Volunteer Fire Association of Tappan, NY

The Volunteer Fire Association of Tappan, NY, established March 28, 1907, provides fire protection for the Tappan Fire District. Tappan is an Unincorporated Hamlet located in the Town of Orangetown in Rockland County, New York.

The Fire Association is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization made up of men and women who live or work in Tappan and the surrounding communities.

TheVolunteer Fire Association of Tappan will be celebrating our 100th Anniversary in 2007.

The Tappan Fire Department is known as Department 21 in the Rockland County Fire Radio System and operates as one unit out of two firehouses.

The original firehouse, "21-100", is located at the corner of Washington Street and Main Street and is owned by the Fire Association. Responding from here are a 1976 Mack Pumper and a 1981 Mack Pumper.

A second firehouse "21-101", was constructed in the early 1970's due to the rapid development on the west side of the railroad tracks that split the fire district. This firehouse, located on Western Highway and owned by the Tappan Fire District, houses a 1974/2005 Mack Rescue Truck, a 1990 Mack Pumper, a 1968 Mack Pumper and a Fire Prevention Trailer.

In 1998, the Fire Association purchased property for the first time in almost 90 years. The gas station across the Sparkill Creek from the Washington Street firehouse was purchased at no cost to the Tappan taxpayers for additional parking, storage and office space. Just as important, the property will expand the options for future expansion or replacement of the existing firehouse, which in the near future will no longer be able to accommodate the size of the new, modern fire apparatus. This building now houses our 1948 Mack and a 1997 Ford Van.

The Chief and Assistant Chief respond to calls in 1997 and 1999 Ford Expeditions

A 1948 Mack, known as "21-500," was in service until the mid-1970's. It was restored by several of our members who worked tirelessly for several years. Their hard work and dedication paid off and the restored truck made its debut at our 75th Anniversary Parade in 1982. The truck became an award-winning antique, winning numerous trophies at shows throughout the area.

A 1931 Ahrens-Fox "Skirmisher", shown in the picture below, was purchased by the Fire Association and was in service from 1931 until the late 1950's, when a 1958 Mack was purchased by the Tappan Fire District, which by that time had taken on the responsibility for trucks and equipment.

The 1958 Mack 750 gpm pumper was in service until the early 1990's when it was replaced by 21-1500. The truck was sold to the Loch Sheldrake Fire Dept. in Sullivan County, NY and has since been sold to an antique truck collector.

The equipment truck shown at left was built in the late 1960's by our members with help from a local company. It was in service until the 1986 Mack MC 21-EQ was placed in service in 1986. Here it is shown along Washington Street by the Palisades Parkway overpass during our 75th Anniversary parade in September of 1982. The Mack MC 21-EQ was sold in December 2004 to Larimore Ambulance & Rescue of Larimore, North Dakota.

Our patch, shown to the left, was designed by Paul Raso, Jr. It has several features that depict the historic background of Tappan and the fire service.

The outer border shows the name of our Association and the date of organization. Our Rockland County Department Number, 21, is shown inside the Maltese Cross at the bottom.

The interior section of the patch portrays Tappan's historic background going back to 1686 and the Tappan Patent. It also shows three of the historic buildings located in Tappan. On the upper left is the '76 House, where Major Andre was held before being hanged for his dealings with Benedict Arnold in 1780. On the upper right is the DeWindt House, where George Washington stayed several times during the period of the American Revolution. At the bottom is the Tappan Reformed Church.

How to Join

If you are interested in joining, please stop at the firehouse located at the corner of Washington Street and Main Street and pick up an application. The best time to stop by is Monday night between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. To join, you must be at least 16 years of age and either live or work in the Tappan Fire District or the surrounding area.

New members start with a six month probation period before they are eligible to be voted in as Active Members. After that, members must participate in at least 24 activities and attend a minimum of 8 monthly meetings each year to remain as Active Members. New members are also expected to complete the Firefighter I Course at the Rockland County Fire Training Center within one year or as soon as possible.

If you do not live in Tappan, please contact your local fire department for information on volunteering or call 1-800-FIRELINE.