Remembering Where We Started

The Helena Volunteer Fire Department started in 1954 as the Helena Volunteer Firemen's Auxiliary. The department started with 15 men that were operating out of Bernard Shorette's barn. Bernard as well as Gerald Burns were the only active charter members. Burns recalled the members often having to give $5 out of their own pockets for fuel in the winter.

Bernard Shorette and Gerald Burns were on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony in 1958 of the then newly acquired site on the Deer River Road (now Quinell Road) which was donated by Albert Santimaw.   The new station was opened in 1963. The department received a second donation of a tanker from the Brasher Fire Department.

The Helena Volunteer Fire Department received a third donation from Adeline Quinell Yaddow in 1983. Adeline's monetary donation was going to be used to update and remodel the fire station. It allowed the department to grow and add a 24 ft by 34 ft truck bay on the south side of the building which then had 3 equipment bays, it also allowed for the addition of a dining hall, kitchen, and utility room along the back of the building. Also, in 1983 Helena Volunteer Fire Department would lead the way for women firefighters in St. Lawrence County by adding Margaret M. Burns as the first volunteer fireman on the roster. Margaret would go on to become a certified interior firefighter.

The Helena Volunteer firemen would operate out of this building until 2003, where they would move to their current location on NY37C.

This move was made possible by the donation of land by then chief's mother Margaret Burns. In 2002 demolition started of the old barn that occupied the land. The fire department would hold a live burn to remove it from the area. Construction would cost an estimated $200,000 and  would start immediately afterwards the land was cleared The new station was opened in 2003 with an open house. The building would have 6 truck bays, a community room, offices, radio room, bathroom/shower areas, and a full kitchen.

The department would eventually add a second garage outback of the building for more vehicle/apparatus storage. The department continues to grow and change everyday, however we will never forget where we started.