The Glenville Volunteer Fire Company Inc. is dedicated to protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Glenville and the Town of Greenwich.

Since the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company was organized in June, 1903, all of its successive members have maintained several things in common: a dedication and desire to serve and protect the neighborhood they live in and its surrounding areas, as well as pride in both the community of Glenville and the fire department which protects it. The tools and the diversity of the tasks they are used for have changed, but the firefighters’ job today remains basically the same as it was then.

Prior to the establishment of a fire department on the outskirts of what is now Central Greenwich, there were only three fire departments in town: the Amogerone Hook, Ladder, and Hose Company No. 1 and Volunteer Hose Company No. 2 in downtown Greenwich, and Protection Hose Company, located in what is now Byram. Due to the lack of adequate coverage in the area, it was decided that a fire company was needed in the Glenville area to better handle the requirements of a rapidly growing community.

The Glenville Volunteer Fire Company, with its original complement of 60 members, began its business with the gift of a non-motorized hand pumper, donated by the Byram Company. Within a year of its start, the firemen were operating out of brand new quarters in a building at 14 Riversville Road, which currently houses the Ninth District Veterans Association.

As industry in the area grew, so did this company. With the response time shortened due to the advent of the automobile, better protection was offered to the residents of outlying areas. In 1923, for the grand sum of $8,500.00, the Glenville district received a brand new White pumper. This truck was the result of the joint efforts of the Town of Greenwich and the members of the company, who raised almost half of the amount themselves. This apparatus served well for several years of active service until its eventual replacement in February 1923 by a new 1,000 gallon Seagrave pumper assigned to the station by the Town.

In 1936, after averaging almost fifty fires a year for several years running, the company changed its approach to firefighting and asked for some new equipment. In this plan, the new setup would consist of two smaller pumpers instead of one large one. These new engines would have a greater usefulness among the narrow driveways and winding roads, therefore increasing the efficiency and ease of firefighting operations. An agreement with the Town resulted in two new 500 gallon twin Seagrave pumpers, costing approximately $6,500.00 each, being assigned to Glenville Station. In return, Central Station received the larger Seagrave pumper, which had been maintained in excellent condition.

By the 1950’s, it was obvious that the needs of the company and its apparatus far exceeded the firehouse on Riversville Road. The quiet community of Glenville had grown into a thriving industrial area, based around the felt mill located along the Byram River on what is now Pemberwick Road. During the period of its operation, the mill provided a major source of employment for the area, but also its biggest hazard. In 1951, a new firehouse was dedicated near the original building, at the intersection of Riversville Road and Glenville Road, where it still stands today.

The first 116 years have seen many sweeping changes to the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company. In 1931, with the number of fires on the rise, it was decided that a full-time paid firefighter should be stationed in the firehouse for around-the-clock coverage. A volunteer from the ranks of the Glenville Fire Company, Albert Balco, filled the first position. Today, there are four career firefighters on duty at the Glenville Fire House around-the-clock.

Firefighting since the 1950’s has become increasingly more complex. New developments in virtually  every part of Glenville – building construction, increased use of chemicals in almost every aspect of life, rapidly growing and increasingly populated areas, and increased traffic on the Merrit Parkway and local roads – have made firefighting into a challenging and constantly changing field. Members and Officers must now follow strict training guidelines, established by the Connecticut State Fire Commission and the Town of Greenwich, to National Fire Academy standards. This ensures a well-trained and qualified body of both male and female firefighters which respond not only to fire calls and emergencies within our district, but to all parts of the town as well.

The Fire Company provided for many years, in addition to its firefighting and rescue duties, a volunteer ambulance corps. This, along with other ambulance corps based out of the various Fire Departments in town, was disbanded in the late 1980’s to allow the emergence of the Greenwich Emergency Medical Services (GEMS). The Glenville Fire Police is another unit of the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company, and has provided services both directing traffic and protecting fire scenes and property during fire company operations, allowing firefighters to do their job safely and efficiently.

The Glenville Volunteer Fire Company today is a modern, well equipped, highly skilled and trained department that consistently provides an exceptionally high standard of firefighting, rescue, and special services to the community that it serves. Its membership strives to create and maintain pride and good relations not only within the department, but also within the entire community. The members and officers of the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company thank you for your support, and will continue to serve you, the community of Glenville, and the Town of Greenwich with technical expertise, training, and enthusiasm for many years to come.