica Steamer No. 3
- Utica Steamer No. 4
