Bohemia Historical Society
The Old Firehouse
From bucket brigades to a structured civic institution
Church Street at Walnut Avenue · 1894–1977
Prior to the formalization of fire services in 1893, the residents of Bohemia relied upon informal “Bucket Brigades,” an ad hoc system where neighbors responded to the frantic tolling of church bells or the shouts of residents. While these brigades demonstrated the community’s early spirit of mutual aid, they were fundamentally limited by the lack of specialized equipment and centralized leadership. As Bohemia matured into a self-sustaining hub of cigar manufacturing and hospitality, the inherent risk of its wood-frame architecture necessitated a more robust and professionalized response system.
The impetus for change arrived in the early 1890s, a decade marked by significant civic growth. On January 30, 1893, a pivotal meeting was held to draft plans for a formal volunteer fire company. The assembly moved to officially organize “Hook and Ladder Company No. 1,” a motion carried with unanimous support from the village’s leading families. This moment marked the transition of fire protection from a volunteer impulse into a structured institution.
1893
Charter Membership and Leadership
The charter list of the Bohemia Fire Department serves as a census of the village’s most influential figures during the late nineteenth century. These men took upon themselves the financial and logistical burden of establishing a department in a town that, at the time, lacked a centralized municipal tax base for such services. The original membership included:
Charter Members
Bohemia Fire Department · 1893
- Theodore Gross
- Joseph Fisher
- Charles Sebek
- Joseph Thuma
- Louis Ruzicka
- Vincent Mokracek
- John Cerny
- Louis Sadek
- Joseph Marousek
- Edward Hocker
- Anton Swanda
- Charles Bartik
The department’s early leadership was characterized by a blend of technical skill and community standing. Joseph Novotny, a master carpenter and builder, emerged as a central figure. On May 19, 1893, he was elected the department’s first Foreman—a title that would later evolve into that of Fire Chief. At only 22 years of age, Novotny’s election was a significant endorsement from his peers. Having constructed the town by day, he committed his nights to its preservation from the ever-present threat of fire.
| Key Founder | Initial Role (1893) | Long-term Civic Impact |
|---|---|---|
| William Swanda | Chairperson | Led the foundational meeting for the BFD. |
| Louis Kautsky | Secretary | Documented the early administrative history of the company. |
| Joseph Novotny | First Foreman (Chief) | Oversaw the design and construction of the 1894 firehouse. |
| Joseph Fischer | Proposer | Formally initiated the motion to create Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1. |
| Wenzel V. Kouba | Captain (1902) | Served as Chief in 1911; established 20th-century structure. |
1894
Geographic Significance and Layout
By the end of 1893, the newly formed department recognized the immediate need for a dedicated headquarters. The community secured a parcel of land on the south side of Church Street, at the corner of Walnut Avenue. This location was strategically chosen to place the headquarters at the literal and metaphorical center of Bohemia.
Directly facing the firehouse on the northwest corner was Mazanek’s, a prominent establishment that functioned as a general store, post office, and eventually a hotel and saloon. This proximity created a natural gathering place for residents. The firehouse stood at a geographic nexus where secular civic duty met social life and religious mourning, located near the Union Cemetery.
The “Old Firehouse” was constructed throughout the spring and summer of 1894. The building was a two-story wooden structure designed with a focus on both functional utility and community congregation. The interior was divided by floor to serve distinct, though equally vital, purposes:
The Ground Floor
Dedicated entirely to the storage and maintenance of firefighting apparatus. It featured large double doors facing Church Street to allow for rapid deployment. Initially reinforced for hand-drawn carts, it would eventually be modified for heavy motorized engines.
The Second Floor
Functioned as the civic and cultural brain of the village. It served as the department’s formal meeting hall, where administrative decisions occurred, and became a cultural sanctuary, hosting rehearsals for musical groups and community social events.
1893–1960
Technological Evolution
The history of the Old Firehouse is also a history of technological modernization. For nearly seven decades, the equipment stored within its walls evolved from human-powered tools to sophisticated mechanical engines.
The Era of Manual Power (1893–1914) The department’s first acquisition was a “Ramsey” hand-drawn hook and ladder truck, acquired for $375. It required the sheer physical strength of the volunteer force to pull it through the sandy, unpaved roads of Bohemia.
