Bohemia

History of the Bohemia Fire Department

The hamlet of Bohemia was settled in the 1850’s, predominately by immigrants from Czechoslovakia seeking political freedom and by other European immigrants. At the time, the area was heavily wooded and area homes and farms needed protection from disastrous brush (forest) fires that often swept through the area. On January 31, 1893, thirteen men held an organizational meeting at Union Hall to form the Bohemia Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. Those present included Joseph Novotny, John Wild, Theodore Gross, Joseph Fisher, Charles Sebek, Joseph Thuma, Louis Ruzicka, Rev. John H. Prescott, Judge John Z. O’Brien, William Swanda, Charles Ruzicka, Thomas Bartick and Louis Kautsky. Several of these families have descendents that reside in Bohemia and continue to be members of the Department.

The Department’s first fire truck was a Ramsey hand-drawn hook and ladder truck purchased in 1893 for $375. It was delivered by train from NY City and paraded from the Sayville train station to Bohemia. A dress code was established at the Company’s second meeting to consist of: black pants, red shirts, fireman’s caps and belts. By-laws were formulated and 60 copies printed for distribution to the new members. These by-laws were stringent; a set of rules for proper, gentlemen-like behavior fashioned in a regimented military style. Failure to obey the rules was costly, with stiff penalties dealt for those not abiding to the By-laws. On May 19, 1893 Joseph Novotny was elected the first Foreman of the new Company.

The first fire house was constructed in 1894 on the Corner of Church Street and Walnut Avenue. In 1915 the first ‘chemical engine’ was purchased, it had a tank filled with soda acid for small fires, but was hand drawn. The first motorized fire apparatus was purchased in 1920. The new motorized chemical truck had a 40 gallon soda acid tank mounted on a Reo chassis. The truck carried hooks, ladders and axes in addition to the soda acid delivered via a hose reel (acid when mixed with soda water in the tank creates a pressurized water stream).

During 1921, there was a name change from the "Bohemia Hook and Ladder Company No. 1" to the "Bohemia Fire Department." Bohemia’s only line of duty death occurred on April 20^th, 1937 when firefighter Frank Cizek, an Islip Town Fire Warden and Bohemia volunteer firefighter died during a brush fire in the Sportsman’s Southside Woods (now Connetquot River State Park) at Pond Road and O’Neil Path.

In 1950, Community Ambulance Company was created to increase response time for medical emergencies. Bohemia members voted to join the ambulance district, with many members also joining and assisting the new ambulance company. Today, Bohemia Fire Department responds to EMS calls as a certified first responder agency to stabilize the patient and assist Community Ambulance members upon their arrival.

The first meeting of the Bohemia Fire Department in our present Main firehouse was held on February 21, 1961. A substation was constructed in 1975, under Chief Allen ‘Bones’ Behounek, due to the fact that the population of fire district doubled within the past decade.

During the first hours and days after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Bohemia Fire Department was called in for mutual aide with an engine assigned to a FDNY firehouse while its members were assigned to the World Trade Center site.

The Fire Department continues to be a key organization in serving the residents of Bohemia. The department holds annual parades for Memorial Day and its very popular Christmas Parade with Santa. It hosts blood drives, Adopt-A-Family programs, scholarships for college bound seniors, fire prevention training and First Aid & CPR classes to further help the community. The Department also is active in the Bohemia Civic Association and is a member of the Friends of the Connetquot River State Park.

Much of the information found on this page was taken from the Bohemia Fire Department’s A Century of Dedication 1893-1993 Centennial Celebration book by Elaine Ryder Thompson. Anyone wishing to read the book for research on the history of Bohemia or for personal enjoyment can find a copy at the Connetquot Public Library Reference Desk or contact us at (631) 589-2555.