Company 2

North Bellmore Engine and Rescue Company No. 2

In 1923, a handful of homeowners in the north end of the fire district decided to organize, because they felt they needed more fire protection nearer to them. These original 13 men first met in a building on Waltoffer Avenue which was a laundry. After a few meetings they bought a used REO Truck. They put this into use as their first fire truck. It was equipped with shovels, pails, and brooms. The truck was housed in a garage on the corner of Washington and Decatur Avenue. Mounted on the roof of the garage was a school bell which was sounded as a fire signal.

At this time, the men requested a charter from the State of New York. This was granted and the organization was known as Engine Company No. 2, which was part of the North Bellmore Fire District. Property was purchased on Newbridge Road which remains to this day the present location of the firehouse. Money was needed to build a garage. The men went door to door to every homeowner in the area to whom they sold shares of the company. As money came in, the building progressed to the size of a two car garage. When it was completed, it housed the REO and a new Ford Model A Chemical Truck.

The building was also used as a meeting room. The fire signal used here was a hoop, hung on an A frame and rung with a sledge hammer. As time went on, wells were put in for easy access to water and air horns later called men to duty. In 1933, the younger men of the company organized a fire department racing drill team. They decided to call themselves the “Rinky Dinks”. They got to use the name when they got permission from the editor and publishers of the then famous Rinky Dinks cartoon.

In 1956, the company’s charter was changed to North Bellmore Engine and Rescue Company No. 2 as the men in the company became trained in first aid procedures. In 1969, a monument was constructed next to the firehouse in memory of all firemen past and present. The bell used on the monument is the original bell used in 1923 to alert residents and call to duty. The monument was restored in 2007 and now features the names of the original 13 founding members as well as all members who have reached company life membership.

In 2001, members of North Bellmore Engine and Rescue Company No. 2 responded to the tragedy at the World Trade Center, assisting in the rescue efforts. Members rotated in and out of the city for over two weeks to work at the scene. Today, another memorial stands across from the firehouse constructed of recovered steel from the World Trade Center rubble dedicated to the lives lost that day.