The Transition to Chemical and Horse Power (1915–1919) By 1915, the department upgraded to a horse-drawn chemical fire truck carrying a 40-gallon “soda acid” tank. This created pressurized carbon dioxide to propel water or foam onto a fire—a major leap from simple buckets.
Motorization and the Modern Era (1920–1960) In 1920, the department purchased a motorized Reo truck for $2,500, ending the horse-drawn era. They continued to modernize with the “Diamond T,” becoming a staple of mid-century response capability.
| Date | Equipment Type | Specifications / Cost | Impact on Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1893 | Ramsey Hook & Ladder | Hand-drawn; $375 | Provided first structured equipment. |
| 1915 | Chemical Fire Truck | Horse-drawn; 40gal tank | Improved extinguishing speed. |
| 1920 | Reo Motorized Truck | Motorized; $2,500 | Drastically reduced response times. |
| 1940s | Diamond T Truck | Modern pumper | Standardized mid-century firefighting. |
Culture
Musical Tradition & Civic Celebrations
The second floor of the firehouse was the primary rehearsal space for the village’s musical ensembles. In the 1920s and 30s, the Bohemia Fire Department sponsored a full brass band. On Monday evenings, the sounds of cymbals, drums, bugles, and trombones would drift through the open windows, providing a soundtrack for the residents. These groups eventually evolved into the “Czechmates,” a band that performed at parades and community events across Long Island, often wearing uniforms that mirrored those of the active firemen.
On Monday evenings, the sounds of cymbals, drums, bugles, and trombones would drift through the open windows.
The firehouse served as the emotional anchor for Bohemia’s most significant civic events. The 1918 Decoration Day parade began near the firehouse, and when news of the Armistice arrived on November 11, 1918, it was the site of spontaneous jubilation. It also functioned as a place of collective mourning, such as when the community gathered to honor Fire Warden Frank Cizek following his tragic line-of-duty death in 1937.
1934–1938
The “Suicide Squad” Racing Team
Undefeated in Suffolk County
Middle Row: Joseph Navratil, Frank Satava, Jack Heitman, Emil Cejka, Frank Tmay, Jr., William Hartman, Barney Stejskal, Harry Magnusson
Back Row: Robert Ripak, Joseph Tmay
Perhaps the most legendary chapter in the history of the Old Firehouse was the “Suicide Squad” racing team. Firefighter motorized racing was a popular and dangerous sport on Long Island in the 1930s, involving high-speed maneuvers, ladder climbs, and hose hookups. Originally known as the “Bear Cats,” the name was changed to the “Suicide Squad” to reflect the high-speed, high-risk nature of their drills.
The Suicide Squad reached the pinnacle of its success between 1934 and 1938, during which time they remained undefeated in Suffolk County competition. Their practice sessions at a dedicated wooden racing track often drew large crowds of families who would bring picnic lunches to watch the three-man ladder teams and hose races.
The Roster of Champions
- William “Scobie” Schovanec Joined in 1933, a bugler for the band, and dedicated over 75 years of service.
- Frank “Babe” Tmay Jr. Renowned as the fastest ladder climber in the county.
- Harry “Chappie” Kovanda The team’s precision racing truck driver.
- Andrew “Andy” Reichel A core squad member who later served as Chief in 1942.
1962–1977
The Move and the Loss of a Landmark
In May 1962, the Bohemia Fire Department officially relocated its headquarters to a modern facility on Pearl Street. For the next 15 years, the building stood as a silent sentinel at the corner of Church and Walnut, serving as a nostalgic landmark of the village’s humble beginnings. The shift was further confirmed in 1975 when the department dedicated an even larger headquarters at 950 Pearl Street, capable of housing high-tech pumpers and advanced life support ambulances.
In 1977, the historic Old Firehouse was itself consumed by fire.
The final chapter of the physical building was written in a profound irony. In 1977, the historic Old Firehouse was itself consumed by fire. Despite the efforts of the very department that had been born within its walls, the 83-year-old wood-frame structure was completely destroyed. The 1977 fire served as a catalyst for the Bohemia Historical Society, emphasizing the fragility of wood-frame history and prompting a more aggressive approach to preservation across the village.
