Annual Rapid Hose Firematic Seminar

Thank you for stopping by to find out more information about this years seminar. 

This year we bring you an outstanding panel including:

Firefighter Jeff Cool was a paid firefighter for over 20 years serving with the Untied States Air Force, New York Air National Guard, Stewart International Airport and with the New York City Fire Department. Jeff served with both Ladder 19 of the South Bronx and with the elite 
Rescue 3.
Jeff has had numerous citations for both bravery and heroism. Jeff is also a life member of the Rockland County Volunteer Firefighters Association. Firefighter Cools career came to a crashing halt on January 23, 2005 when he and five other firefighters became trapped on the top floor of a four story illegally converted apartment building and were forced to make the decision to jump and hope for the best or stay and be burned alive.

Firefighter Cool provides a first hand account of the fatal fire that occurred on January 23, 2005 that has been dubbed“Black Sunday”. January 23, 2005 was the deadliest fire involving FDNY since the September 11th attacks in 2001. 

Retired Rescue 3 Firefighter Jeff Cool , a survivor and only Firefighter carrying a rope that day discusses the events of the fire and why every Firefighter in the country should carry a personal safety system. Firefighter Cool brings you inside the firewith him and discusses how close he came to death.This presentation runs for 2.5 to 3 hours and provides insight on how personal safety systems can and will make a difference.

Firefighter Cool also points out recent mishaps involving Firefighters across North America where personal safety systems could have made a difference. This course is a must for all Firefighters and Fire Officer

Mickey Conboy

Mickey Conboy is a 27-year veteran assigned to Squad 41 in the Bronx. He was previously assigned to Rescue Co. 3, Ladder Co. 37 and Engine Co. 79. Conboy is an adjunct instructor with the FDNY Fire Academy and a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine.

 Billy Butler

He has been a member of FDNY for 17 years. Was assigned to Ladder 6 in  Chinatown in Manhattan. He had the Irons position on 9/11/01. He currently is assigned to Ladder 56 as a Lieutenant. Has 33 years in the fire service both career and volunteer. Past experience includes Fairfax County Fire &Rescue Department

Below you will find the image of the flyer for the event. 
To register for this seminar, print out the flyer. Fill and cut out the bottom form and mail it to Rapid Hose Co 1 87 Hone St Kingston NY, 12401 


Share this by posting it to your Facebook page and contacts, tweet it, or just talk to people about it.. Print some of the flyers out and put them in your firehouse or office. We also have them in many formats, so if you need a PDF of it, just let us know.


Click on the image below, then save the image and print it from where you saved it to. 

The History of Rapid Hose.

A.h. engine co.  Wiltwyck ave

The present company is the successor of:

     Engine co.#1                                          1816

     American engine co.#1                          1886

     American hose co.#2                             1850

     Kingston hose co.#2                              1859

     Clinton hose co.#7                                 1892

     Central hook and ladder co.#1               1910

    a.h. wicks engine co.#4                          1941

Central hook and ladder co.#1 was disbanded and members joined a.h. wicks when organized in 1941.

1816 engine co.#1 until 1850 the succeeded by American hose co.#2. In 1850 this name was changed to Kingston hose co.#2. In 1859 it became known as Clinton hose co.#7 and remained until 1908 when it became central hook and ladder co.#1 and transferred to the central fire station. In 1941 the a.h. wicks engine co.#4 was formed. In 1955 due to the large amount of firemen the board of fire comm. Asked if they would like to established a salvage unit in conjunction with the engine.

Engines                                       salvage

White pumper                           gmc salvage truck

Ford/seagrave 1974               ford salvage truck

                                                         gmc/e-one mini pumper

Rapid hose co.#1   hone street

On June 25 1854 the rapid hose co.#1 was organized and located on abeel st.. In 1868 they moved to their new station on hone st. Rapid hose co.#1 is the oldest continuous fire company in existence in the city of Kingston. In 1854 they had a hose reel that the members pulled to the fire. On 4-11-1890 a horse drawn hose wagon was placed into service. The horses were housed in a stable on the corner of macentee and wurtz streets. In 1914 they go a kohler motorized engine and used that until 1950 when they got a dodge/American la France engine and used it until 1974 when they got a Ford/seagrave engine. Their present day engine was placed into service in 1993 an international/e-one pumper obtained with a grant from senator Larkin's office. They had to house this engine in the rondout fire station until the bay door was enlarged to fit the engine inside with 1 ½” clearance on the mirrors and very little room in the front or rear of the station due to the size of truck.

Excelsior hose co.#4       Hurley ave

On10-8-54 on Hurley ave the successor to excelsior steamer co. On john st. During the civil war the company disbanded to fight in the civil war. In 1863 it was reorganized again in the old Baptist church on crown st. It was destroyed by fire in 1882 and reorganized in 1883 on Hurley ave. They were consolidated into the firehouse with  a.h. wicks on wiltwyck ave. In 2005.

Engines 1955 American la france,1974 ford/seagrave and 1992 gmc/e-one mini pumper.

Union hose co.#4                 east union street

Organized on 10/6/1876 and the successor to the gokey hose co.. In 1894 the old station was tore down to build the current station. The changed their charter in 2005 to mainly operate as a marine fire rescue boat with j.n. cordts hose co..

Engines  1955 American la France

          J.n. cordts co.#8            Delaware ave

Organized ion 1/1/1894 in the name of senator john n.  Cordts. They were the second volunteer fire company in this section of Kingston and there was some protest against forming 2 fire companies in the same area.

Engines  American la France, ford/seagrave and 1992 gmc/e-one mini crew cab pumper.

Inactive or disbanded volunteer fire companies

Wiltwyck hose co.#1    joy's lane

1-1-1857 wiltwyck hose co. Organized. 9-8-1887 wiltwyck hook and ladder co.#1 organized.

Rescue hook and ladder co.#1  rondout station

4-1857 organized

Twaalfskill hose co.#5   Wilber  disbanded

Begun as Washington engine co.#1 in 1859 till 1872. In 1872 superseded by the john t. Hallahan engine co. And it was superseded by the booth hose co.#5 and disbanded in 1880. Twaalfskill hose co. Was organized in 1888.

Cornell hose co.#2   inactive/disbanded  rondout sta.

  in 1867 the company was organized on abeel st. In 1881 was reorganized an incorporated. In 1919 got their first motorized truck. In 1907 chosen to be partially paid.

 Weiner hose co.#6 inactive central station

On 4-2-1878 the Franklin hose co.#6 was organized and stationed on Hasbrouck ave. Until 1908 than they moved to central fire house. On may 2-1884 renamed Ike and Dick hose co. But in 1885 returned to wiener hose co.