125 Years of the John Paulding Engine Company

By Rick Pezzullo

It has been a community staple in the Town of Orangetown operated solely by volunteers for decades, and it continues to serve approximately 3,650 residents with dedication and professionalism.

The John Paulding Engine Company celebrated a major milestone Saturday—125 years in existence, with a “Day in the Park” event at Depot Square in Sparkill, where residents enjoyed live music, activities, food, and hands-on demonstrations with fire apparatus.

Established in 1901 and incorporated in 1912, John Paulding Engine Company currently has about 36 active volunteer members, along with life, social and honorary members. The longest-serving current active member is Michael Yannazzone, who is both an active firefighter and chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners. He has served for 51 years.

John Paulding has a strong multigenerational tradition, with numerous families having served the company across multiple generations. The same family names can be found repeatedly throughout the company’s history, including among chiefs, commissioners, officers and firefighters.

“We would not characterize our department as one of the largest in Rockland County by geographic area or membership,” noted Paul Hasenfus, records administrator for the company. “What is notable is the wide range of responsibilities handled by a relatively compact volunteer department, including residential neighborhoods, major roadways, St. Thomas Aquinas College, institutional properties and mutual-aid responses throughout the surrounding area.”

The Sparkill-Palisades Fire District covers approximately four square miles, including the hamlets of Sparkill and Palisades. The department responded to 200 calls in 2025. That marked the third consecutive year with more than 200 or more calls in the company’s history, compared with a historical average of approximately 170 to 175 calls per year.

Those responses include structure and other fires, automatic fire alarms, motor vehicle accidents and extrications, hazardous conditions, rescues, public-assistance calls and mutual aid to neighboring departments.

The company originally operated from a firehouse in the center of Sparkill. The property was purchased by the company in 1912. The building was later modified to accommodate the company’s first motorized apparatus. The company remained at that location for decades before moving in 1970 to its present headquarters at 520 Route 340 in Sparkill. The original firehouse later became the building many local residents know as The Roost.

As is the case with most fire department, John Paulding is actively recruiting new members. No previous firefighting experience is required. New members receive training and have opportunities to serve the community in firefighting, emergency-response and support roles.

Recent recruitment efforts, including banners, signs and community outreach, have generated increased interest and new applications.

“Continuing to attract the next generation of volunteers is critical to carrying the company’s tradition of service forward,” Hasenfus noted.

For more information, visit www.sparkillpalisadesfire.com.