Our History

The Arlington Fire District began in the roots of a volunteer company called Arlington Engine Company Number 1, which had evolved out of the American Chemical Protection Company in the early 1920s. The Arlington Fire District was created by Town of Poughkeepsie town law and over several years other Fire Companies within the town joined the District, namely the Red Oaks Fire Company, the Rochdale Engine Company, and finally the Croft Corners Fire Company. The fire service of the time was a community-based organization that regularly turned out 60-80 people for any event, be it a fire, a dinner or a community dance. Members included firefighters and a Ladies Auxiliary that supported the operations of the fire companies by providing refreshments at large events.

In the 1970s, the small group of paid drivers employed by the District enlisted the help of civil service, unionized, and began standardizing the duties, responsibilities, and treatment of firefighters within the District. The career staff of the District began to grow, adding another 2 in the late 1970s and another 14 in the 1980s. At that time, the county legislature began discussing the need to use Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances countywide and a committee formed within the District that decided to “go ALS”.

In 1990, the Arlington Fire District began providing ALS level prehospital care and over the following 10 years added another 24 members to the career roles. The District has hired 35 additional career staff since 2000 to handle the increasing volume of EMS and Fire calls. A five-member board of Commissioners, elected by the residents of the Fire District and each serving a five year term, governs the District. Management consists of a volunteer Fire Chief, a career Deputy Chief, four volunteer Assistant Chiefs, one career Director of Emergency Medical Services, and one career Assistant Director of Emergency Medical Services. Office staff consists of a Business Manager, Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, and three associated secretarial positions. Members of the District provide fire and EMS services as a municipal organization within the town, but not under the town’s jurisdiction except in abiding by town law.