The first company formed was “The Enterprise Fire Engine Company”, four years later eight men were added from the factory village in Brooklyn. In 1854 a charter for the Borough of Danielson was issued, primarily to establish a fire department organized later that year, Danielson Fire Department. On March 19, 1855 it was voted that a Hand tub was to be purchased for the cost of $990, it was named t
he “Quinnebaug.” From April to August of 1855 a total of 700 feet of leather hose was purchased at $.80 a foot and the first company was formed; “The Minnetexit Company”, who then renamed the “Quinnebaug” to “The Minnetexit Company”. Later, in 1873 the first ladder truck (horse drawn) was purchased at a cost of $550. Following this a Steam Fire Engine was purchased from the Silsby Manufacturing Company of Seneca Falls, NY for $350 delivering 400 GPM. Three hose reals were purchased from 1878 to 1890, each with a capacity of 450’ of 2” hose, hand drawn by a crew of 10 men. Before the construction of the new fire house in 1905 each company was located in a different building. “Minnetexit Hose No.1” on center street, “Pioneer Hose No.2” on water street, “Rough and Ready Hose No.3” on Broad Street, “Rattler Hook and Ladder Co.” in the Borough Hall, and “General Putnam Steamer No.1” also in the Borough Hall. At this point in the departments history water was supplied through a water main to 50 hydrants. In 1905 the Borough voted to build a fire house on the corner of Academy St. and School St along with a box alarm system in the Borough. The station was completed in 1908; all of the fire apparatus with the exception of the Rough & Ready Hose Co.
